Our society revolves around the question of what is good and what is bad. We usually characterize human beings as essentially malevolent or benevolent. The world contains, however, a minority of people characterized by ambiguity, by a unique emotional balance that allows them to be both good and evil. In both Washington Square, by Henry James, and All the King's Men, by Robert Penn Warren, the attitudes of numerous characters are simultaneously humanitarian and corrupt. In both sagas, the authentic internal motivations and emotional fabric of Willie Stark and Doctor Sloper remain questionable. The authors intentionally remain unclear about each character's true nature in an attempt to convey that benevolence and integrity fall victim to the realities of life. Both Willie Stark and Doctor Sloper are presented as ambiguous; however, the progression of each plot shows the degradation of their morality. Each author suggests that social pressures subsume his character's altruism, as if to suggest that the contemporary world leaves no room for compassion. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Robert Penn Warren's literary mastery manifests itself in Stark's complexity. Stark is a man of surprising contradictions. He is loved and hated, devoted and disloyal, comforting but hurtful. Despite this ambiguity, Warren often describes Stark as utterly admirable. The people of Louisiana commonly remember him as a compassionate man who pursued many beneficial endeavors for the people of his state. To be sure, Stark's government improved living conditions in Louisiana and provided the state with better infrastructure. For those who are economically disadvantaged, improvements in streets, schools and health care outweigh the moral shortcomings of their leaders. The crown jewel of his populist agenda was his grandiose hospital complex: "I don't care how good they are, mine will be nicer... mine will be bigger, and any poor bastard in this state can go there and get the best." . it is and it doesn't cost him a cent" (279). People interpret Willie's relentless effort to improve the lives of his fellow "farmers" as a genuine display of good heart. Stark represents heroism in the eyes of the people, to which has made tangible improvements in lifestyle. Although Warren defines Willie's character as a balance between evil and friendship, his ability to make real progress safely gives him the support of the general public Despite the accusations of corruption and the advent of numerous scandals, the people expressed their loyalty to Willie through the ballot boxes and street demonstrations: "The crowd began to chant: "Willie, Willie, Willie - We want Willie!" (178). Too intense to interpret as desperation or propaganda effects, Willie's popularity comes from results - results that improve the lives of previously disenfranchised people. Warren clearly intends to portray Willie as a well-off man at least partially devoted to performing good deeds. However, Warren also takes pains to characterize Willie as unpleasant. It provides the reader with ample evidence that Willie's administration is both pure and rancid, characterized by the employment of despicable tactics to achieve his political goals. Although "the boss" oversees massive infrastructure improvements in his state, he is impossible to ignore the blatant corruption of his administration which Willie uses exploitation and intimidation, among other troubling methods, toimpose his political agenda on Louisiana: “Willie Stark caused the event by bribing and blackmailing the legislature” (183). Stark's practices dishonor the integrity of American politics and destroy his image as a purely benevolent character. Furthermore, the motive for many of Stark's actions is self-gratification. While he seems dedicated to improving the lives of ordinary people, he also seems to be driven by a selfish desire for an iconic legacy. For example, he states that "I'm building that place... the best in the world... and I'm going to call it Willie Stark Hospital and it will be there long after I'm dead and gone and you're dead and gone..." (281). Willie's infatuation with his heritage overshadows the goodwill the people of Louisiana bestow upon him. Warren shows that Stark provides for the people by implying that Stark's true intent is to immortalize himself as a divine figure in American history. Willie displays a lack of honor even in his private life. Early in the novel, Warren portrays Willie as a devoted partner to his wife Lucy. However, Willie's loyalty to Lucy deteriorates substantially as her political importance increases. Willie becomes a sexual hedonist, unable to limit his attraction to women. Willie's extramarital encounters show that he has nothing but disrespect for concepts of loyalty and the vows of marriage: "...A bevy of 'Nordic Nymphs' in silver thongs and silver bras came skating out...Then, when the last act was over, he (Willie) would say "Goodnight, Jack" and he and Josh Conklin's friend's friend would go off into the night" (169). Willie seems to think