Our society revolves around the question of what is right and what is wrong. We generally characterize humans as primarily malevolent or benevolent. The world, however, contains a minority of people characterized by ambiguity, a unique emotional balance that allows them to be both good and evil. In Henry James's Washington Square and Robert Penn Warren's All the King's Men, the dispositions of many characters are both humanitarian and corrupt. In both sagas, the true internal motivations and emotional fabric of Willie Stark and Dr. Sloper remain questionable. The authors intentionally remain vague about the true nature of each character in an attempt to convey that kindness and integrity are victims of the realities of life. Willie Stark and Dr. Sloper are presented as ambiguous; however, the progression of each plot shows their degradation of morality. Each author suggests that societal pressures overwhelm their character's altruism, as if to suggest that the contemporary world leaves no room for compassion. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essay Robert Penn Warren's mastery of literature manifests itself in Stark's complexity. Stark is a man of surprising contradictions. He is loved and hated, devoted and disloyal, comforting but abusive. Despite this ambiguity, Warren often describes Stark as entirely admirable. He is generally remembered by Louisiana residents as a compassionate man who led many initiatives that benefited the people of his state. Certainly, Stark's government improved living conditions in Louisiana and provided the state with better infrastructure. For the economically deprived, improvements in roads, schools, and health care outweigh the moral failings of their leaders. The crown jewel of his populist agenda was his grandiose hospital complex: "No matter how good they are, mine will be better... mine will be bigger, and any poor bastard in this state can go there and find the best. It won't cost him a dime" (279). People interpret Willie's tireless efforts to improve the lives of his fellow rednecks as a genuine demonstration of good heart. Stark represents heroism in the eyes of the people, for whom he has made tangible improvements to the way of life Although Warren establishes Willie's character as a balance between evil and amicable, his ability to make real progress safely earns him support from the general public. accusations of corruption and the advent of numerous scandals, the people expressed their loyalty to Willie through the ballot box and street demonstrations: "The crowd began to chant 'Willie, Willie, Willie - We want Willie!' (178). Too intense to interpret as desperation or the effects of propaganda, Willie's popularity stems from results - results that improve the lives of the previously disenfranchised. Warren clearly intends to portray Willie as a man at least partially devoted to performing good deeds. Warren is also dedicated to making Willie an unsavory man. He provides the reader with ample evidence that Willie is both pure and rancid. Willie's administration is characterized by employing despicable tactics to achieve political goals, even though "the boss" oversees massive infrastructure. improvements in his state, it is impossible to ignore the blatant corruption of his administration. Willie uses exploitation and intimidation, betweenother disturbing methods, to impose his political program on Louisiana: “Willie Stark provoked the event by corrupting and blackmailing the legislature” (183). Stark's practices dishonor the integrity of American politics and destroy his image as a purely benevolent figure. Furthermore, the motive for many of Stark's actions is self-righteousness. Although he seems determined to improve the lives of commoners, he also seems driven by a selfish desire for iconic legacy. For example, he states, "I'm building this place...the best in the world...and I'm going to call it the Willie Stark Hospital and it'll be here long after I'm dead and gone and you're dead and gone." .." (281). Willie's infatuation with his heritage tarnishes the goodwill shown towards him by the people of Louisiana. Warren shows Stark providing for the people while implying that Stark's true intention is to immortalize himself as a godlike figure in American history, Willie also demonstrates a lack of honor in his private life. At the beginning of the novel, Warren portrays Willie as a devoted partner to his wife, Lucy. Willie towards Lucy deteriorates considerably as his political importance increases Willie becomes a sexual hedonist, unable to curb his attraction to women. Willie's extramarital encounters show that he has little respect for concepts. of loyalty and the marriage vows: "...A bunch of 'Nordic Nymphs' in silver thongs and silver bras came skating out...Then, when the last act was over, he (Willie) would say ' Good night, Jack,' and he and Josh Conklin's friend's friend were driving off into the night" (169). Willie seems to believe himself above the moral code and his intimate desires lead him to betrayal. In summary, Warren strikes a delicate balance in the character of Willie Stark. Willie championed the rights of the common man and defended them so effectively that he became one of the most beloved figures in