Sociology Prompt 3
Connor Lehman
Due 3/6/14
Soc101

Throughout the movie “All The King’s Men”, the complexities of class as an important social factor appeared in almost every scene. Class is shown as a complex sociological reality that governs the social norm for a group of people. In the movie, Willie Stark uses class to his advantage, appealing to the hicks, and saying things like “Who would look after a hick but a hick”. Willie Stark also approaches the other end of the class spectrum, attempting to appeal to the money, the inhabitants of Burton’s Landing. Willie Stark acquires a large following through acting as if he was a hick. Willie uses class to solidify his vote with an entire group of people, all by appealing to that group’s economic needs. “Who would look after a hick but a hick” is a common phrase used by Willie Stark, appealing to the hicks’ through calling himself a hick. Referring to himself as a hick forms a sort of consciousness of kind, which assists in furthering his political career. From this movie we can infer that class does not necessarily depend on only monetary gradations, but instead social relations. While an initial view of a “hick” may include such things as low income or poor living conditions, it also can be viewed as a social relationship, something that connects to others and forms a “we”. Willie Stark also needs the support of the inhabitants of Burton’s Landing. While appealing to the hicks of the state helps his cause, he needs more than that. The hicks can provide him the vote, but Burton’s Landing needed to provide the monetary support. In this movie, Burton’s Landing represents the wealthy class, as opposed to the hicks representing the lower class. A comparable instance of these two classes was in Russia, where