Matthew Guzdial, Comments 1 and 2

1. I disagree with Naomi’s assertion that Burton has a “very factual view” of the story. Indeed most of the novel is comprised of Burton’s assessments and opinions about the people around him. Every time he meets someone, whether it is another candidate or a crazed lesbian, Henry Burton always draws conclusions about that person’s personality and wants. But I believe this is actually a strength, not a weakness, because Burton’s opinion is waited with many years in the political ‘game’. Besides this tiny point I completely agree with the rest of Naomi’s post.

 

2. I agree with everything within Nick’s post, all of his points were great. But the one and only thing I didn’t like within his post was the choice of scene he used to illustrate his analysis. I believe that Henry’s cool in this situation has more to do with waking up early and being shouted at then anything else. His actions after Libby’s call seem mechanic, merely following the crazed woman’s shouted orders. It is only when he reaches the Stanton suite that he seems to revive somewhat, becoming more himself as he observes the Stantons’ private lives. A better scene might have been one of the many violent meetings of the campaign staff, in which Henry Burton seems to be more an audience member himself then a staffer, but that is simply my opinion.