Summary
It Can't Happen Here, Sinclair Lewis's chilling 1935 novel, paints a dystopian vision of fascism taking root in America. Written during the rise of European dictatorships, the book follows the ascent of a charismatic demagogue who becomes the United States' first dictator. Lewis's satirical yet eerily prescient work explores themes of democracy's fragility and the dangers of authoritarianism, serving as a stark warning about the potential for tyranny even in established democracies.
The novel's impact has endured for decades, with its themes resonating anew during times of political turmoil. Lewis and John C. Moffitt adapted It Can't Happen Here into a play in 1936, which was widely performed across the country as part of the Federal Theater Project. More recently, renewed interest in the book surged during the 2016 U.S. presidential election, with many drawing parallels between Lewis's fictional dictator and real-world political figures.
While It Can't Happen Here is often compared to other dystopian classics like George Orwell's 1984, its distinctly American setting and exploration of homegrown fascism set it apart. The novel continues to provoke discussion about the nature of democracy, the appeal of populism, and the ever-present threat of authoritarianism in modern society. Its enduring relevance serves as a testament to Lewis's keen insights into American politics and human nature.
Plot
In Sinclair Lewis's novel It Can't Happen Here, Senator Berzelius “Buzz” Windrip runs for president in 1936 on a populist platform, promising economic reforms and a return to traditional values. After winning the election, Windrip quickly consolidates power, outlawing dissent and establishing a paramilitary force called the Minute Men to enforce his authoritarian rule. He dismantles democratic institutions, curtails civil liberties, and transforms America into a totalitarian state modeled after European fascist regimes.
The story focuses on Doremus Jessup, a small-town newspaper editor who becomes an outspoken critic of Windrip's regime. As the government cracks down on opposition, Jessup joins an underground resistance movement called the New Underground. His anti-government activities eventually lead to his arrest and imprisonment in a concentration camp. With the help of his family and fellow dissidents, Jessup manages to escape and flee to Canada, where he continues working with the resistance.
Meanwhile, cracks begin to form in Windrip's government as the promised economic prosperity fails to materialize. Windrip is overthrown in a coup by his advisors and exiled to France. His Secretary of State Lee Sarason briefly takes power before being killed in another coup led by military leader General Dewey Haik. As Haik's brutal rule intensifies unrest across the country, armed rebellions break out and parts of the military defect to join the resistance.
The novel ends with the country descending into civil war between Haik's government forces and the growing resistance movement. Jessup continues his work as an underground operative, helping to coordinate rebel activities in occupied areas of Minnesota as the resistance gains strength and begins to liberate parts of the country from fascist control. The outcome of the conflict remains uncertain as the story concludes.
Themes
Rise of authoritarianism in a democracy
Dangers of demagoguery and populism
Erosion of civil liberties and free press
Resistance and opposition to tyranny
Manipulation of patriotism and traditional values
Corruption of power and political institutions
Individual moral courage in the face of oppression
Setting
Set in a fictionalized version of the United States during the 1930s, It Can't Happen Here paints a vivid picture of America during the Great Depression. The novel unfolds against a backdrop of economic hardship, political unrest, and growing fascist movements in Europe, mirroring the real-world tensions of the era.
While the story spans the entire country, much of the action takes place in the fictional town of Fort Beulah, Vermont. This small New England setting serves as a microcosm for the larger societal changes sweeping across the nation. The author's choice of a rural, traditionally democratic state emphasizes how authoritarianism can take root even in unexpected places.
As the narrative progresses, the geographical scope expands to include Washington D.C., New York City, and various concentration camps scattered throughout the country. These locations highlight the far-reaching impact of the fascist regime's policies and the resistance movement's efforts to combat them. The novel's setting effectively illustrates how quickly democratic institutions can crumble, transforming familiar American landscapes into scenes of oppression and conflict.
Characters
Berzelius “Buzz” Windrip: The charismatic but authoritarian politician who becomes President and establishes a fascist dictatorship. Windrip rises to power by appealing to patriotism and promising economic reforms. Once in office, he quickly consolidates power, suppresses dissent, and rules through a paramilitary force. His regime is characterized by nationalism, scapegoating of minorities, and the curtailing of civil liberties.
