Packed with high stakes and inherent drama, it is little surprise that elections figure in many great novels. Drawn from our latest list of literary elections, here are excerpts from a few of our favorites classic fictional campaigns.
The Pickwick Papers, by Charles Dickens. “There was a moment of awful suspense as the procession waited for Samuel Slumkey to step into his carriage. Suddenly the crowd set up a great cheering. ‘He has come out,’ said little Mr. Perker. Another cheer, much louder. ‘He has shaken hands with the men,’ cried the little agent. Another cheer, far more vehement. ‘He has patted the babies on the head,’ said Mr. Perker, trembling with anxiety. A roar of applause that rent the air. ‘He has kissed one of ’em!’ exclaimed the delighted little man. A second roar. ‘He has kissed another.” He’s kissing ”em all!’ screamed the little gentleman. And, hailed by the deafening shouts of the crowd, the procession moved on.”
The Prime Minister, by Anthony Trollope.
“Arthur Fletcher with his gang of agents and followers behind him met Lopez with his gang in the street. Fletcher walked up to Lopez, and with a kindly smile offered his hand. …But Lopez who had, as the reader may remember, made some threat about a horsewhip, had come to a resolution of a very different nature. He put his arms a-kimbo, resting his hands on his hips, and altogether declined the proffered civility. “You had better walk on,” he said, and then stood, scowling, on the spot till the other should pass by. …No doubt the incident added a pleasurable emotion to the excitement caused by the election at Silverbridge generally. A personal quarrel is attractive everywhere. The expectation of such an occurrence will bring together the whole House of Commons.”
All the King’s Men, by Robert Penn Warren.
“Yeah,” I said, “I heard the speech. But they don’t give a damn about that. Hell, make ’em cry, make ’em laugh, make ’em think you’re their weak erring pal, or make ’em think you’re God-Almighty. Or make ’em mad. Even mad at you. Just stir ’em up, it doesn’t matter how or why, and they’ll love you and come back for more. Pinch ’em in the soft place. They aren’t alive, most of ’em, and haven’t been alive in twenty years, so it’s up to you to give ’em something to stir ’em up and make ’em feel alive again. Just for half an hour. That’s what they come for. Tell ’em anything. But for Sweet Jesus’ sake don’t try to improve their minds.”
Check out other titles in our literary elections list.
~ Posted by David W.
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