How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Town from the waist up, country from the waste down. Get both votes. (2.65)
All the King's Men is full of pithy witticisms like this. They give it the flavor and feel of the time and place. This passage also points to the importance of appearance in the political arena.
Quote #2
It was a piece of luck for Willie. (2.143)
No one can accuse Jack Burden of not speaking plainly. Still, this is a rather brutal and cynical statement. If that schoolhouse fire escape hadn't collapsed, we might not even be reading this book. The tragedy is what propels Willie toward Boss-dom.
Quote #3
"Friends, read-necks, suckers and fellow hicks."(2.477)
Willie's speeches are certainly colorful. It's one thing to tell the crowd you are one of them, but it's another thing to get them to believe you. A huge part of Willie's talent is getting people to believe. Part of why he is so successful is because he really believes it himself.