he is above the moral code and his innermost desires lead him to betrayal. In summary, Warren strikes a delicate balance in the character of Willie Stark. Willie defends the rights of the common man and protects them so effectively that he has become one of the most beloved figures in Louisiana history. Instead, his motivations are often selfish, his tactics include intimidation and bribery, and his disloyalty to his wife is legendary. The well-initiated reader might recognize the contradictory nature of Willie Stark as one of the most important paradoxes of 20th century literature. In Washington Square, Henry James presents an intricate portrait of the wealthy citizen, Dr. Sloper. Much like Willie Stark, Dr. Sloper is a duplicitous man. Henry James delicately develops the character of Doctor Sloper in a way that clearly achieves the desired balance between morality and malevolence. Many kind-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 combats the man's intrusion with admirable skill. While some might argue that Dr. Sloper's crusade against Morris is purely aimed at preventing financial loss, his true intentions run deeper: he will protect his daughter from corrupt forces at all costs. Dr. Sloper's financial resources are plentiful and secure, so he would not devote all 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 dedication to his daughter is a fundamental proof of the human component of his character. Dr. Sloper's commendable qualities go beyond his commitment to protecting his daughter. He is also generous and uses his considerable fortune to benefit others. His generosity, although not always fully appreciated, is always present. During a trip to Europe with Catherine, Dr. Sloper finances aseries of sumptuous gifts to be given to loved ones in the Americas: "...she (Catherine) opened them and showed her aunt some of the spoils of the trip abroad. These were rich and plentiful; and Catherine had brought home a gift to everyone..." (172). Dr. Sloper shows a willingness to indulge, and his generosity must be recognized as one of his respectable qualities. Dr. Sloper also recognizes that it does not constitute perfection at all. While many wealthy aristocrats refuse to acknowledge their miscalculations, Dr. Sloper is tormented by his. As a doctor, he considers it his primary duty to protect his family from the evils of nature. He fails to prevent his wife's death, thus failing in the most fundamental of a doctor's duties. 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, has escaped criticism; that is, he has escaped all criticism except his own, which was by far the most competent and formidable" (6). As Dr. Sloper mourns his wife's death with intense emotion, his keen senses of love and anguish become evident. This relentless self-criticism makes Dr. Sloper seem more genuine and human. Despite this praise, all is not well with the character of Doctor Sloper. He employs insidious tactics to snatch his daughter from Morris' clutches. Dr. Sloper is radicalized by the ordeal with Morris and Catherine, and rarely spares his daughter's emotional stability in an attempt to achieve their separation. Dr. Sloper is the cause of much of Catherine's misery and depression. He embodies the image of a dominant father and unleashes countless threats in an attempt to scare Catherine away from her ties to Morris. Dr. Sloper's unfatherly behavior includes threats and intimidation: "You try my patience... and you should know what I am. I am not a good man... I am very passionate at heart; and I assure you I can be very hard" (165). Dr. Sloper makes it a priority to be feared by Catherine, rather than loved, and continues his policy of alarming Catherine by suggesting that apocalyptic scenarios will result from a union between her and Morris. With his extravagant predictions he goes beyond the limit of reality and claims that due to Catherine's irresponsibility it will be death by starvation: "Would you like to be left to die of hunger in a place like this?... This 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 paints him as a verbal cannibal, ruthlessly devouring the happiness of his companions. Furthermore, Dr. Sloper appears to take pride in his despotic way of ruling. He believes that maintaining his lifestyle depends on firm rules and is very proud of his successful use of intimidation. Dr. Sloper's acknowledgment that he is the source of so much pain only adds to his selfishness. He praises his authoritarian style, and his brazenness becomes more and more evident as the novel progresses: "They both fear me, harmless as I am... And that's what I build on - the wholesome terror I inspire" (90) . Dr. Sloper's contempt for human joy translates into open haughtiness and adds to his diabolical characteristics. It demands respect through fear, not affection, and builds relationships on dependence, not mutual affection. Henry James clearly performs a literary balancing act in the evolution of Austin Sloper: on the one hand, Sloper is generous and sincerely concerned for the needs of his.