DIRECTIONS for 3rd posting due March 10

Here's what to do for the posting due Tuesday March 10.  (NOTE: make sure to read that due date!  I'm posting this early in case you want to start thinking about this as you finish the book.)
 Use quotes and/or examples from the book to support your arguments.
1.  Make a heirarchy of the male characters.  At the top put who is "GOOD" and on down to who is "BAD".  Hard to do, isn't it?   Argue for your placement of the characters in this order.
2.  Make a heirarchy of the female characters from Good to Bad, and argue for why you placed them in their positions on your hierarchy.

For the comment due Thursday March 12:

  Post a comment on someone else's heirarchy.  Add to their thinking about how/why they placed the characters however they did on their hierarchy.

DIRECTIONS for second blog posting

Second blog posts (through chapter 7) are due Monday, March 2
   We finally learn the story of what went down between Anne and Jack!  And a whole heap of mess.  Here are some juicy topics for this blog post:

• There are many COUPLINGS in this section.  How do they compare?
• How does the Jack-and-Anne story compare with the Cass-and-Annabelle story?
• How does Jack view women?
• How is Jack's philosophy on life evolving?
• Why is it that everyone who is seeking some big Answer to Life heads West?
• Will Jack's real father please stand up?  Oh the irony!

Jack Kolb - It Will Take All the King's Men to Read This Book!

     As one traverses alongside Jack, to the unfamiliar mind a great deal of slang, literary styles, and habits particular to the South interrupt the engaging flow of the story, forcing the reader to puzzle over their meaning, causing two learning experiences for the reader: one of the eternal infusion of corruption in politics, and another a mastery in decryptography.

     The first and foremost southern idiosyncrasy is the use of obscure, bizarre, and creative similes to aid powerful imagery throughout the book, present in most every situation.

..like a surprised custard pie with a hole scooped in the middle of the meringue.. (Page 130)

..the grin was about as convincing as cold chicken broth in a boarding house.. (Page 172)

..like some window-plant in an invalid's room, grown out of a bottle.. (Page 225) 

     Another literary theme in the narrative, less exclusive to the South but wonderfully used in the book, are the myriad of small phrases of imagery that fully describe the world with minimal use of words. Whether Warren's stellar use of effective miniature descriptions is unique to the book or a common expertise in Southern literature, it is an impressive and notable idiosyncrasy that seems uncommon in modern Western literature.

"The slow withering of the green wisp of dream"
"tow-headed snots"
"breathless monotony
"looked like water, smelled like kerosene, and tasted like carbolic acid: one-run corn whisky"
"the pulsing sunset world of April"

     A third Southern-ism is the unique combination of formal and informal language. Many cringe at thought or remembrance of reading All the King's Men, perhaps for this very reason. It appears that Warren wrote his masterpiece without thinking of the intended audience, his day-by-day moods and attitudes reflected in the different styles of writing present, causing a reader unaccustomed to advanced literature to struggle with harder sections, and advanced readers to puzzle over the more basic and slang-ridden sections of the narrative. Without an intended audience, a specific "reading difficulty" label can not be placed on this book, and perhaps many others by Southern authors, as unlike Dickens or Dr. Seuss this book provides challenges for both parties.

     It is always interesting to seek and spot the small habits of authors, and notice the little repeated patterns present throughout the piece as intricate and beautiful as this. As the story unfolds further, I will certainly be watching out for the small minute details -often overlooked- that reveal the true beauty of a book, and literature as a whole.

CCQC All the Kings Men-Eleanor Waterhouse

All the Kings Men is a book that uses political workings as a front that is truly about exploring the human psyche and the deeper meanings of living. Robert Penn Warren uses the controversial figure of Willie Talos, aka Huey Long, to draw his audience in. Once he has them, Warren uses intricate metaphors and southernisms to eloquently illustrate his view of life. For example; at the beginning of the book, on page thirteen, Warren begins his paragraph explaining the character of Willie Talos and the passion behind his speech-making and ends up with a much deeper point. Warren compares Talos's speeches to an unopened envelope and goes on to describe the envelope; "The end of man is knowledge, but there is one thing he can't know. He can't know whether knowledge will save him or kill him. He will be killed, all right, but he can't know whether he is killed because of the knowledge which he has got or because of the knowledge which he hasn't got and which if he had it, would save him. There's cold in your stomach, but you open the envelope, you have to open the envelope, for the end of man is to know."(13) This particular quote is explaining man's hunger for knowledge that will eventually lead to his demise because he cannot know all. Warren uses political pretenses because much of man's nature is stripped down to the gristle and bone of good and evil in the world of politics. Warren continues to draw deep meanings throughout the book. As the storyline progresses, Talos's actions and those around him, such as the judge, become more blurred between the line of good and evil and so do Warren's conclusions. As the story becomes more tangled, Warren mirrors this bramble by adding more layers to his picture of human nature, thereby creating a finished product complete with complexity. 

