Joy Glaze, Post One

The author chose to narrate the story through the voice of Henry Burton. Burton is an ideal narrator, because he is an insider in the campaign but also has the advantage of hindsight. At the time of the story, he was deeply involved and affected by what was going on within the campaigning process. Because the story is told in past tense, Burton is also able to give a broader perspective. The reader is able to see things from both the inside and out.
In the first chapter, before Burton is officially on board with the campaign, the reader learns his first impressions of Governor Jack Stanton. Burton observes Stanton at an adult literacy program, where Stanton’s people skills are excellently showcased. Through Burton’s narrative, the reader is able to view Stanton as an outsider would see him, but with the added knowledge of someone familiar with the behavior of political candidates.
Burton gives both a retelling of what was going on at the program as well as a commentary on Stanton’s motives. Though to the average person Stanton would have just seemed like a friendly Governor, Burton was able to reveal the message behind of each of his significant handshakes. This kind of combination between bystander observation and experienced analysis is what makes Henry Burton such a great choice for narrator.