All the Kings Men
All the Kings Men, by Robert Penn Warren is the story of a political icon in the 1930's. Rising from a poverty-stricken home to become governor of the state was not an easy life. Politics is a game of willpower and manipulation, not ideals (Warren 30). Willie puts forth a great deal of energy into keeping his powerful political position. By the use of blackmail and bullying, he coaxes his enemies into submission. His most fearful enemy is Sam MacMurfee; he constantly tries to pull Willie down off his political throne. The author puts emphasis on the fact that Willie starts out a good, honest man opposed to a system filled with blackmail, bribery, and trickery; but he is ultimately forced to master it. All the Kings Men is also the story of Jack Burden, Willie's right hand man. Jack turns away from his good-natured upbringing, joins Willies rough group of allies and hired thugs, and just walks away from all his past interests. Jack's job is to use his gifts as a historical researcher to dig up information and secrets of Willie's enemies. Jack struggles with the idea of responsibility. He attempts to avoid the idea that actions have consequences, and individuals are responsible for those consequences. Jack considers him
All the Kings Men explored a lot of the negative aspects of the American way of life. Our motives can be selfish and greedy, but undeniably a reality. You see it when you turn on your TV, open a magazine or flip on your radio. America is in desperate need of reevaluating their morals and ideals. One large factor the book hadn't mentioned was God. He has influenced me and shaped me into the person I am today. I'm sure if Willie Stark and the other politicians had God, they wouldn't be as greedy, power hungry, and corrupt as they are. I think people can change and even America can change. "It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow" -Robert H. Goddard. An important theme in the novel was reputation. Being a politician, Willie was constantly in the public eye, and greatly concerned with how the people perceived him. He wanted the people to have no knowledge of his wrong doings and immoral decisions. John Wooden once said, "Be more concerned with your character than your reputation because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are". The truth is all of us desire a good reputation. Who doesn't want people to think highly of them? In All the Kings Men, Willie Stark and other politicians struggled with characte
Some common words found in the essay are:
Willie Stark, Burden Willie's, Penn Warren, York Times, Sam MacMurfee, Anne Stanton, John Wooden, Willie Jack, Willie Adam, Al Kings, willie stark, responsible consequences, anne stanton, character reputation, people powerful, penn warren, robert penn warren, willie stark politicians, stark politicians, robert penn,
Approximate Word count = 914
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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