Sinclair Lewis’s apocalyptic political novel “It Can’t Happen Here” was published in 1935. It depicts the ascension of a US tyrant in the fashion of Adolf Hitler. Namely, the story follows the emergence of Berzelius “Buzz” Windrip, a populist who became President of the United States after instilling fear and promising substantial social and economic changes while championing patriotism and conservative values. In the present paper, the summary of the work is presented, as well as its application to the modern world’s developments.
Doremus Jessup, the owner and editor of Vermont magazine, identified as a middle-class liberal thinker, is the main character in the book. Jessup initiates the novel as a sarcastic but distant observer of politics, but by the end of the book, he has become an active part of the resistance. In contrast to several characters in the story who believe that totalitarianism cannot happen in America, the book depicts how simple it would be for a charming, populist leader to climb to authority during times of economic hardship and install totalitarian control in America. The belief that totalitarianism that was engulfing the world at the moment would not be possible in America lies as the foundation for the book’s title.
The novel opens when Berzelius “Buzz” Windrip runs for the Democratic nomination, promising to revive American wealth and glory while presenting himself not as a politician but as the embodiment of the ordinary man. While Windrip is a charming and popular candidate, his secretary, Lee Sarason, is the brains behind his effort. Meanwhile, Doremus Jessup chronicles Windrip’s ascension and concerns that Windrip will impose totalitarian control if elected (Lewis, 2014). However, he accomplishes nothing and is repeatedly informed that such a task is unattainable for an American politician. Windrip comfortably beats his Republican rival, Walt Trowbridge, after winning the Democratic primary.
Windrip consolidates his control quickly after his inauguration. He creates his paramilitary force, the Minute Men, an official branch of the US Army. He abolishes the authority of Congress and the Supreme Court, establishing himself as the country’s unrestrained ruler (Lewis, 2014). The Minute Men impose temporary martial law and mercilessly suppress opposition. Windrip additionally administers jobless work camps, and potential dissidents are apprehended and deported to detention camps. Women’s, African-American, and Jewish rights are violated, and Sarason builds an enormous propaganda machine that takes over media and schools. Although Windrip’s election immediately depresses Jessup, he takes action after hearing a report of a rabbi and a scholar being slain by a Windrip government minister. He publishes an anti-Windrip column, prompting his imprisonment by his old mechanic, Shad Ledue, who now commands the regional Minute Men. Jessup’s son-in-law disrupts the trial and is executed on the spot. Jessup’s newspaper is obliged to print government propaganda, and Minute Men often raid his residence in search of forbidden publications. After some of his associates are detained at Trianon, the local detention center, Jessup resigns from the publication and joins the New Underground, a Canadian resistance group commanded by Walt Trowbridge. Jessup, his girlfriend Lorinda Pike, Buck Titus, and his children Mary and Sissy join the cell, which distributes anti-regime news and aids immigrants escape to Canada (Lewis, 2014). Jessup’s efforts, however, are ultimately discovered, and he is transferred to Trianon, where he is routinely tortured and abused.
While Jessup is in jail, his unit continues to function, albeit at a reduced capacity. Simultaneously, the government begins to crack under the strain of sustaining an ever-expanding Army and Minute Men, as well as economic incompetence and corruption. By this moment, Windrip has now become highly paranoid and power-hungry, and uprisings in the Midwest have started. Sarason, fed up with Windrip, seizes control in a coup d’etat. However, his feeble and flamboyant administration gradually loses popularity, and he is removed by Colonel Haik, the head of the Minute Men (Lewis, 2014). Haik’s leadership is worse than Windrip’s or Sarason’s, and in a desperate attempt to rekindle loyalty, he launches war on Mexico, sparking a widespread revolt against the state.
Jessup’s children plan his breakout from Trianon, and he goes to Canada to carry on his work. However, Jessup is dissatisfied with his life in exile and wants to come to America as a spy. His wish is granted following Haik’s takeover. The book concludes with Jessup incognito and operating a New Underground unit in regime-controlled Minnesota. According to Afflerbach (2019), scholars have frequently accused Lewis of failing to depict a fascist administration appropriately. However, Afflerbach (2019) believes that the novel contrasts fascism and liberalism through their reading cultures, valorizing his liberal protagonist’s progressive, pluralistic intelligence by showing political reaction as a weakness in reading habits. On the other hand, Lewis’s satire exhibits a problematic ambivalence regarding its protagonist and his principles since it consistently forecloses the realism novel’s liberal-democratic formal elements.
The topic was prophetic for the world’s situation at the time, and it continues to be so as one observes the current stormy currents in the United States. It is especially poignant as one remembers the attack on the United States Capitol after the House committee hearings. The Americans learned from highly reputable sources how former President Trump’s refusal to accept loss led to the insurgency. Indeed, it marked the first time a president-elect refused to recognize the results of the electoral process. Moreover, Americans heard assertions in testimony that Trump wanted federal forces to seize voting equipment around the country. He urged a large crowd of followers to demonstrate to the Capitol. However, the group was made up of right-wing paramilitary extremists whose beliefs were known to be discriminatory and belligerent.
In “It Can’t Happen Here,” too many individuals go along with totalitarianism, preferring timidity to express their convictions, which may lead to jail time, torture, or sudden death. Before, they heard hollow claims of prosperity and luxury and ignored the person behind the veil. Similarly, the past president served as a vehicle for millions of Americans to begin reversing a liberal tendency in the United States. He was a weak, unqualified candidate who created a character to garner a sufficient following, telling people only what they wanted to hear. Recently, President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have formed a democratic alliance in the United Governments, as well as a broad coalition of states, to assist Ukraine in protecting itself and punishing Russian soldiers. It is possible that if Donald Trump had been re-elected, the outcome of the Russian-Ukrainian war would have been predetermined from the start.
The Russian-Ukrainian war is in itself the result of the developments that are described in “It Can’t Happen Here.” Starting with populist democratic promises, Putin has gradually shifted his policies to promoting traditional values, conservatism, and justifications for staying in power. In turn, the democratically elected president has become a power-longing dictator who is incapable of fulfilling his economic and social promises. Putin has eliminated the possibility of opposition by providing authority and militant power to OMON and FSB, who crushed all the protests violently. Moreover, through the media, the Putin government has disseminated propaganda regarding the excellence of the president’s rule and demonizing the opposition. When social pressure became more evident, although relatively silent, Putin has launched a full-fledged war on Ukraine to gain people’s favor and raise patriotism by promising them a quick win. However, the war is still ongoing and does not seem to be won by the Russians. The people of the country became overtly obedient and accepting of the war as a result of their reluctant reaction to the populist leader’s power takeover and the rise of totalitarianism.
Thus, Lewis called for a politically active and informed populace capable of resisting demagogues’ hollow promises. Moreover, he sent a message for entrenched economic and political elites to be conscious of how they may be creating conditions conducive to totalitarianism’s flourishing. In turn, the American nation has always elected leaders and has never experienced a power grab. The American motto has always been like in the novel of the same name. Nevertheless, totalitarianism and fascism rise is possible unless people remain attentive and committed to the country’s unique constitution. As could be observed in the situation of Russia, overtake of power and weak opposition to it results in massive damage not only to that country but to the world in general.
References
Afflerbach, I. (2019). Sinclair Lewis and the liberals who never learn: Reading politics in it can’t happen here.Studies in the Novel, 51(4), 523–545.
Lewis, S. (2014). It can’t happen here (M. Meyer & G. Scharnhorst, Eds.; Reprint). Signet.