All The King's Men Summary

All The King's Men by Robert Penn Warren

This novel tells about the political rise and governorship of Willie Stark who is a cynical populist. The novel is narrated by a political reporter named Jack Burden who becomes Governor Stark's right-hand man. Jack Burden cannot sleep with Anne Stanton whom he loves, but Stark does so. When Jack discovers that Anne has an affair with his boss, he decides to go on a trip to keep the distance from them. Once he is back, his mind is different and clearer.

After this, Adam Stanton (Anne's brother) is told about his sister's affair with the Governor. This infuriates him so much. Adam, with his pride demolished sees the Governor at the Capitol and shoots him down.

Also, Jack Burden discovers that his real father is the Judge Irwin, who suicides because Stark used Jack to incriminate him.

This unfortunate events change Jack's conception of moral.

 Robert Penn Warren

Civil Rights Activist, Literary Critic, Poet (1905–1989). Poet Robert Penn Warren was one of the founders of New Criticism and is the only person to have won the Pulitzer Prize for both fiction and poetry. He is best known for his treatment of moral dilemmas in the South in his poetry and essays. He was supporter of racial integration and published a collection of interviews with black civil rights leaders including Malcolm X and Martin Luther King.