Book-Review
Name of the book: “It can’t happen here”
Author: Sinclair Lewis
Books authored in
certain circumstances often depict the social condition the author dwelled in.
The book “It can’t happen here” by Sinclair Lewis is a typical example for this
statement. An “electrifying novel” as expressed by the author himself, the book
depicts the theme “Fascist governance will not be allowed”. The book has a lot
of resemblance with the present political scenario of India. The character of
the book is a dictator and fascist like Hitler, Mussolini, Franco etc. The
Prime Minister of India Narender Modi can also be counted one among them though
he is a little below their level. The comparison we feel with Modi when we read
the novel is in fact awesome. The similarities of our present scenario create
this awesomeness.
The main character
“Windripp” says he is the champion of the traditional cultures and customs of
America. He also promises 5000 USD (approximately 15 lakhs today) to all
citizens if he wins the election even if there arises the necessity of taking
loan from the Swiss Bank. Thus he becomes the President by defeating Roosevelt
and begins implementing the fascist’s policies by reshaping the administration
to a kind of dictatorship.
Any opposition is dealt
with a severe blow. Concentration camps are set up to deal with the opposition
members. A team called ‘Minute Men’ (similar to Sangh Pariwar) is formed so as
to create fear among the people. He implements the fascist policies and the
corporate administration using gang power. His first attempt is to decrease the
influence of the American congress. This calls for opposition from the
legislative assembly but the protest is dealt with iron fist. The rights of the
women and the minorities are curtailed. The federal system is man-handled. The
members of the ‘Minute Men’ or the representatives of the corporate and
industrialists are brought to the key posts of the administration. The innocent
protestors are tried in courts and jailed while the culprits and criminals of
the Minute Men are let free. Even after all these cruelties and dictatorial
tactics the American public view his policies as the “inevitable pain” to
regain the vigour and strength of America. Senator Town Bridge along with the
protestors declares “it can’t happen here”.
The novel was written
in the American scenario 90 years back. Perhaps we can see a reflection of the
novel today in India. The issue we are facing here is that we don’t have a
leader like Town Bridge or activists like the main character in the novel
Dorimus Jessup to face the fascists with courage. Fascism has only ruined any
nation where it came to power; it has only divided the people not united them;
it has only given misery to the people; Fascism has flourished through riots and
havoc – Sinclair Lewis’s novel points out these facts.
https://thecompanion.in/review-narendra-modi-is-similar-to-windripp-main-character-of-sinclair-lewiss-novel/
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