The Last Hurrah

The Last Hurrah

2006

The declining years spent in solitude and contemplation Possibly in some rustic retreat (O 'Connor , 1985 ,

. 3 . These words from the outstanding political saga by Edwin O 'Connor The Last Hurrah ' can be fairly referred to the state of American politics during last forty years . Political campaigns have always been discussed in many works . Each book in this genre gives its of how such campaigns are carried out giving the reader possibility to get into a proceeding . The Last Hurrah ' by Edwin O 'Connor presents the

reader the campaign of the mid-1950s in an Eastern city at that time when city politics were politics were ruled by tight party organizations able to reward and punish those who either helped or hurt its cause . The title informs much about the story subject and much about the political changes which occur in the city . A political campaign is treated here as a "hurrah " a word which means fun and joy . Elections are presented here like a sport competition , observed by the leaders on both sides and each team is eager of their candidate 's to win . But it is indicated in the title that this is the last campaign for Skeffington and he knows that well . He feels that this is his last hurrah , and that 's why he asks that his nephew to join the campaign . Skeffington 's son hasn 't chosen same way as his father , therefore the nephew was chosen as the person to whom he can pass all his knowledge and experience

Edwin O 'Connor presents a view of the difficult and hard life of the Irish-American community in Boston of the 1950 's . The author gives a range of features to produce s that refers to the political and social activities in this era . Using the narrative style which holds the reader 's interest , O 'Connor invites you to walk with him along the streets of the city and thus presents a brief discussion on old-time city politics . He does this with the help of Frank Skeffington . O 'Connor used also the other protagonist to perform his task - it 's John Gorman Gorman 's devotion to social activities and attitude to the religion and the family differ from the ideas proclaimed by the candidate and the corrupt political leader . While having conversation with Gorman at a party , Molly Riordan says about Frank Skeffington but his opinion regarding Skeffington was opposed by Gorman 's sceptical reply . Molly , in his turn , replied to that that Skeffington was the best of them all and that God loves him

Actually , it is rather difficult to speak about some considerable changes of political system of any country . Each political system has its stable traditions which always used to pass from one generation to the other . The whole political society can be represented like a family which is ruled by faith , politics and money - the subject which O 'Connor has applied to often before . Frank Skeffington tries...