Ty is ridiculously strong and more than capable of overpowering Gemma physically. What really gives him the upper hand in the struggle between them, though, is that he knows how to live in the middle of nowhere on his own. The key to controlling Gemma isn't physical force, but letting her experience the reality that she has nowhere to turn except to him. She can't hack it on her own without him.
So, while Ty himself is pretty intimidating, it's his mental power that makes him a frightening character; in the end, he knows Gemma's inability to survive in the desert will keep her in his clutches. Despite this upper hand, though, Stolen's core conflict is the power struggle between the two of them—Gemma yearns for freedom, trying to get to it by any means, while Ty is unwilling to let her go.
Questions About Power
- How does Ty manipulate Gemma into letting him buy her coffee and engaging her in the conversation that leads to her abduction? Do a close reading of that section and really dissect how Ty pulls this off.
- On a couple of occasions, Ty lets Gemma run away, only to go rescue her and bring her back. Why does he do this? How is he exercising his power over her?
- Why is the idea of accepting Ty so frightening to Gemma? How does she try to fight against it?
- Could Gemma have resisted Ty's efforts to control her at the airport? Do you think it would have thwarted his plan, or would he have tried something else?
Chew on This
Ty's capacity for mental manipulation is more powerful than his physical strength.
Ty allows Gemma to run away not as a way of freeing her but to heighten his control over her.