Although brought up in the society set, and well-educated, Burden is unambitious and haunted by ghosts of the past. His connection to Stark enables him to be devoid of responsibility, yet at the same time feel useful as a researcher delving into the sordid pasts of others. Some of these would include the family and acquaintances of his life-long friends, Anne and Dr. Adam Stanton, the children of the former governor, who eventually became entangled in the web of corruption and deceit associated with Burden's employer Boss Willie Stark.
Also accompanying Willie down the road to perdition are other memorable characters such as fat, corrupt political flunky Tiny Duffy, ever-loyal bodyguard Sugar-Boy, and Sadie Burke, a head-strong "from the road side of the tracks" woman who fulfills her own political ambitions in a male dominated society through Stark, while at the same time becoming one of his lovers. In the end she transcends into the "woman scorned", and is ultimately the instrument of Stark's death at the hands of Dr. Adam Stanton.
From the backwoods of the South to the assassination at the Capital, the story of Willie Stark is a mirror image of the events which occurred during the Louisiana Populist Movement, advocated at the time by Governor Huey Long. Stark and Long shared, during the same time period, the same dream,~ a government geared towards the benefit of the working man. In the image of his true to life counter-part Stark implemented programs for the betterment of his state. These included medical treatment, education and literacy, and roads and highways to promote interstate commerce. However, the character of Stark also brought to light the corruption present in the South and specifically Long's administration. It is difficult to discern whether Warren's goal was to expose Long for what he was no matter the amount of good he did or visa versa, that the ends justified the means.
