The Public Burning written by Robert Coover is the novel which is definitely not going to run its course in the near future. The story is based on the events which took place during the Cold War in 1970s, when the United State were seized with hysteria caused by the Red Threat. It would be unreasonable to assume that the citizens of the U.S.A. – just like the citizens of the Soviet Union – had no motive for panicking, for the tension between the countries was too real to ignore it. The memories of the World War II were still alive and the prospects of the new military conflicts between two major superpowers would mean the end of the world. No wonder that people were afraid and saw a threat in everything. The author also depicts the way the press works. The serious process of brainwashing was going on. The most popular newspapers were filled with articles about the enemy, its cunning and evil deeds. That wasn’t wholesome atmosphere to live in and consequently was one of the scariest periods of the world’s history. Robert Coover creates a real masterpiece, which, in spite of the frightening events described in it, is capable of making a reader feel the impressive variety of different emotions. Sometimes it is hilariously funny, sometimes it is rather sad, but it is always interesting to read.
The narrator, Richard (Dick) Nixon, is the round character. Readers see a politician, who doesn’t think twice before ruining his opponents’ careers, has no respect for the majority of his colleagues, despises the Democrats and whatnot. He is definitely not a man people usually like spending their time with. At the same very time, he is often portrayed as a person, who needs support and understanding, but doesn’t get it. Not to mention, that the moments when he is not seized with the fear for the Phantom, the man is capable of compassion.
The rivalry between Uncle Sam and the Phantom is the one of the central themes of the story. According Uncle Sam, he is the bearer of light and truth, a fighter against evil. But does he correspond the described image? The answer is hardly. He knows that the Rosenbergs are innocent and let them die in the most outrageous way just to show the Phantom what he is capable of. Uncle Sam is a narrow-minded and cruel character, who deems himself to be the only one who is right.
The Public Burning is the novel about importance of common sense. We are all people and that means that we are not perfect. There are no sons and daughters of the Light and the Darkness. We all make mistakes and have our own insecurities. Instead of looking for differences between us, humankind should focus on the things that unite us otherwise we are doomed to start the new war which is the last thing all of us need. Robert Coover’s work should remind us of the fact that the not everything that is published in the newspapers or said on the TV is true.