Greetings from Jury Duty

Here I sit, doing my civic duty.  As I wait for the lawyers to decide whether or not they need my services on a jury, I have read through all your blog posts about All The King's Men.   Izzy Snow had a great thesis and splendid evidence to support it; perhaps you would like to add to her evidence (or Will Sileo's) about how Willie is Machiavellian.  Finn had a delectable description of the Southern style of insult; perhaps you'd like to add another example that fits his description of how Southerners blend "relatable experiences and more existential themes" to craft an insult.  Lexie also noted how Southerners liked to mix some low, bawdy, or potty humor with more high-brow or even Biblical lingo.  

I have watched the two different movie versions of the book, and was satisfied with neither.  Both directors decided to make changes to the story, and that irritated me.  And the characters were not at all how I imagined them.  I'll be interested to hear what you think.

Hopefully I'll see you Thursday!

Brooks Weller ATKM Post #1

What does Jack do for Willie?

As the story progresses in All The King’s Men, it has become evident that Jack serves as a very influential and wise sidekick to Willie Talos. Jack has proven his worth over and over as he tackles the colorful range of occupations and jobs assigned to him by Willie - ranging from “digging up dirt” on political competition, to being a personal advisor, to just simply being a friend. Jack begins his advising career for Willie when Willie comes to question how to make his personal speeches better, at the beginning of his political career. Being an honest and truthful man, Jack offers his views clearly and states, “You tell’ em too much. Just tell’ em you’re gonna soak the fat boys, and forget the rest of the tax stuff”(102). This simple but clear statement is just one of many pieces of advice that Jack will provide Willie Talos throughout his political campaign, demonstrating his honesty and earning himself a job for Willie in the future. Jack, also being an educated historian, has as part of his job times when he needs to “dig up dirt” on political rivals or those that don’t support Willie. Specifically, he needs to “dig up dirt“ on Judge Irwin, a man who once was a father figure to him. “The Boss said: “Well, Jackie, it looks like you got a job cut out for you.”

And I said: “Callahan?”

And he said: “Nope, Irwin” (71). While this help shows the range of the jobs Jack does

for Willie, it also shows the level of professionalism Jack has toward his career. Despite knowing the Judge throughout his whole life, and being close to him, he takes on this job for Willie with complete honesty and unbiased research and conclusions. Jack’s level of professionalism and candid advice makes him a greatly valued associate to Willie, and also earns him his respect and friendship throughout the craziness of it all.  

Hennessey- ATKM post 1

What does Jack do for Willie?

  In All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren, the protagonist and narrator Jack Burden, receives a job from local politician Willie Talos solely for the purpose of giving Willie the truth and for doing whatever Willie asks him to do. The reason that Willie hired Jack was because when running for mayor the first time Jack was one of the few people who would actually tell him how he was doing. For example when Willie asked Jack how he thinks WIllie is doing during the race Jack gives him a straight up honest answer which ended up helping Willie in the long run by getting criticism so he could improve. "I heard the speech. But they don't give a damn about that... Tell 'em anything. But for sweet Jesus' sake don't try to improve their minds" (102). Then later that scene Willie asks how Jack thinks the speech is going and Jack replies in the most honest way. “I heard that kind of talk. It gets around, I said. It not any secret. Then he demanded “Do you think it’s true?”(103).  The way Jack replies is in a manner that he doesn't really cares what happens so he will just say the truth no matter what. He's not going to give WIllie bullshit so that it will affect his campaign. This kind of truth and advice is what really brings Willie to making the decision to offer Jack the job. So when Willie hires Jack, he doesn't even have a specific job for him.  "'what do I do for the job?'  'Hell, I don't know... Something will turn up'" (153). Willie hires Jack not to do an assignment but because Willie knows that by having Jack by his side he will benefit thoroughly. WIllie asks Jack to do all sorts of jobs from then on, this includes moving lazy dogs, listening in on meeting, giving opinions  and his newest job yet is to dig up dirt on his fatherly figure Judge Irwin. The Judge sponsored a different politician rather than Willie, and so WIllie wants to take him down. Jack does not want to let down Willie although the judge was and still is a huge part of Jacks life. This just proves the loyalty of Jack to Willie. The fact that Jack digs up dirt on the judge shows who Jack is really rooting for. Jack does work for Willie, but Jack is so much more to Willie than just an employee. Willie looks to Jack for his most secretive work, and for his most honest opinion. Willie knows that by having Jack by his side he will continue being the govenor.

Sileo - Blog Post #1

Is Willie Machiavellian?

Together, Willie Talos and Jack Burden exemplify a Machiavellian attitude on life. Willie exemplifies the action of Machiavelli, and Jack exemplifies the outlook. Willie will do whatever it takes to get his power, using his system of "getting dirt" on political rivals to sway votes in his favors. He believes that since no one else is playing fair, there is no reason he should either. When Jack asks how he is supposed to dig up dirt on the judge, an extremely honest man, Willie tells him, "Man is conceived in sin and born in corruption and he passeth from the stink of the didie to the stench of the shroud. There is always something." (223) Willie tells Jack this because he believes that no matter what, men in power will always have done something wrong at some time, and whether or not the ends justified the means, using them will justify the means of Willie Talos.

