All the King's Men Education Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

That was my idea. It would be the nuts all right. The Boss sitting there with an old schoolbook in his hands. A good example for the tots. (1.210)

Part of the Boss's appeal is the fact that he doesn't have a fancy education because he couldn't afford it. He passes the bar exam by studying the law books for years. We also get a sense of Jack's quirky personality here. His coolness masks the passion for education that illuminates him.

Quote #2

"Lucy is the schoolteacher," I said. (2.7)

This is an early moment in the story of Willie Stark. His wife, Lucy, is all about education. Willie probably already wanted to transform the education system when he met her. In a way, their shared interest in education is the foundation of their relationship.

Quote #3

Three kids were killed outright. They were the ones that hit the concrete walk. About a dozen were crippled up pretty seriously and several of those never were much good afterward. (2.152)

This image is terrifying for many reasons. The horrible sight of dead and crippled children and the image of a school broken apart by tragedy touch us all. It is also, as Jack rather cynically points out, the tragedy that almost ensures Willie's political success.