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.
As Sophia addresses in her post, Jack assists Willie Talos in many different ways and jobs, creating a friendly relationship between the two based upon their mutual respect. Jack's ability to tell Willie his unfiltered thoughts on a subject provides keen insight for Willie, and he greatly appreciates this. When Willie is unsure of his actions toward an employee, he goes to Jack for help, '"What do you think?"
ReplyDelete"Thinking is not my line," I said, "and I'd advise you to stop thinking about it because you know damned well what you are going to do. You are going to do what you are going to do"'(198). This dynamic - a question and confident and straightforward answer - is a foundation of their relationship. Willie needs advice and Jack provides it, and this co-dependence influences them to "treat each other with a level of humanity and understanding," like Sophia stated.