Jack, on the other hand,  exemplifies the attitude and outlook on life that Machiavelli would have. He sees everyone scurrying around him with a rather disinterested and detached view, that allows him to do something as atrocious as dig up dirt on someone who basically raised him from childhood, occupying the father figure in his life. Judge Irwin is one of the most upstanding figures that Jack knows, and was there for Jack when his father left him to be a priest, caring for the "unfortunates" who became more his children than Jack ever was. And yet, Jack still goes on a methodical search lasting 6 months for the one scrap of evidence that Willie Talos can use to discredit the judge. "A student of history does not care what he digs out of the ash-pile, the midden, the sublunary dung heap which is the human past." (223) Jack even admits it himself. He is so disinterested in the world that he has morals that are worth next to nothing and an insatiable curiosity to boot. He strangely reminds me of Holden Caulfield in the way that he simply cannot relate to life anymore, similar to Holden Caulfield. Whereas Holden simply cannot stand what he has become, Jack embraces it, and uses it to great extent in the service of Willie Talos.

Sofia Wildvine ATKM #1

 Jack does many jobs for Willie and assists him with an array of tasks, the most important of which is "digging up dirt" on Willie's enemies and competitors in politics.  In the very first chapter we are shown how loyal Jack is to Willie, and how much work he is willing to put in to help Willie win and even give up his own morals.  Early in the book, during chapter one, we are introduced to the corruption of Willie and Jack. They had been previously described as not super likable gentlemen: Willie bathing in his power and using it to control others, while Jack prides himself of his skills of researching the "dirt" and past of others.  Since the author already gave the reader a fair description of the characters, it was not difficult to believe and imagine that Willie would order Jack, (in Willie's bossy manner), to research "dirt" to bring down a component.  After dinner at the farm the day that everyone drove up to Mason city, Willie announces that he, Jack, and Sugar-Boy will be going for a drive. He orders Sugar-Boy to drive the Cadillac to Burden's Landing, more than a hundred miles away. They go to Judge Irwin's, almost to threaten him that they could find dirt on him just as he did on Callahan.  Jack says, "Somebody dug up some dirt for you, huh?" "If you choose to call it that," the Judge said. "Dirt's a funny thing," the Boss said. "Come to think of it, there ain't a thing but dirt on this green God's globe except whats under water, and that's dirt too. Its dirt makes the grass grow. A diamond ain't a thing in the world but a piece of dirt that got awful hot....It all depends on what you do with the dirt. That right?" (66).  He strongly implies to Judge Irwin that he could find dirt on him and he could potentially loose his job as Judge.  As the author describes the event, we see  beginning of the end for Jack and Willie.   Jack thinks that it is okay to research the past about an enemy and use it as blackmail. The quote above shows how Jack thinks of blackmail.  He thinks of it as a material that can be used in many ways, he sees it is opportunity to make a "diamond" out of it, meaning use it as a threat to someone to get his way or bring down a competitor in politics.  Once he was very successful at digging up dirt about Judge Irwin, he prides himself, thus beginning his career in corruption and blackmail.  

CCQC 1

What particular southern-isms are you noticing?

   In All The King's Men, Robert Penn Warren uses impressive, complex and decisive insults and observations that can be related to the southern vocabulary. A 'Southern' insult is often more colorful than a typical one. It is usually longer, and, if executed properly, can provide a metaphorical and existential blow. Not only are 'Southern' insults very different from typical ones, but commentary and description is superior as well. The stereotype of 'Southern' storytelling is that it is, when compared to a more typical form, more long-winded, and with better vocabulary. For instance, in one remark Jack makes on 'Tiny Duffy,' advanced and decisive vocabulary is used to provide the reader an insight into Jack's opinion. "Tiny Duffy is as sebaceous a fat-ass as ever made the spring groan in a swivel chair." This single quote provides an insight into Jack's opinion of Tiny Duffy. This quote is made more effective by the fusion of both formal and informal vocabulary, for instance " ... sebaceous a fat-ass ..." Reading this use of language is almost like being slapped around, with the Southern circumlocution and a different type of almost minimalistic narration that proves the point long before the synonyms and clarifications arrive. In this single quote, the point of the statement is quickly established, followed by " ... as ever made the spring groan in a swivel chair" The initial setup amplifies the follow-up to new levels that couldn't be achieved if the two were presented independently. Descriptions in the Southern style are very figurative, yet can be connected to reality with ease. For instance when Jack is sitting on a bench with several elderly people: "The place where time gets tangled in its own feet and lies down like a old hound that gives up the struggle." The element of relatable experiences and more existential themes are melded perfectly in this single description of a meeting place for old people. It provides a deeper insight into life, and what stage the people are in in their individual lives, without even addressing them individually or going into great depth to provide meaning to the simple scene. This is a perfect example of a piece of 'Southern-ism' seeing. 

