all the kings men

Robert Penn Warren develops the protagonists in All The King’s Men by showing how they act in the presence of other central characters, thus revealing them as complex and dynamic characters. Showing the development of the characters instead of simply telling the reader allows the reader more freedom in interpreting their beliefs, motives, actions, and significance in the novel.
Throughout various parts of the novel, the character Willie Stark is developed further and further into a complex character. However, Warren does not simply tell the reader information about Willie, it is revealed through his actions when with other characters. In Slade’s pool hall, chronologically the first time we see Willie, he refuses to drink beer because “Lucy don’t favor drinking… For a fact” (17). Even though Willie was surrounded by influential men who looked down at him, he still refused to drink because his wife disapproved of him drinking. This alerts the reader to the fact that bef...