In a novel of alternative history, aviation hero Charles A. Lindbergh defeats Franklin Roosevelt in the 1940 presidential election, negotiating an accord with Adolf Hitler and accepting his conquest of Europe and anti-Semitic policies.
“It is no longer a matter,” says Churchill, “of the great American democracy taking military action to save us. The time has come for American citizens to take civil action to save themselves.”
The Nightmare of What If: A Look at Roth’s “The Plot Against America”
Philip Roth’s The Plot Against America is not just a provocative work of alternative history; it’s a chilling exploration of how easily democracy can unravel and the creeping insidiousness of prejudice. Published in 2004, the novel imagines a United States where Charles Lindbergh, the celebrated aviator and isolationist, defeats Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1940 presidential election. Roth, through the eyes of his younger self, a Jewish boy growing up in Newark, New Jersey, crafts a deeply unsettling narrative that resonates with contemporary anxieties about populism, nationalism, and the fragility of democratic principles.
The novel’s power lies in its meticulous realism. Roth doesn’t simply invent a fantastical scenario; he meticulously weaves historical figures and events into a believable tapestry of “what if.” Lindbergh’s platform, emphasizing American Firstism and non-intervention in Europe, is convincingly presented as appealing to a war-weary nation. The subtle shifts in societal norms, the gradual erosion of civil liberties, and the escalating atmosphere of anti-Semitism are depicted with chilling plausibility.
Roth masterfully portrays the insidious nature of prejudice. It doesn’t arrive in the form of jackboots and swastikas, but rather through “gentleman’s agreements,” whispers in the halls of power, and the normalization of anti-Semitic rhetoric. Programs like “Just Folks,” ostensibly designed to integrate Jewish youth into rural communities, are revealed as thinly veiled attempts at cultural assimilation and displacement, creating a palpable sense of unease and vulnerability.
However, The Plot Against America is not without its critics. Some argue that the novel veers into melodrama, particularly in its depiction of the escalating violence and paranoia towards the end. The characterization of Lindbergh, while grounded in historical facts, remains somewhat ambiguous, leaving the reader to grapple with the extent of his anti-Semitic leanings. This ambiguity, while potentially intentional, can leave a sense of unsatisfying incompleteness.
Furthermore, the novel’s focus on the Jewish experience, while deeply personal and compelling, arguably limits its scope. While Roth powerfully captures the rising fear and uncertainty within the Jewish community, it offers a less nuanced perspective on the broader societal implications of Lindbergh’s presidency. While the reader understands the Jewish community is suffering, the experiences of other marginalized groups are largely relegated to the periphery.
Despite these criticisms, The Plot Against America remains a profoundly important and unsettling work. Roth’s skill lies in his ability to make the unthinkable feel terrifyingly real. By grounding the narrative in the familiar and the mundane, he forces the reader to confront the potential for even a beloved national hero to become a vehicle for bigotry and oppression. The novel serves as a stark reminder that democracy is not a given, but a fragile construct that requires constant vigilance and a willingness to challenge the seductive allure of populism and xenophobia.
Ultimately, The Plot Against America is not just about a fictionalized past; it’s a warning about the present and a plea for the future. It reminds us to be wary of charismatic leaders promising easy solutions, to question narratives that divide us, and to fiercely defend the values of equality, tolerance, and justice. It’s a difficult, uncomfortable read, but one that remains powerfully relevant in an era grappling with its own anxieties about national identity and the future of democracy. The novel serves as a chilling reminder that the line between prosperity and nightmare can be thinner than we think.