Releasing Your Inner Machiavelli

Tom Perrotta's "Election" (1998) took place in a high school in suburban New Jersey during the 1992 US presidential election. The novel combined hot-button cultural themes with flawed and complicated characters, which could be seen in the author's other works.

"When I grew up in the 70s, there was a sense of political disillusionment, but there was still a hippy ethic where it was OK to bump around, temp a bit here and there and steer clear of the system. By the 80s all that had gone; there was no virtuous sense of living the life you wanted. If you hadn't made a fortune then you had missed the party. Well, the party is well and truly over now," he said.

Perrotta, who hailed from Newark, knew human nature too well. The school presidency may be different from the presidential elections (or the midterm elections), but it wouldn't be hard to see the similarities. It's not about power.

Meet the players

Tracy Flick wanted to be the next school president. She may not be the most popular student, but she was very ambitious and intelligent. The faculty even found her attractive, which would be a plus. She liked her chances in the upcoming election. One person saw it differently.

James McAllister, one of Tracy's teachers, didn't like her after what happened to Dave Novotny, another member of the faculty who happened to be his best friend. Teacher and student have an affair. He lost his job - and reputation - after Tracy confessed their relationship to her mother. Tracy's stature remained unscathed. Jim, as his family and colleagues called him, thought Tracy's manipulative behavior enabled her to get off the hook. He wanted her to teach a lesson, so he persuaded Paul Warren, a well-liked jock, to run against her.

Jim's plan could've worked out if he had enough faith in the electoral process. But he let his dislike (of Tracy) got the best of him, committing a fraud during the election. He lost his job and reputation.

What is their motive?

Jim had reasons to hold a grudge against Tracy, but certain chapters revealed how he couldn't stand strong women. (One chapter showed how Jim treated his wife, which would suggest misogyny.) It could be looked another way, which would expose Jim's insecurity. (Readers would be left to guess if Jim wasn't an outstanding student during his high school years.) On the other hand, Tracy wasn't Miss Congeniality, but she had the drive to succeed. Everyone love the fruits of success. This would bring us to the bigger picture.

The end justifies the mean.

Jim released his inner Machiavelli after he realized the school don't need Tracy Flint. In this case, it was the formal decision-making process. But it could happened in another scenario. Human nature can be complicated, even fickle. In a perfect world, it should be right over wrong. It wouldn't be human, though.