In the novel “All the King’s Men” by Robert Penn Warren, Jack Burden is the narrator of the novel, and is a complex character. Burden’s main characteristics are his intelligence and his lack of ambition. In the beginning of the novel Jack Burden is described as undecided, and inconsistent, but yet intelligent. However, by the end of the novel Jack’s attitude will change. The author uses an observer narrator to convey the main themes of the story.
Jack Burden is a talented historian, who is troubled by the question of motive and responsibility in history. Jack’s idea for a thesis topic was Cass Mastern. Cass Mastern had an affair with Annabelle Trice, wife Cass’s friend Duncan. After Duncan found out about the affair, he committed suicide.
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Phebe was the slave who gave Mrs. Trice Duncan’s wedding ring. As a result, Mrs Trice sold Phebe as a slave. Cass Mastern had a sentiment of responsibility regarding Phebe’s case, so he became an abolitionist. Jack started to write his thesis on Cass Mastern, but decided to abandon his research because he did not understand Cass Mastern’s motivations. Troubled with the question of motive and responsibility, Jack developed a theory called “The Great Twitch” to convince himself that no one can be held responsible for anything that happens. However, Jack’s theory of the “The Great Twitch” is threatened and constantly being challenged throughout the novel.
The fact that Jack’s last name is Burden foreshadows the idea that Jack is the character with more burdens or problems in the story. Leading the reader to belief that, even though the novel is about Willy Stark, Jack Burden will also become a protagonist, because he will overcome his burden or obstacles throughout the book. When Willie asks Jack to find things that might compromise Judge Irwin, a father figure from Jack's childhood, Jack is forced to confront his ideas concerning consequence, responsibility, and motivation. Jack discovers that Judge Irwin accepted a bribe, and that Governor Stanton covered it up; the resulting blackmail attempt leads to Judge Irwin's suicide. However, going back to Jack’s theory on responsibility, he does not feel guilty or responsible for Irwin’s death. Of course, however when Jack later discovered that he had killed his own father, he felt guilty. Jack also revealed to Anne Stanton that her father was aware of the bribe, and decided to protect his friend, Irwin. Anne was devastated with the news, but once again Jack had no sense of responsibility whatsoever. Jack even said “ I only told her the truth, I said savagely to myself, and she can’t blame me for the …show more content…
truth.” Jack goes from being a cynical, and inconsistent young man who avoids the idea of responsibility to being a mature and determined man who is able to understand the "awful responsibility of Time." Suggesting the fact that each present action carries future consequences.
Jack does not realize the importance of responsibility, until Willie’s death. After Jack’s confrontation with Tiny, he realizes that if someone is responsible for an action, then the Great Twitch theory cannot hold up. So as a result, if someone is responsible for Willie's death, Jack is forced to face the measure of responsibility that he owns. The narrator even says, “ He woke up one morning to discover that he did not believe in the Great Twitch…because he had seen too many people live and die.” Suggesting that Willie’s death along with Irwin’s, and Adam’s death had helped Jack to gain a sense of responsibility, and self-
determination. At the beginning of the novel Jack is unable to understand Cass Mastern's motivations because he is not ready to confront the idea of responsibility. Jack wants to evade his past, "escape the present.” However by the end of the novel, Jack writes that he "may now come to understand" Cass Mastern. Once Jack understands the idea of a person being responsible of his or her actions, Jack is able to finish his thesis on Cass Mastern. In conclusion Warren not only uses Willie to convey the themes of the story, but also Jack Burden. One of the main themes of the novel is the sense of responsibility. The fact that a person should be responsible of his or her actions, and also that present actions can lead to future consequences.
Although Jack is not a lawyer, he believes in justice also. After punishing Scout for beating Francis up, he is told Scout’s side of the story, where Francis insults Atticus and makes up a fake story. After being told this, Jack replies to Scout, “...Wait’ll I get my hands on that boy...” Jack knew that Francis was the one in fault and wished to give Scout the justice she deserved. Although both brothers are alike in this sense, they are different also. When the children are
1.Who is the narrator of the story? How is he or she connected to the story ( main character, observer, minor character)?
