Jack Burden's Faults

Whenever, a person idolizes someone, they can only see that person in one mindset—perfect. But in reality, that idol may really not be as perfect as the on-watcher thinks. Such is the case with Jack Burden in Robert Penn Warren’s All the King’s Men. To others, Jack appears to be rich, relaxed, but in reality he lacks a true father figure, and does his best to avoid present day reality. Mainly, this lack of a real father is the root of all his other faults. Jack’s troubled relationship with his mother, who has a series of husbands, who come and go also adds to his problems. Like any child without a father, he is unsure of who to trust. This lack of self-confidence plagues Jack for a great deal of time.

Jack’s lack of a father seriously plagues him with his first girlfriend. When he attempts to enter a relationship with Anne Stanton, she sees through him. She questions him about his future ambitions—and when he responds with the fact that he will “blow in her ear for a living” (Warren 284) she is the least bit happy. Since Jack had no guidance from a father figure, he lacks self-understanding. He can also not see his own faults or tho

Jack continues to search for guidance. He looks to his boss, Willie Stark. Willie appears as a father figure for Jack because Willie knows where he is going and how he is going to get there. Willie knows that he wants to be in control of his entire state. He knows that the way to achieve total power is through bribery. Even though Willie’s ideas are a model for Jack, Jack cannot better himself by taking advantage. Jack has a stronger conscience than Willie and feels that the ends do not justify the means as in Willie’s case. Consequently, Jack denies being Willie’s follower when Judge Irwin accuses Jack of that. Willie is sensitive to Jack’s displeasure, and does not want Jack to be wrongfully accused. Willie even pours Jack a drink to show that he is no better than Jack (Bohner 69-70). However, most people see that “Jack Burden is Willie’s Man” (Bohner 69), because he not only carries out Willie’s orders but takes advantage of Willie’s power. Jack uses his power by telling people that “‘he work[s] for Willie Stark’” (Warren 403). After Willie has been buried, a photographer comes up to Jack and tries to make small talk. The photographer realizes that Jack is an aide of Willie’s; the photographer then backs down in fear and respect. The fear and respect is really towards Willie, but Jack has taken advantage of it. Although Willie is unable directly to provide the guidance for Jack to solve his problems, Willie does indirectly lead Jack to the eventual solution. Willie has Jack find the “dirt” on Judge Irwin in order to intimidate Judge Irwin into supporting his candidacy. This investigation finds that the Judge had allowed himself to be bribed in a lawsuit in order to get enough money to pay off his mortgage. When Irwin learns that Jack and Willie know about the deal he commits suicide. His suicide is the turning point in Jack’s life. Although Willie is unable to give Jack the direction that he requires, he puts him on a job that allows Jack to find an answer to and resolve his continuing problem, his lack of a true father.

Just as Ja

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