In the Pulitzer Prize winning novel “All the King’s Men” by Robert Penn Warren, the protagonist, Jack Burden, eventually decides that the Universe is ruled by “The Great Twitch”. This nihilistic cynicism arises from his experiences as the right-hand man of Governor Willie Stark in 1930s Louisiana. Stark begins as an idealistic lawyer and weak gubernatorial candidate but becomes a charismatic and powerful governor whose power is based on patronage, intimidation and corruption. The consensus is that the novel was inspired by the career and death of Governor Huey Long.
We read this novel in my freshman English class. I didn’t realize it until later but my grandfather’s brother, Shirley Wimberly, also a Louisiana politician of that era, was a sometimes ally and sometimes enemy of Long. He wrote an editorial in which he referred to Long as “the Crawfish”; he was usually referred to as “the Kingfish”. Governor Earl Long (Huey’s brother) eventually appointed Uncle Shirley to the Louisiana Criminal Bench.
Did you ever read that novel, Glen? When I read your post about twitches I had the feeling it resonated with some memory. Then I realized what it was.
Frank
Frank C. Wimberly
140 Calle Ojo Feliz
Santa Fe, NM 87505
Phone: (505) 995-8715 Cell: (505) 670-9918
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