REALISTS, IDEALISTS, AND POLITICAL HEROISM

A discussion of the nature of political heroism & the standards that should be applied to or expected from political leaders. Three recent works of political fiction are considered: Robert Holt's A Man for All Seasons (New York: Vintage, 1960), Robert Penn Warren's All the King's...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Soundings (Nashville, Tenn.) Tenn.), 1985-04, Vol.68 (1), p.21-41
Main Author: SELTSER, BARRY JAY
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Governors
Heroes
Heroism
Idealism
Leadership
Oaths
Political elections
Political systems
Politicians
Politics
Prayer
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Summary:A discussion of the nature of political heroism & the standards that should be applied to or expected from political leaders. Three recent works of political fiction are considered: Robert Holt's A Man for All Seasons (New York: Vintage, 1960), Robert Penn Warren's All the King's Men (New York: Harcourt, Brace & Co, 1946), & Robert Hochhuth's The Deputy (Winston, Richard, & Winston, Clara [Translators], New York: Grove Press, 1964). Three characters from each play are discussed, representing three contrasting roles: the realist, the idealist, & the hero. The realist & idealist elements in political heroism are analyzed, & the complexity of the political role is identified. Modifed AA
ISSN:0038-1861
2161-6302