ATKM Blog One: Anderson

SOUTHERNISMS: Lexie Anderson 

Jack Burden's colorful insults as well as vocabulary and train of thought allow the reader to see various characters as well as events from a very realistic perspective. It was obvious from the beginning of chapter one that Jack was a rather harsh critic when it came to analyzing people. Whether he was calling Tiny Duffy a "sebaceous fat ass" versus simply fat, or taking a cruel stab at Willie's tie and mommy's boy presence, Jack's descriptions can be seen as anything but dull. Burden is able to come up with the most unique and odd yet also extremity offensive insults within himself- which also portrays his character. As he explained Sugar Boy in the very beginning as well, "and then you'd see the little mystic Irish cheeks cave in as he sucked the sugar, so that he looked like an undernourished leprechaun"(5). Your average narrator would simply say that Sugar Boy was Irish, however we learned early on that this is not how Jack Burden functions. By portraying these southern isms, the reader is allowed to see Jack's cynical and condescending attitude that he doesn't do the best job of hiding. Later in the book, while out to dinner with a childhood friend by the name of Anne Stanton, the two get in a disagreement. After Burden extensively analyzes her like he does everyone else, the two argue over his father. Jack ends up stating, "Just because your old man was governor once and died in a mahogany tester bed with a couple of high priced doctors leaning over him and adding up the bills in their heads..."(149). Although Jack's comments are incredibly rude and harsh, they are oddly beautiful and extremely well put together. In reality, the people receiving the crisism, like Anne in this case, can't be angry over the comments because Jack simply states the truth In ways that people don't necessarily like to hear it. Jack is one of the only characters with a college education and it shows in his whitty comments. But the Southernisms don't stop there. Southern culture in this era is portrayed through the school scandal when certain member of the town refuse to hire a construction company simply because they employ black workers. As stated, "Mason County is a redneck country and they don't like niggers, no strange niggers anyway,and they haven't got many of their own"(77). Also, during the scene where Willie gives his first powerful speech drunk at the barbecue after learning he was played, he uses Southernisms himself by calling everyone in the crowd hicks and ignorant idiots. Simultaneously, Jack and Sadie continue the trend by referring to the Boss as 'The Sap'. Lastly, Warren used the same style towards the book's own narrator, Jack Burden himself. Although he is mostly criticizing other people using his language techniques, he also insults his own life. For example, "But nothing happened to Jack Burden, for nothing ever happened to Jack Burden, who was invulnerable. Perhaps that was the curse: he was invulnerable"(227). Although this appeared in the Cass Mastern chapter, it still directly shows how Jack views himself. He is able to use the southern isms to enhance and portray his own character and place in the story. As shown multiple times, he refers to himself in the third person, which portrays a lack of respect for himself. Southernisms have proved to be a crucial factor in the story thus far. They allow Jack to describe other things while also showing himself, and his option about those things. The colorful vocabulary and insults have definitely kept this book interesting. 

Grace Strasen All the King's Men CCQC #1

All the King's Men CCQC #1

All the King’s Men, by Robert Penn Warren, is a sentimental and honest narrative written from the perspective of a man who greatly cherishes his memories. Jack Burden brings the reader through his elaborate life through detailed descriptions of the most impacting and intimate moments of his life and the life of the politician Willie Talos. By working for Willie Jack often found himself doing questionable things. When describing a time before the book, a time he spent with his dear friend Adam from Burden’s landing, Jack projects a sentimental and bittersweet tone: “It was like when we used to go fishing, when we were kids, back at Burden’s landing. We used to sit in the boat, under the hot sun, hour by hour, and never a word. Or lie on the beach. Or go camping together and after supper lie by a little smudge fire for the mosquitoes” (Pg. 143). Alex from Burden’s landing is revealed dying later: “Adam Stanton is dead now, too, who used to go fishing with me and lay on the sand in the hot sunshine” (Pg. 72). With this tone, Jack reflects on his past. This tone reappears in the language throughout the novel. Many of these moments change his later actions. This tone is foreshadowing on Jack’s later feelings. The sentimental and bittersweet tone suggests Jack feeling regretful or burdened by the events written.

Izzy Snow-blog post 1

Willie is a Machiavellian because he recognizes the sacrifices one has to make in order to be successful in politics. In the prince, Nicolo Machiavelli was revolutionary in the idea that real change only happened when politicians were cruel and manipulative behind the scenes. Machiavelli also said that political figures who were idealist and did not take advantage of others would not be successful leaders. These beliefs are very true to Willie's. As Willie becomes a more powerful political figure, he looses the relationship with his wife. When he speaks with Jack about their separation, he defends the manipulative man he has become in order to be successful, the man that makes Lucy leave him. "'I don't know what the hell any of 'em want. A man can't tell. But you can tell this, if any man tried to run things the way they want him to half the time, he'd end up sleeping on the bare ground. And how would she like that?'" (219). Willie is recognizing that he could never have political success if he worked honestly. Although Willie recognizes this belief is the reason why Lucy and him separated, he acknowledges the necessity to have it. Later in the book, when Willie asks Jack to dig up dirt on Judge Irwin, Jack wonders if there is any dirt to dig up. Willie responds, "'Man is conceived in sin and born in corruption and he passeth from the stink of the didie to the stench of the shroud. There is always something" (223). Willie is recognizing the corruption behind all successful men, even Jack's father-figure Judge Irwin. Willie completely admits his Machiavellian beliefs as he states his response as fact. When he adds "there is always something", he is also scoffing at Jack's innocence to think some leaders have a lack of criminality in their careers. Willie's Machiavellian beliefs formed when he first lost the election for Governor. Willie believed that with his education and his new ideas would give him a shoe-in as Governor. However, Willie found that he was so disliked by the public that he was used as a pawn to make another candidate more appealing. Once Willie realized how he had been blindly manipulated, he understood that the political field required shrewd behavior. This marks a turning point in his career. After he finds out he was a pawn in the first Governor election, he arrives drunk to his rally and then tells his story. He describes himself as a "hick" in the sense that he believed hard work and honesty would help him win. "'Oh, he wanted to be a hick, summer and winter. He figured if he wanted to do anything he had to do it himself.'" (128). Willie understands what he must do in order to be successful, so he says "'When I come back to run for Governor again, I'm coming on my own and I'm coming for blood" (131). Willie's life story reflects on Penn-Warrens own Machiavellian beliefs, as he creates a character who lived an honest life before he was corrupted by politics.

