Jack Burden was one of the few characters in the novel that actually tried to repair his mistakes. Jack was a loyal friend and a helpful worker to Willie Stark, who orders him to “dig up dirt” on Judge Irwin, an accomplice of MacMurfee. Judge Irwin was like a father to Jack, but since it was his job to do what Willie demanded he knew he would have to do what Willie said, even if it was someone who was dear to him. Jack comes across some old newspaper documents where he finds that Judge Irwin was bribed to dismiss and receive money and estate in return. Jack goes to Judge Irwin’s home where he talks with him over dinner. Jack’s plans to blackmail him fails, when the Judge admits he was wrong and accepts the consequences of his actions.

Another character that was able to prevail over his own pride was Cass Mastern, Jack’s father’s uncle. Cass was involved in an affair with Annabelle Trice, the wife of his friend Duncan Trice. When Duncan discovered the affair, he took off this wedding ring and shot himself. Phebe, one of the Trice’s slaves, had found the ring, and taken it to Annabelle. Annabelle was unable to bear the knowledge that Phebe knew about her sin, and so she sold her. Cass then realized that the few moments of pleasure that the affair possessed not only took someone’s life, but also jeopardized another’s. Cass then set our to find Phebe so he could set her free. Unfortunately, he was not successful. Cass is probably the character that most fits the quote because he not only admitted to but also tried to mend his mistakes. Although he was not successful, his pride did not over take him.

Jack then leaves to visit his mother who told him that his real dad, Judge Irwin committed suicide. This is where Jack’s mistake becomes apparent. The Judges death made Jack realize that he had never done anything to harm him and so he was blackmailing him for his own selfish purposes. His mother confesses that she has loved Judge Irwin all along and has to leave her new husband. To make himself feel better, Jack lies t

Some topics in this essay:
Judge Irwin, Stanton Adam's, Annabelle Annabelle, , Judge Irwin’s, Willie Adam, Willie Anne, Jack Cass, Jack Burden, Willie Jack, judge irwin, able admit, director hospital, able admit wrong, adam stanton, adam outraged, admit wrong, tried repair, hospital willie, involved affair, jack burden,