Power politics in Robert Penn Warren's All the King's Men

Abstract

Warren's All the King's Men a typically American tale of politics and power where different politics and tactics are used to rise in power, manipulation betrayal, bribery, and blackmailing, grafting, threatening and frenzied rhetoric are different strategies applied in the process of acquiring exercising and maintaining of power. Warren depicts the picture of power struggle in politics in one of the southern states of the United States. The state is reeling under economic crisis, corruption and, on top, politicians fighting for power. The state is under the grip of graft, blackmail, bribery, and trickery all masterminded by Mac Murfee, government candidate, and rival of Willie. However, Willie rises to the status and achieves power to dismantle the politics in his favour.