Politics is one way to get things done in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, but it's not the only way. Abe Lincoln's story here is partly about getting political power in order to change the world for the better, regardless of whether or not that change is politically expedient. But then, politics doesn't entirely work here, either. The North and the South don't find a political solution to slavery, and resort to war to solve this problem. But whether politics is successful (Abe gets elected president) or unsuccessful (the South secedes), Abe's life is, at the end of the day, a political one. For better or for worse.
Questions About Politics
- How do you think this book sees government? Does it function well or poorly? Is there a best, most effective experience of government in this book? For instance, Abe is very happy to get elected captain of his militia (6.31), but does that role give Abe any useful power? What about when Abe is elected to Congress?
- Do the vampires have any form of government? What about when Henry and the good vampires organize in "the Union"—is that a government? Do we ever see these vampires coming to any collective decision? If so, how do they arrive at that decision?
- How does this book present Abe's political enemies, like Stephen A. Douglas, Jefferson Davis, and George B. McClellan? Are there any qualities that they all share? Are they presented sympathetically or are they all villains?
- What role do vampires play in human politics? What role do women play in politics?