The Library Annex

This has been the story of Willie Talos, but it is my story, too.

Too true. And in the same way one finds Nick Carroway more interesting, I found myself focusing almost entirely on Jack Burden. What drives him? How does he balance all these opposing relationships around him all while within the whirlwind of politics?

Jack dictates the story brilliantly. No detail escapes his eye nor can it hide its meaning from him. Of course, the reader must remember first-person narrative bias and, after over 600 pages, one can understandably grow to abhor the massive similes and philosophical diatribes littering the narrative. Yet, with a character narration, I choose to accept his colorful interpretations and dictations as indications of his psyche and personality and therefore invaluable to understanding the story.

Power corrupts and does so most plainly within politics. In this, Warren offers nothing new. Willie Talos begins as a naive and hopeful gubernatorial candidate who doesn’t understand why the people don’t listen and find inspiration in his perfect tax plan. But he learns this lesson and chooses to not only change his campaign approach but to commit entirely to the physical laws of the political universe. He changes. And he finds success by manipulating people and working within the corrupt bounds of those new laws. In the opening chapter of this edition, I thought Jack described a mafia don. They call him “The Boss” throughout the story. His entourage behaves like those of a don’s inner circle.

The unique aspect of Warren’s story is Jack Burden. What motivates him to serve Willie Talos? How does he relate to opposing sides? What does it cost him?

Throughout the story, Jack talks about dissecting himself into multiple Selfs. He defines these Selfs according to their existence within Time and what they mean to others. He doesn’t claim to offer a manual for navigating political, personal and professional relationships; in fact, the outcomes of these relationships do not necessarily benefit anyone. More importantly, his dessection of Self perhaps helps him live with his stretched persona. It helps him maintain a grasp on reality. By analyzing Reality and Truth – what is rather than what should be – he avoids a moral committment to any one side or perspective.

Where Willie Talos embodies political corruption, Adam Stanton emodies public integrity and a moral compass. He and Jack – along with Adam’s sister, Anne – grew up as childhood friends. The proverbial ‘Good Guy’ in Adam must deal with the ‘Bad Guy’ in Talos; a deal brokered by Jack Burden. And though they find each other deplorable, they ultimately agree on the outcome. But the balance can only last as long as the ‘Good Guy’ does not feel tainted by his counterpart.

An interesting comparison between Adam and Jack: Jack “Burden” balances all the strained relationships around him agreeing to requests regardless of his personal thoughts. Whereas Adam defines himself by his integrity and principled morality; quite opposite from Jack’s mulitple Selfs. Talos adapts himself for political success. Adam Stanton would not. And Jack has too many Selfs to change. So Talos and Adam share a fate rendering definitions of ‘good guy’ and ‘bad guy’ relatively inert. Regardless of morality, the political machine grinds out human meat – those soulless short-lived successes or naive committments to principles. One must wonder; is Jack an example of how to survive?