Michael Coralli Post One

This little piece of prose is narrated by Henry Burton a former political aid who happens to be an African American. Burton’s ethnicity plays an important aspect in the story as it is a common ground between the author and the reader that can continually be touched on. And whether we like it or not it sets the Henry as a character apart. As you read it is easy to forget that Henry is black but then he will have a small quip or offhand comment that brings you back to where you started and I believe this in an important tool for the author as a sort of check-up with the reader every once in a while to remind them just what’s going on. The narration itself is simple and concise and you have the benefit of first-hand experience in what’s going on in the story instead of the clear-cut third-person omniscient narration where everything is laid out nice and neat for you. The opinions and comments Burton makes give you an opportunity to disagree or connect further with the narrator.

One of my personal scenes in the book occurs at the beginning of chapter 2 when after a short dialogue and description of a new character Richard. A very funny albeit inappropriate event occurs between Richard and A young muffin working for gov. Jack Stanton. This interesting event is an essential part to the exposition to the story because it sets up a host of unusual characters and interesting situations into which Henry is thrust and handles it with outside calm but the reader is granted with a wonderful view into what Burton is thinking so you get a feel for what sort of composure it takes to be in a higher campaign office and as an undertone the two-facedness of politics and the common practice of saying one thing and meaning another. I think this situation was in particular use because of the insanity and hilarity of the situation is a cushion for the reader before they are thrust into more serious and meaningful situations where there is no comedy only the raw shock and scramble to control the affects.