All humans have their sufferings and Jack is no expectation. He has problems with drinking, depression and denial. Once Ian realized this, he reassured him and tried to ease him away from the pain. This is shown in the book when Ian stated to Jack “It’s just that I think you should stop drinking” (...
William Penn Warren’s All the King’s Men is novel that explores the political society and its influences. Like several politicians in modern society, several characters have qualities that seem unsuitable to the impression that have made. These ironies in All the King’s Men reveal how the characters have flaws, which can result in critical consequences. Jack Burden, Adam Stanton, Judge Irwin and Willie Stark are characters that with ironic traits.
This passage defines the character of the narrators’ father as an intelligent man who wants a better life for his children, as well as establishes the narrators’ mothers’ stubbornness and strong opposition to change as key elements of the plot.
Jack Burden- He is the narrator of this story and he is the companion of Willie Stark. He works at a newspaper company before getting a job from Willie after they become acquainted . Readers will learn his story while they are learning about the life of Willie.
Walter Cunningham Sr. is a caring and sweet person. He can also be very shy and quiet. His family and him are farmers and don’t repay anything that they can’t afford to give back. In the book, Walter Sr. is a client of Atticus and always gives him goods and different services in order to pay Atticus back since the family can’t afford to pay back in cash. The Cunningham’s are low-class town people because they have to rely on Government welfare and services to keep the farming business going.
The death of Willie Starks and the circumstances force Jack to rethink the way he thinks. He rethinks a belief that no one can ever be responsible for the evil actions of another individual over time. In a way Jack feels responsible for Willie’s death. Jack eventually marries Anne Stanton and he feels orthodox about his decision to marry her. Jack restarts his long lost hobby of working on a book about Cass Mastern.
First, the narrator sets the mood of the text. He is a character, an agent in the action of the story. He fits it completely. He's a real "cool" guy, Marlowe. I picture him just sitting back in a thick green leather chair in a poorly lit, dingy little room, slowly drawing on a cigarette (watching the ash grow), swirling a drink in the other hand and spilling out the story in the concise, natural rhythm of his speech &emdash; street speech. He is super-casual. He upholds his law; he's not bad -- he's not good either. He's laid back. He's street smart &emdash; he knows people. He doesn't always follow the law, but he fights the scofflaws. He's Sherlock underground American style. He's a lady's man. He's in control. He's a one on the Richter Scale. He's suave enough to spill out awesome figurative language with seamless ease.
Jack’s reaction shows evidence of his happiness of his new found brother. The same man that played his brother in their mind games with friends and family.
At the end of the story, Jack realizes that blending in with society is not ideal. He regrets the past decade that was full of loss and regret when it could've been full of trust and love. People may be tempted to make unwise decisions to blend in with society. But think about it: the world is like a crowded marketplace. If you don’t stand out, you are invisible. Unique qualities define your identity. Without them, you are not yourself. At least on Qingming, the mother’s poor spirit can rest easy, knowing her son is with her in heart, but that can never make up for the years of hurt and betrayal directed at
...by the narrator and from his point of view he constantly gives his opinion throughout the story.
Jack’s relatives and neighbors believe him to be a well-mannered, productive member of a polite who have a set of rules of behavior. Are they right to believe so? We’ll go to that in a short while. It can be seen clearly that Jack is a little bossy. He acts like an older brother to Algernon, even before he knows he is one. As Cecily’s Guardian, he sets down rules, even in guiding her studies, as we can see in the tutorial scene with Ms. Prism. He also very good in advising, one piece after another:
The narrator’s voice as he regaled his audience with his tale is rich and nuanced, filled with idiosyncrasies and catchphrases. This strong narration works with the (almost) seamless stream of consciousness style of writing, to faithfully recreate the singular effect of listening to a rambling elder
Poe creates the ominous character of an unnamed narrator through indirect characterization. Using the components of the narrator's thoughts, the cops reluctancy to the narrator being a murderer, consequently leading to the narrator's fall into insanity, Poe illustrates a story about guilt and reveals that when you get away with something you may not always feel good about it. The character has no physical description, but his mind tells another story.