As the story unfolds, we get hints that this is not simply a historical drama. Powder is the victim of a super-traumatic birth. And he says he remembers it. But that isn't all he remembers. He remembers all the books he has ever read, reads minds and knows what people are thinking.
Powder facilitates the healing of broken relationships.
However, none of this matters. We watch as professionals, police, and bullies discover, in turn, his amazing abilities and benefit personally from his amazing skills. Notwithstanding, they turn on him and abuse him. His great humanity and virtue are ignored. Even his magical powers are ignored.