It Can't Happen Here

Sinclair Lewis’s It Can’t Happen Here is a political novel that imagines the rise of fascism in the United States during the 1930s. The story follows Berzelius "Buzz" Windrip, a populist demagogue who wins the presidency by appealing to fear, nationalism, and economic insecurity. Once in power, he dismantles democratic institutions, creates a paramilitary force, and establishes a dictatorship under the guise of protecting American values.The narrative is seen largely through the eyes of Doremus Jessup, a small-town newspaper editor in Vermont. Jessup initially underestimates Windrip’s threat but soon witnesses the suppression of free speech, the persecution of dissidents, and the violent enforcement of the regime. His growing resistance to the government forces him into danger, exile, and underground opposition.Lewis’s novel serves as a cautionary tale about how easily democracy can be undermined when fear and authoritarian promises overshadow freedom. It highlights the fragility of civil liberties and the responsibility of individuals to resist tyranny before it becomes entrenched.