He ultimately surmises that life is like "an enormous spider web- (Warren 188) and that all events connect together. Rather than just straight facts, Jack has a revelation that the way in which facts become facts, has an importance as well. Jack's inability to find the truth is exemplified when he does a dissertation on Cass Mastern, a historical relative. Jack is "afraid there [is] reproach to him- (Warren 189) in the story of Cass Mastern, so he avoids it. What further complicates the matter is that Jack is personally confused. When he sees the people around him commit corrupt acts, he knows that the people are wrong in their action because he has morals, but he does not know who is right. Jack sees the world as divided against itself, as is brought forth by the dual nature of the narrator, that is, telling the story and also being a person to whom events happen (Bohner 71). As a result, Jack tries to flee from the world around him. He tries "The Great Sleep- (Warren 189) when he is totally inept and only wishes to sleep. He describes this experience as "a diver groping downward into dark water- (Warren 189) trying to find something that would shine if there was light. The dream is symbolic of his hiding in the ocean, away from the world. Jack has trouble finding meaning in events, but refrains from doing what he can. This occurs because of his lack of self-confidence which developed by the abscence of a father. .
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.
