Despite being a minor character in the novel All the Kings Men, Anne Stanton plays a key role in the development of the story and character development. Anne's loss of innocence results in the death of her brother Adam, the murder and self-destruction of her lover Willie Stark, and, near the end of the novel, the happiness of the narrator, Jack Burden. Whether Anne knows it or not, her decisions and reactions are vital to the other character's progress, both emotionally and mentally. Without Anne, the plot of All the Kings Men would lack substance and maturation. As Anne goes from innocent girl to devoted humanitarian, her struggle to keep the only known surviving member of her family, Adam Stanton, happy is a daunting task. During Anne's childhood, her older brother, Adam Stanton, protected her and took her on trips to the beach with his friend Jack Burden. Adam, in chapter three, stops Anne from going swimming when a storm appears to be approaching. Anne's persuasive attitude convinces Adam that it's okay to swim and he and Jack join her. This demonstrates Adam's ability to trust Anne and his willingness to take risks. As Anne grows up, she sees her brother as a loner with no love interests who doesn't take care of himself. Anne, most likely seeing a bit of Adam in herself, decides to push Adam into taking a job Jack offered him through Jack's boss, Willie Stark. Although Anne just wants Adam to do more with his life rather than live in a dingy apartment. playing the piano, he does not know Adam's insecurity as a surgeon and as a man. As Anne tells Jack: “He has to take the job. I mean it. To save himself. For himself. (Warren, 247) Initially Anne does not…half of the paper…her murder as well as her brother's murder. Anne later leans on Jack for support and eventually realizes that she loves him which is why Jack no longer gets caught up in the big sleep and marries Anne. Without Anne's moments of weakness and self-discovery, Jack would never have ended up with Anne. Without Anne, three major characters, Adam Stanton, Willie Stark, and Jack Burden, would not have materialized in the roles their characters were meant to play. Anne Stanton, although seemingly insignificant, is vital to all three of their roles. Each of their roles is a crucial component to the novel as a whole and, in the larger scheme of things, a domino effect that adds purpose and meaning to the story. Anne's loss of innocence shows the maturation of a young girl to a woman growing up surrounded by the corruption of people she thought she could trust.