Doremus Jessup: The protagonist, a liberal newspaper editor in Vermont who becomes an outspoken critic of Windrip's regime. Jessup initially dismisses the threat of fascism in America but gradually becomes radicalized as he witnesses the erosion of democracy. He joins the resistance movement, is sent to a concentration camp, and eventually escapes to Canada to continue fighting against the dictatorship.
Lee Sarason: Windrip's chief political adviser who later betrays him and briefly becomes president himself. Sarason is the intellectual force behind Windrip's rise to power, crafting his populist message and authoritarian policies.
Shad Ledue: Jessup's former handyman who becomes a local official in Windrip's government. Ledue abuses his newfound authority to settle old scores and terrorize Jessup's family.
Walt Trowbridge: Windrip's main opponent in the presidential election who later leads the resistance movement against the regime. Trowbridge represents traditional American democratic values.
Sissy Jessup: Doremus Jessup's daughter who becomes involved in resistance activities. She helps expose corruption within the regime.
General Dewey Haik: A military leader who eventually seizes power from Sarason in a coup. Haik represents the militaristic aspect of the fascist regime.
Bishop Prang: A popular radio preacher who initially supports Windrip's candidacy. He is based on the real-life figure Father Charles Coughlin.
Quick facts
The novel was published in 1935, during the rise of fascism in Europe, and was inspired in part by Huey Long's populist political movement in the U.S.
Lewis wrote the 458-page novel in just 4 months, finishing it shortly before Huey Long's assassination in September 1935.
The book became a bestseller, selling over 320,000 copies in its first few months.
Lewis and John C. Moffitt adapted the novel into a play that premiered simultaneously in 21 theaters in 17 states in 1936.
MGM purchased the film rights in 1935 for $200,000 but never produced the movie, likely due to political pressure.
The novel's dictator character, Buzz Windrip, is believed to be based on Huey Long, while the character Bishop Prang was inspired by radio priest Charles Coughlin.
Sales of the book surged after Donald Trump's election in 2016, with many drawing parallels between Trump and the novel's authoritarian leader.
A new stage adaptation premiered at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in 2016, timed to coincide with that year's presidential election.
The novel inspired the title and concept of Joe Conason's 2007 non-fiction book It Can Happen Here: Authoritarian Peril in the Age of Bush.
In 2017, Penguin released a new edition of the novel on the day of Trump's inauguration, reflecting renewed interest in its themes.
About the Author
Sinclair Lewis was a pioneering American novelist who rose to prominence in the 1920s with his satirical portrayals of middle-class American life. Born in 1885 in Minnesota, Lewis had a prolific career spanning over four decades, during which he published 22 novels and numerous short stories. His most famous works include Main Street (1920), Babbitt (1922), Arrowsmith (1925), and Elmer Gantry (1927), which cemented his reputation as a sharp critic of American society and values.
Lewis's writing was characterized by its “vigorous and graphic art of description” and his ability to create memorable characters that embodied the foibles of American culture. He often targeted themes of conformity, materialism, and hypocrisy in small-town and urban settings. In 1930, Lewis became the first American author to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, a testament to his significant impact on world literature and his role in bringing American letters to international attention.
Throughout his career, Lewis maintained a complex relationship with his home country. While he was celebrated for his incisive portrayals of American life, he was also critical of what he saw as a reluctance among American writers and readers to confront the nation's flaws. This tension was evident in his Nobel lecture, where he praised contemporaries like Theodore Dreiser and Ernest Hemingway while lamenting the tendency in American literature to glorify all things American.
Lewis's later years saw a decline in his literary output and critical reception, but his influence on American literature remained significant. His novel It Can't Happen Here (1935), a cautionary tale about the rise of fascism in America, has seen renewed interest in recent years. Despite fluctuations in his reputation, Lewis's keen observations of American society and his contributions to the development of realism in American fiction ensure his place as a major figure in 20th-century literature.