All The King's Men CCQC - Graham Vert

Machiavellianism is the concept of using duplicity and manipulation in politics, or simply in one's own life. The concept and usage of this subject in literature often pertains to the inevitable moral corrosiveness of these kinds of actions. All The King's Men deals with this subject on several different levels. The book separates the most powerful character, Willie, from the audience by making the narrator a man close to him, but not Willie himself. This leaves Willie's motives and inner conflicts open to interpretation. He seems to truly want to be a transformative figure for his state, saying he is "Hell bent on making the second Gettysburg Address" when he writes his speech on page 99. Though he begins the book as a more idealistic, optimistic individual, he quickly becomes consumed by both power and bureaucracy. On page 151, Sadie Burke refers to Willie as "The Boss," making him sound more like a mob kingpin than a politician, and the cautionary tale of Cass Mastern's metaphorical spider on page 266 eerily parallels what Jack and Willie are trying to do-- though they're making their mark on the world, they're going about it in the wrong way. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Sophia Scherr ATKM #1

What does jack do for Willie?

In All The Kings Men, Jack the narrator acts as a smart and helpful hand to Willie more than anything as a friend and colleague. Before he is hired by Willie, The Chronicle favors MacMurfee during the campaign and asks Jack to support Willie's opponent. Jack doesn't want to help elect MacMurfee, so he quits his job and Talos comes in and offers Jack a job. "When what you got to work with is Sam MacMurfee” (138). I see that Willie impulsively hired Jack because he needed his support and Willie knew that was slipping from his friends. He is eventually sent to dig up dirt and dirty political information of his father figure the Judge. Jack is his personal support system even though he knows that Jack sees him as a joke in the political world. He also doesn’t seem to agree or care about his political views that are supposed to change the state. In the scene where they are sitting in the hotel room the night before the barbeque, Willie is trying to read his speech and share his ideas to jack who just sits there with no interests. “I heard that kind of talk. It gets around, I said. It not any secret. Then he demanded “Do you think it’s true?”(103). The author pushes Jack into the corner of friendship and work in his relationship with Willie. They both seem to know their stands in their relationship but then is altered when Jack works with Willie on a personal level. They seem to loose even more connections because Jack’s seen him at his lowest and helped him out of it. That is why I think Willie hired him because he was loyal even though he knew that Jack doesn’t have the same intentions. The author brilliantly points the distress in Willie about his complain and uses Jack as a support shoulder during this time. Yeah I said “I heard his speech. But they don’t give a damn about that”(102). The most important thing that Jack ever did was being honest about his feelings towards Willies ideals. He told the truth on what his ideas made him think about and what he shouldn’t say. “But for sweet Jesus’ sake don’t try to improve their minds”(102). Everybody who heard Willie Talos speak, they knew what he was saying and already knew his plan to improve the state. Jack gave Willie this information straight and gave him a clearer state of mind to observe his own actions.

Sophia Miller ATKM 1

What does Jack do for Willie?

The narrator of All the King's Men, Jack Burden, serves as an advisor, personal helper, confidant, and dirt-digger for politician Willie Talos. Their relationship began as a friendly one when Jack was a newspaper reporter and Willie was a young politician who had been cast into the race for Governor. The two men worked closely throughout that race. During Talos' campaign, Jack was one of the only people who was honest with him about his popularity and chance at winning. When Willie asked Jack how he thought the campaign was going, Jack criticized his speeches bluntly "I heard the speech. But they don't give a damn about that... Tell 'em anything. But for sweet Jesus' sake don't try to improve their minds" (p102). It is this sort of honesty that leads Willie to understand his position, and also to trust Jack as a friend and advisor. Later when Talos decides to run again for governor on his own, he calls upon Jack, who he heard has quit his job, and offers him a job working for him. When Jack asks "what do I do for the job?" (p153). Willie simply responds "Hell, I don't know... Something will turn up" (p153). From then on Jack becomes Willies right hand man. He is employed to provide a flask, observe and advise on important conversations and meetings, and most importantly to dig up dirt on community members, specifically Judge Irwin. When the Judge, a close family friend of Jack and an influential figure in the community, released his endorsement for Willie's rival, Willie and Jack payed him a visit at his home. But the Judge "does not scary easy" (p271), so Willie employed Jack to dig up any dirt he could find on the Judge. Although this task felt difficult and uncomfortable to Jack, he did not turn it down. Jack feels a loyalty and connection with Willie that reaches beyond just his work. In response to being offered a raise Jack turns it down, saying "I don't know why I work for you, but it's not because I love you. And not for the money" (p269). Willie responds to this by simply saying "You work for me because I'm the way I am and you're the way you are" (p269). The relationship between Jack and Willie is more than that of boss and worker. It is one founded on a mutual respect that was born at their first meeting, and fostered throughout their work together. They become people whom the other can always be honest with, and treat each other with a level of humanity and understanding.

