It Can’t Happen Here
In his satirical novel, It Can’t Happen Here, Sinclair Lewis criticized the resurgence of conservative values during the depression era, characterized by promises of returning to glory, evangelism, and theatrical campaigns- similar to themes related to President Trump’s campaign and presidency, leading this novel to become popular again in the last four years. In the novel, Senator Windrip makes countless promises that, if elected president, he will restore the country to greatness by bringing back prosperity. The character of Windrip and his promises are surely modeled after the depression era’s Huey Long and his Share Our Wealth campaign that aimed to close the gap between the rich and the poor. Paralleled to both the character and Long’s promises is Donald Trump’s promise to “Make America Great Again.” Evangelism and the growing religious far right plays a role in the novel, the depression era, and even the 21st century. Senator Windrip is endorsed by Bishop Prang in the novel who no doubt represents Father Coughlin of the 1930s. A passionate critic of FDR and the New Deal, Father Coughlin and his followers were proof of the enormity and power of religion in America. Trump’s campaign and his eventual presidency has given evangelists in America a voice, or at the very least someone to rally behind, once again. Lewis criticizes the theatrics that had become American politics with passionate pleas to the nation not to trust the media, even calling them “so-called journalists.” Sound familiar? Again, it is really no wonder why the novel has become popular again since Trump’s 205-16 campaign for presidency. The parallels between how he operates and the rise of a fictional authoritarian dictator are astounding and appalling to say the least.
So what exactly is “it” that “can’t happen here?” “It” is the nation’s descent into fascism. The American public of the depression era and of today refuse to believe that fascism could exist in America- the land of the free- so we excuse slander of the media or turn a blind eye to internment camps or laugh as sexist remarks. Luckily, Lewis’ novel emphasizes education and journalism as two fundamental pillars of democracy. Basic and civic education are good starting points for eradicating ignorance and sparking intellectual debate. Honest journalism and trust in the media are crucial to providing the American people news and information.
Kaitlyn Andrade 336E Spring 2020 