The Election explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Freedom vs. Confinement

  Jerry argues that true liberty is not about party colors but about voting according to conscience, contrasting genuine freedom with the confinement of mob mentality and partisan manipulation.

• The Importance of a Good Character

  Jerry's refusal to compromise his principles for political gain demonstrates integrity and moral courage, emphasizing the value of a good character over partisan loyalty.

• Social Class and Exploitation

  Jerry criticizes the exploitation of working-class voters by wealthy candidates who are blind to the needs of ordinary people, highlighting class-based manipulation during elections.

Characters to notice

• Jeremiah Barker

  Jerry refuses to let his cab be used for electioneering, explaining his political principles to his family.

• Polly Barker

  Polly relays Mr. B's request about Jerry's vote and cab hire.

• Harry Barker

  Harry defends his sister Dolly from the orange boys and receives a lesson from his father about party politics.

• Dolly Barker

  Dolly comes home crying after being muddied and insulted by boys of the opposing faction.

• Jack

  Jerry mentions Jack as one of his horses that would be misused if the cab were hired for electioneering.

• Captain

  Jerry mentions Captain as one of his horses that would be misused if the cab were hired for electioneering.

Key passages

• “I should not like to have it pasted over with their great bills, and as to making Jack and Captain race about to the public houses to bring up half-drunken voters, why, I think 'twould be an insult to the horses.”

  Jerry refuses to let his cab be plastered with election posters or used to ferry intoxicated voters, as he considers it degrading to his horses.

  Jerry's principled stance against exploiting his horses for political purposes.

• “Liberty does not come from colors, they only show party, and all the liberty you can get out of them is, liberty to get drunk at other people's expense, liberty to ride to the poll in a dirty old cab, liberty to abuse anyone that does not wear your color, and to shout yourself hoarse at what you only half-understand—that's your liberty!”

  Jerry explains that party colors represent mere factionalism, not true freedom, and that the so-called liberty they offer is limited to drunkenness, insults, and ignorance.

  Jerry's critique of partisan politics and the hollow promises of electioneering.