All The Kings Men- by Robert Penn Warren

1^st Quarter – Period D

Crey Bankes

I have chosen “All The Kings Men” for my first quarter literature reading assignment. The book was written by Robert Penn Warren, has received the Pulitzer Prize and is 661 pages in length. When searching for my first quarter reading, I looked through books of authors that I am familiar with – Dickens, Steinbeck and Paulsen . I chose my first quarter book because it is focused on early American politics and corruption. This will be the first time I have read a book on this topic.

This literary fiction begins in Mason City during 1936. The main characters introduced in the story are Willie Stark (Boss), Lucy Stark, Sugar Boy and Tommy (Willie’s son’s) and Mr. Duffy. The main character Jack Burden is narrating the story. The story begins with the main characters entering Mason City.

Willie Stark is the Governor and very well known to the locals. Although popular by political status, generally people did not like him. The first scandal involved Willie blackmailing the local judge Irwin to not run for Senate. The intimidation did not work on the judge. Willie tried to use his power to corrupt a contract bid in the town for the school construction. He hoped to use this situation to gain votes in his election. The town people went opposite of Willies guidance on the construction. Willie did not get support and lost the election. He went back to the farm and continued to study law.

2 years after losing the first Senate election, the construction of the schoolhouse was not up to code and children were killed and crippled by a fire drill. This event gave Willie power and trust in the people of Mason City. He decided to use this change of luck and re-run for Senate.