Answer:
In the novel Arn says, “And I know then I have power.” The kind of power he has is fame. If he ever gets caught doing something wrong, like sneaking out which happens a lot throughout the story, the guards will think twice about killing him. If it was a normal person the Khmer Rouge would have instantly killed him, but because Arn has this fame they think twice and let him live. He got this fame by joining the band that he volunteered for. If his band couldn’t perform in a certain amount of time, they would all die. This motivation really moved Arn and made him learn to play his instrument well. When it was time to perform to everyone, they all liked it very much. It made Arn an hit and gave him his fame. Arn uses his fame to get on everyone’s good side, like Sombo’s and other people along the story. He also uses it when he gets caught sneaking food to his friends or just sneaking out, and the guards let him live.