Carmen Colosi

Period 1

In the restored edition of All The Kings Men by Robert Penn Warren the issues of class are prominent from the very beginning of the novel. Penn argues that those of lower class are devoted to those of higher class because of the protection that the higher-ups bring them. In the first chapter Warren introduces Sugar Boy as, “Irish, from the wrong side of the tracks,” with an intense stutter and around “27 or 28 years old… and he went around with his pockets stuffed with sugar cubes (5). Sugar Boy would drive around The Boss, Willie Talos who, “was the County Treasurer,” in Mason City (29). The Boss favors Sugar Boy as well as Sugar Boy workshops The Boss; “The Boss was sitting in the front seat with Sugar Boy” (5). When The Boss was in a state of anger over Lucy threatening to, “pack her bag,” Sugar Boy knew that in order to please Willie that he needed to go, “Charging across the state with the horn screaming and blatting,” for the crowd (209). Also Sugar Boy was there for Willie when he needed him to do the dirty work; “The Boss leaning to...Sugar Boy...Saying low and Fast,” directions to “bring the bastard in” (209-210). Sugar Boy blindly follows Willie`s directions and is glued to Willie`s side. This is a prime example of someone of the lower class who is willingly enslaved to someone of the higher class for the fact that the person of the higher class is kind to the person of the lower class.

William Rosenberg All the Kings Men CCQC #1

What does Jack do for Willie?  

For the most part, Jack is Willie's personal henchman.  Jack accompanies Willie wherever he goes and aids him with various tasks.  A good example of Jack being hired to complete trivial tasks for Willie is during the photo shoot.  The photographer desires to have a photo with the Talos's dog, Buck.  Buck, being old, refused to join Willie on his own will, so Jack was instructed to carry the dog over to Willie.
"Jack," the Boss said, "get the hairy bastard up here and make him look like he was glad to see me."  Pg 39
  Although jack's job mostly consists of helping Willie, Jack plays a key role in Willie's political life.  Jack was hired by Willie for the purpose of digging up dirt on other political figures.  Near the end of the first chapter, Jack and Willie return to Jack's hometown to visit Judge Irwin.  The Judge, who was far from pleased to see Willie, and Willie, had a tense encounter.  After the meeting, which ended with the Judge throwing Willie and Jack out of his house, Willie tells Jack to dig up dirt on the Judge.
"The Boss said: 'Well, Jackie, it looks like you got a job cut out for you."
And I said: 'Callahan?'
And he said: 'Nope, Irwin.'
And I said: 'I don't reckon you will find anything on Irwin.'
And he said: 'You find it.;" Pg 71
At first it appears that Jack is just a personal aid for Willie, but it is quickly revealed that Jack's job is to aid Willie's campaign by finding exploitable weaknesses in Willie's enemies.  Willie, who started his political career with noble intentions, was tainted by the political machine.  He was deceived and used for someone else's political gain, and began practicing dirty politics himself; Jack is the head of the corrupt side of Willie's political career.

Alissa Winkler Southernisms CCQC#1

• What particular Southern-isms are you noticing?

Robert Penn Warren has Jack use his astute Southern-ism insults to elegantly explain how he views various characters  and places in All the King's Men. The novel's narrator Jack Burden does not hesitate to speak his mind when he describes the partners he works with, painting sometimes grotesque images of a character's appearance in the readers mind. The first time we as readers can clearly see Jack's southern insults is when he initially introduces Tiny Duffy, one of Willie's associates saying, "And it ain't any secret that Tiny Duffy is as sebaceous a fat-ass as ever made the spring groan in a swivel chair," (23). Jack's use of complex diction makes this crude simile seem less offensive even though when simplified Jack is telling us he thinks Tiny Duffy is a greasy fat-ass. Additionally, Warren's southern insults target the description of places as well as people. For example, Jack narrates every detail of sitting with the Judge in his home, down to the scent, letting the reader know it is not a place you would enjoy living in. “The gang of us sat around, and moved our thighs on the horsehair or on the split-bottom and stared down at the unpainted boards of the floor or at the design on the linoleum mat in the middle of the floor as though we were attending a funeral and owed the dead man some money. The linoleum mat was newish, and the colors were still bright -- reds and tans and blues slick and varnished-looking -- a kind of glib, impertinent, geometrical island floating there in the midst of the cornerless shadows and the acid mummy smell and the slow swell of Time which had fed into this room, day by day since long back, as into a landlocked sea where the fish were dead and the taste was brackish on your tongue," (37). Although this quote does not directly insult another character, the southern style of writing in which the room is described has the ability to reveal more about Jude Irwin than meets the eye. Both quotes allow the reader to envision the south and the political influences living their at the time through the cultured words of cynical and brutally honest Jack. It's enjoyable to read each chapter and be introduced to new characters, knowing that Jack will have something elegantly degrading to say about them, hilariously wearing his heart on his sleeve and speaking his mind. The eloquent southern art of insults adds to the style of writing and affects how we perceive the people and places of the south for better or for worse. 

