Fiction Reading Response: Tension of Power and Resistance in Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran

     “I'm not staring. I'm observing. . . . And what do you observe? . . . A brave young woman who has always fought for what was right, even when it was unpopular.” Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran is a book about twin orphans from the royal family in Egypt are taken to Rome in chains when Octavian conquers Egypt. As they come of age, they are buffeted by the personal ambitions of Octavian's family and court, by the ever-present threat of slave-rebellion, and by the longings deep within their hearts. Throughout the story Selene, her brother Alexander, and many other characters are swept up in a storm of rebellion and power. In the book I learned that people will do anything to stay in power and go to extremes to show that, I also learned that people will do anything to protect the one they love and to protect what they believe in.

     In the book Cleopatra is willing to destroy everything to protect it from being defiled. For example, in the book when the Romans enter Alexandria she prepares for the Mausoleum to be burned along with all the Egyptian treasures. She is so against the Roman beliefs she will do anything to protect her culture from the roman ways because she believes they are not worthy. In addition when the Romans enter the palace Cleopatra commits suicide. This shows she will do anything to be free of the shame and despair being taken to a country that goes against everything she believes in that she would take her own life.

     In the book Octavian does everything possible to stay in power. For example, when Octavian returns from Egypt he learns that his nephew would have been a candidate for replacing him if he did not return. When he hear this he has his own nephew murdered. This shows that he will not even risk having a chance of anyone being a threat to him in the future that he would kill members of his own family who have not done anything yet "just to be safe". Also, when someone attempts to assassinate Octavian during a play, under the guidance of a rebel who goes by The Red Eagle, Octavian stops the grain dole to the city as punishment. This shows that he is willing to starve his own, whole, city because of what one person attempted to do.

     In conclusion power and resistance are important themes in the book. Through the book it demonstrates how unstable the world is and how people are so desperate for power. On the other hand it also shows how people are willing to stand up for whats right no matter what. I believe that people can learn alot from this book because is has many important lessons on how to recognize when power is being abused and how resist it. The characters in Cleopatra's Daughter teach us what it takes to survive in a world where everyone is fighting to be in control.