In his novel, "All the King's Men", Robert Penn Warren tells us that we are all responsible for our actions, and that sooner or later, the consequences will resurface, forcing us to face them. Refusing to accept this fact may bring pain and suffering to those around us, even the ones that we love. Warren goes on to show us that accepting this responsibility provides for personal growth, and helps us evolve into moral human beings.
Jack Burden, one of the main characters in the novel, lives his life without any responsibility, under the theory that life is random and that we do not control the circumstances that we are in. He is content with believing that since he is merely following somebody else's (Willie's) orders, he is relieved of any responsibility for his actions and their outcome. Reflecting on the randomness of life, Jack decides that "All life is but the dark heave of the blood and the twitch of the nerve...
Welsh singer Duffy during her performance live at ...
Welsh singer Duffy in live performance
Aimee Anne Duffy (*1984), known professionally as ...Nothing was your fault, or anybody else's fault" (329). Jack is hiding behind the idea that he cannot change the world, and therefore is not responsible for anything he does. Since everything he does is not decided by his conscience, but by his Boss, he is able to live up to his neck in a swamp of corruption, yet remain dry the entire time. However, the fact of the matter is that Jack does not have the will to make his own conscientious choice. He lets his morals be used as a puppet - the strings bulled by The Boss - and uses his theory of "The Great Twitch" as a shield against his lack of will, and the blame that he should be receiving for his actions.
Jack's reluctance to accept responsibility leads him to...