ATKM #1Ryan George

Jack's role has changed a little bit throughout the first part of the book. He originally worked as a newspaper writer, but after a conflict, found that working for Willie Talos was in his interest. Jack is that intern that does whatever you want him to for Willie, except he's not an intern, he gets paid. Jack does whatever Willie asks of him. He does small things, as well as larger requests, like digging up dirt on the Judge for Willie. It wasn't all to desirable a job for Jack, after all the Judge was a father figure to him. But Willie was his boss, and he paid him, so he did it anyway, whether it be uncomfortable or not. It was clear however, that Willie wanted Jack to find something on Judge Irwin, desperately. "To hell with election day. I can deliver Masters prepaid, special handling. But if it takes ten years, you find it." (71) You could easily tell that Jack resented secretly finding information about his father figure, as he tried to talk his way out of doing the job multiple times. "There is always something." " Maybe not on the Judge." (71) Jack was put in a very tough spot, as his job is telling him to do one thing and his heart is telling him to do another. Although it is hard for Jack, he goes in depth in research to try and dig up secrets about Judge Irwin. He first goes to one of his old friends, and then after goes to Anne Stanton, who was part of the house of Governor Stanton. He talked to Adam in the end, who ended up giving him the answers she was looking for. Jack was very pleased with his work, that he had so brilliantly come up with this information. However, it was bittersweet for him, as a part of him felt bad for digging up secrets about his father figure. I think it shows that jobs like Willie Talos’ and Jack’s can sometimes make you do things that you don’t necessarily want to do, corrupt things. I think we will begin to see more and more of this behavior as the book goes on.

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Dylan Woodhead

All the King’s Men Blog Post

Is Willie Machiavellian

Willie Talos, In Robert Warren’s All the King’s Men, starts his official political career after he is convinced to run for governor by a wealthy businessman. As a self-taught lawyer, Willie Talos “was ready to ride”(94) and was filled with ideas, improvements, and legislation that would foster, in his mind, improvement for the state of Louisiana. Willie would go on to take his campaign unduly seriously, “pacing in his room,.. hell bent on making (his speech) the second Gettysburg Address.” (99) Talos took the task head on, preaching sermons “full of facts and figures,” (100) including “the ratio between income tax and total income” (102) and the state's lacking infrastructure, (110) to uninterested townsfolk. Willie continued his factual and somewhat religious political campaign speeches until Sadie, frustrated with Willie’s lack of sense, told him that he had been "framed"; a tool, utilized by rival party members to split their opposition’s votes. From this point on, Talos’ political standpoint shifted from an idealist point of view, seeing all the improvements that could be made, to a more rational, at times machiavellian, approach that involved deceitful, corrupt actions, far-fetched from his original political standpoint. After he was elected governor, Willie attacks and insults Mr. White’s, the state's auditor who was on trial to be impeached for accusations of corruption, actions exclaiming that “you aren’t supposed to get rich.. but stay pore and take orders.” (188) Despite his obvious corruption and lack of morals, Talos decides to “stop this impeachment business” (188) for White, only after receiving an undated letter of resignation from Mr. White in which he can use later at his will. Additionally, Talos also orders Jack to not only dig up “dirt” on MacMurfee's men in the Louisiana government, but also on the Judge, which would prove fatal in some cases to both groups; “Jackie made it stick, all right.” (72) These are prime examples of Willie’s shift from a straightforward thinker to a deceiving machiavellian politician who utilizes blackmail and leverage to suppress any opponents.

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Will Nash

How are the issues of class portrayed in this book?

Issues of class are prominent throughout the novel and add to the tensions that built up over the course of the book. These issues often manifested themselves in the form of racism. The book is taking place in the deep south in the 1920’s when racism was rampant and very harsh. Jack (the narrator) often uses harsh, racist language in spite of his extensive education. This is because he was surrounded by it. African- Americans were popularly used as slaves and probably were responsible for making Jacks family rich. For this reason in addition to abiding by societal norms, Jack comes off as blatantly racist throughout the novel. I think this provides a good sense of context for the reader about the popular views in that time and place. He would be narrating and describe a situation such as, “Then a nigger chopping cotton a mile away, he'll look up and […] say, "Lawd God, hit's a-nudder-one done hit!" (1-2) From that description it is obvious that Jack has been influenced strongly by racism. The same message could have easily been conveyed in a much less offensive manner. Another quote that says it all was mentioned in Jack description of  his town after finding out why the school wouldn’t be built by the lowest bidder, “Mason country is red-neck country and they don't like niggers, not strange niggers, anyway, and they haven't got many of their own.” (76-77) The members of his community would rather pay more for a schoolhouse than have unwanted black people be brought into their community. The few abolitionists in the book earned themselves labels with negative connotation such as “nigger-lover”. That is one of the root reasons that racism was prominent in those times. Not only were the majority of white folks racist, but the ones that weren’t were treated poorly, creating a situation in which it was much harder to fight for abolition. In All The Kings Men, black people are thought of as sub-human creating a strong class divide and a completely segregated community.

