The Lessons of the Past

Cara Ferguson

Profiles In Courage

Book by President John F Kennedy

Whether it be 1958 or 2018, political debates have never ceased to escalate to a heated, and sometimes, destructive level. In President John F. Kennedy’s book, Profiles In Courage, the former senator of the 1950’s, one of the United States most influential decades, recollects on the novel actions of politicians that preceded him. Kennedy selects a handful of men to focus on, first establishing the circumstances under which these men were faced with, then delivers an in depth analysis of their unorthodox or unpopular actions, furthermore explaining their impact on the country. The precedent left behind by these senators paved the way for others to follow by example. Within the confines of the front and back cover, the author crafts a captivating novel that manages to lure the audience in through descriptive language, and more importantly a story that readers can relate to and be entranced by.

Kennedy does an excellent job at giving life to historical figures that are remembered typically through the pages of a history textbook. In order to learn from one’s mistakes, they must understand the causes and reasonings behind their actions and motives-leading them to alter such decisions for the future. Learning the facts and figures of history can only do us so much good, before the limits of understanding and reliability are constrictive. The author of the novel clearly focuses much of his energy on descriptive and lively language when constructing the story of our democracy. Every word appears to be chosen with close precision, every sentence with an invaluable purpose. While telling the story of Massachusetts Senator Daniel Webster, President Kennedy makes it apparent that doing so would be an injustice without telling the stories of two other men, Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun. Rather than assert the black and white commentary about these infamous men to the reader, Kennedy delicately and artistically transforms them into characters that are meant to tell a certain story, “[Henry Clay] a being so brilliant yet so corrupt, which, like a rotten mackerel by moonlight, shines and stinks” (53), and “John C. Calhoun of South Carolina, with bristling hair and eyes that burned like heavy coals...had a mind that was cold and narrow, concentrated and powerful” (54). The colorful commentary brings the novel to a whole new level of storytelling that draws in even the most apathetic of audiences. Not only does President Kennedy’s poetic language make the book worth a read, but also the subject matter is compelling in of itself.

Similar to the government practice in America today, the author emphasizes that throughout decades of politics and government, that one’s involvement could cost them more than they bargained for-if they are doing the job right “But to those who felt a dual loyalty to their state and country...the decision was agonizing, for the ultimate choice would involve the breaking of old loyalties and friendships, and the prospect of humiliating political defeat” (52). The themes that Kennedy discusses are forever timeless, and are relevant to almost any decade. He manages to take a rather genre, and open it up to a much more broad audience. Kennedy breaks down the boundaries of typical genres of literature, and melts them together to produce something that continues to transcend time. Politics is a topic, that in the past, too many have avoided in fear of causing chaos or disruption in their peace. Present Kennedy does an eloquent job at appealing both political parties, and people of various ideals, by highlighting both parties’ triumphs and flaws.

Profiles in Courage is certainly worth the read. Never before has there been a book so revolutionary conceptually, that it challenges our modern concept of literature's relationship with politics. Instead of condemning the actions of the past, Kennedy accentuates the good deeds of those before us. He manages to find commonalities between two polar opposite groups, reiterating the fact that both want what's best for the country. Not only did the experience of the book turn out to be enjoyable, but the lessons that last following the last page alter one’s perspective on modern day politics, as well as the pressure our elected officials are under. In a political climate as hot as this one, it may serve our society best if more people read this book, and educated themselves on the way history has unfolded, leading us to where we are now.