All_the_Kings_Men

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. willie, people, politics, men, kings, jack, book, way, reputation, power, political, best, warren, today, think, stark, robert, powerful, politicians, novel, idea, good, corrupt, control, consequences, concerned, character, blackmail, being, willie's, time, theme, story, situation, selfish, say, responsible, reality, puts, politician, point, person, penn, past, out, one, once, morals, man, life