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Jack Burden came from a wealthy background but chose a poorer life, creating an attitude of contempt both for the poor ‘country hicks’ and the wealthy elite he once was friends with. Towards the beginning of Willie Talos’s rag-to-riches story, Jack feels compelled to side with him against the subtle but cruel mocking of Alex Michel and Tiny Duffy. “You could look at Willie and see that he never had been and never would be in politics,” (29). Because of his poor country background these men do not believe he could be a politician. Jack admires something about him, and detests the behavior of these rich people, so he sides with Talos for the moment. However, later on, Talos is seduced into running for Governor and Jack and Sadie become angry at him for being such a fool and believing he could actually become governor, and for not understanding his place in life. “All that was in me as I suddenly felt sore at him and asked him snottily if he expected me to hold his hand,” (111). Jack feels the same way as Tiny Duffy had earlier in the book; Willie Talos was not meant to be a politician, he was just a hick and he wasn’t going anywhere. His contempt for the wealth, however, comes less from an ideological perspective and more from a deep-rooted place of vengeance and anger towards his family. As an act against his mother, he refuses to go to a nice school or take any of her money or get a nice job and be rich. She gave him money, and he didn’t even use it to make himself presentable like she wanted. “The check was for two hundred and fifty dollars. He did not even buy a neck tie. But he and the two other men in the apartment had a wonderful blow-out, which lasted for five days,” (227). He is most in contempt, however, of honorable poverty; people choosing the poorer life and rejecting money for some honorable reason. His father abandoned the wealthy life for a life of charity, and described the corrupt, wealthy past as “foulness,” to which Jack replied, “I felt like grabbing him and shaking him until his teeth rattled,” (285). When he’s trying to buy information from a poor woman, he tries to give her money and she shirks away. ““Pick up the bill. It’s yours.” “No,” she said quickly and huskily, “no,”” (314). The idea of people refusing to better themselves, too ‘moral’ to survive, kills him, despite the fact that he himself did this. As a ‘Burden’, rejected by the woman he loved most of his life and doing contrary things to displease his parents, his entire life is one pile of self loathing.

ATKM Post 1 Noyce

How are the issues of class portrayed in this book? 

     Class status in All the King’s Men is rarely stated outright, but it is very clear where everyone stands or stood in the class caste system and it is an important factor in every interaction. One of the rare occasions where class is spoken of openly is when Willie Talos, while drunk, appeals to the masses by explaining his history, “’Oh he [Willie] knew what it was to be a hick, summer and winter. He figured if he wanted to do anything he had to do it himself’” (128). When Willie makes a speech for his campaign for governor, he lets all the country folk know that he is one of them. He insults the crowd that had gathered, calling them hicks and rednecks, but makes it clear that he is no different, only that he worked hard and rose to a higher class. His former class is not a source of pride, yet it does not make him any less important than the other politicians and he states in this speech that while he is backing out of this race, he will run for governor again; next time on his own.  Willie’s class and background are very different from Jack’s, who is upper class and even without taking money from his family, wealthy enough to live without working. While out to dinner with Annie he states, “She asked me what I was doing, and I told her, ‘Not a blessed thing. Just waiting for my cash to run out’” (145). Although he refused to take money from his mother for college, he has always had the benefit of being wealthy and upper class. He tells Annie he isn’t doing anything and it is clear he doesn’t need to, the money he has amassed from his previous jobs is much more than a lower class man could have saved and can afford to live without a care. He also knows that if he is ever in need he could always turn to his mother for support. When Jack and his mother talk on his college choices, her attitude towards appearances within their social circle is expressed; “’Oh, son,’ my mother said, ‘why don’t you be sensible and go to Harvard or Princeton.’ For a woman out of the scrub-country of Arkansas, my mother had certainly learned a lot by that time about our better educational institutions. ‘Or even Williams,’ she said. ‘They say it’s a nice refined place’” (167). Jack responds to her later that she only says this because it would be easier for her to tell her friends he was at a prestigious school rather than the less esteemed one he had decided to attend. Jack’s mother, like Willie did not begin her life rich, yet married into a wealthy family and learned what it meant to be upper class. She wants the best for her son, not because she wants him to prosper, but because of how others will see their family. This is apparent also when she urges him to let Theodore find him a job other than working for Willie. In each interaction between characters, there is a knowledge of the social hierarchy and of who has more connections. Everyone knows each other’s place in the order and acts accordingly.