Louisiana history. On the other hand, his motivations are often selfish, his tactics include intimidation and corruption, and his disloyalty to his wife is legendary. The astute reader may recognize the contradictory nature of Willie Stark as one of the most striking paradoxes of 20th century literature. In Washington Square, Henry James presents a complex portrait of the wealthy city slicker, Dr. Sloper. Much like Willie Stark, Dr. Sloper is an ambiguous man. Henry James delicately develops the character of Dr. Sloper in a way that clearly achieves the desired balance between morality and malevolence. Many good-hearted qualities are attributed to him. One of the main pillars of the novel is Dr. Sloper's reaction to Morris, whose sole purpose is to take advantage of Dr. Sloper's daughter, Catherine. Dr. Sloper recognizes Morris as a conniving "gold digger" and fights off the man's intrusion with admirable skill. Although some might argue that Dr. Sloper's crusade against Morris is solely to avoid financial losses, his true intentions run deeper: he will protect his daughter from corrupting forces at all costs. Dr. Sloper's financial assets are both abundant and secure, so he would not devote all of his time to extinguishing a purely economic threat. The main catalyst for his campaign against Morris is the integrity of his daughter, Catherine. Dr. Sloper's devotion to his daughter is fundamental evidence of the human component of his character. Dr. Sloper's commendable qualities extend beyond his commitment to protecting his daughter. He is also generous, using his considerable fortune to benefit others. His generosity, even if not always fully appreciated, is omnipresent. During atraveling to Europe with Catherine, Dr. Sloper finances a series of lavish gifts to give to her relatives in the Americas: "...she (Catherine) opened them and showed her aunt some of the spoils of her travels to the 'stranger. were rich and abundant; and Catherine had brought back a gift for everyone..." (172). Dr. Sloper demonstrates a willingness to please himself and his generosity should be recognized as one of his respectable qualities. Dr. Sloper also acknowledges that it is by no means perfection. While many wealthy aristocrats refuse to acknowledge their miscalculations, Dr. Sloper is tormented by his own. As a doctor, he considers his first duty to be to protect his family from the harm of nature. He fails to prevent his wife's death, thus failing in the most basic task of a doctor. As a result, Dr. Sloper submits to a life of self-criticism. While conventional aristocrats are arrogant, Dr. Sloper is tormented by inadequacy: “Our friend, however, escaped criticism; that is to say, he escaped all criticism except his own, which was by far the most competent and formidable” (6). As Dr. Sloper mourns the death of his wife with intense emotion, his acute feelings of love and anguish become evident. This incessant self-criticism makes Dr. Sloper seem more authentic and more human. Despite this praise, all is not well with Dr. Sloper's character. He uses treacherous tactics to snatch his daughter from Morris's clutches. Dr. Sloper is radicalized by the ordeal that Morris and Catherine experience and rarely spares his daughter's emotional stability in his attempt to achieve their separation. Dr. Sloper is the cause of much of Catherine's misery and depression. He embodies the image of a dominating father and unleashes countless threats to try to frighten Catherine and make her lose her ties with Morris. Dr. Sloper's unfatherly behavior includes threats and intimidation: "You're trying my patience...and you should know what I'm like." I'm not a very good man... deep down, I'm very passionate; and I assure you that I can be very harsh” (165). Dr. Sloper makes it his priority to be feared by Catherine rather than loved, and continues his policy of alarm towards Catherine by suggesting that the apocalyptic scenarios will be the result of a union between her and Morris. He goes beyond the realm of reality with his far-fetched predictions and claims that even famine will result from Catherine's irresponsibility: "Would you like to be left in a place like this, to die of hunger?... Such will be your fate – this is how he (Morris) will leave you” (166). Dr. Sloper's willingness to sacrifice the emotional health of his only daughter to achieve a certain goal is revolting. His use of fear and coercion depicts him as a verbal cannibal, mercilessly eating away at the happiness of his companions. Additionally, Dr. Sloper seems to take pride in his despotic way of governing. He believes that maintaining his lifestyle depends on strong government and is very proud of his successful use of intimidation. Dr. Sloper's recognition that he is the source of so much grief only increases his selfishness. He praises his authoritarian style, and his audacity becomes more and more noticeable as the novel progresses: "They are both afraid of me, as harmless as I am...And that is what I rely on , on the salutary terror that I inspire” (90). ). Dr. Sloper's disdain for human cheerfulness results in open haughtiness and adds to his devilish characteristics. It commands respect through fear, not affection, and builds relationships on dependence and.