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.