Healing Power

I think a lot of it has to do with power- as in, power over others. Leetah struggled with it as well. As a strong-willed person, and the only healer in Blue Mountain, Winnowil had the opportunity, force of personality and time to exercise control over the minds and bodies of the other Gliders. And she did.

It's easy to picture the same phenomenon happening with people. Imagine, first of all, that you feel you don't have any real outlet for expressing yourself. Perhaps a talent or gift you've never developed- or dreams you've never realized. Maybe you are stuck in middle management, when you know you are smarter and more competent than your boss. Maybe you are a parent, trying to live vicariously through your children- only to realize your child has different dreams, or have your offspring cease to be complacent. Maybe you wanted to be an amazing musician or artist, but ended up with a career in restaurant management. Or maybe you went into politics, full of ideals, only to discover the system was corrupt. What kind of frustration would you feel? How personally unfulfilled?

Now... imagine that you have the means- either through money or influence or simply a position of authority- to exercise your will over others. That might fill the gap. Now add in that you think you know what's good for the people under you better than they know themselves. You would probably behave just like Winnowil. You would manipulate the people above you- and control or bully the people beneath you.. all because you know best.

Yes, you might act like Winnowil... or an overbearing parent... a bullying boss... or a wealthy and corrupt politician.

When all that's holding you back is your ethics- it's very easy to slip into that kind of role.

That, I think, is why Leetah is a good contrast to Winnie. The only thing that separates them is ethics. Leetah holds herself in check- because she knows that it's the right thing to do to let others make their own decisions, even if she sometimes wishes they would choose differently. And she has clearly struggled with it.