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Sarah Churchwell asks — Will American democracy survive the Dark Enlightenment?

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Dec 23, 2025

Guest

Sarah Churchwell

Sarah Churchwell, historian of American literature and public memory, explores how myths like Gone with the Wind shape politics. She traces white supremacist narratives, Christian nationalism, tech-funded neo-feudal ideas, and coordinated attacks on universities, libraries and media. The talk charts the long history behind today's restorationist populism and what is at stake for democratic knowledge.

54:33

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Episode notes

insights

INSIGHT

Forgetting Facilitated Fascism's Return

American fascism didn't disappear; it was driven underground and later resurgent in different forms.
The Brown Scare buried public reckoning, allowing far-right currents to persist and adapt.

insights

INSIGHT

How Fringe Ideas Entered Mainstream Politics

The John Birch Society repackaged far-right paranoia into institutional politics and long-term influence.
Its America First and anti-democratic ideas migrated into mainstream conservative movements.

insights

INSIGHT

Religion As A Justification For Power

Christian nationalism fuses religion with state power, framing pluralism as sin and opponents as enemies.
Churchwell describes this fusion as a theological logic that legitimizes authoritarian ambitions.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Culture Shapes Politics: America vs the United States

02:06 • 4min

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Gone with the Wind as White Supremacist Myth

05:43 • 6min

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Reconstruction, Redemption, and American Insurrections

11:14 • 3min

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Interwar Fascism and American Echoes

14:15 • 4min

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Memory, Forgetting, and the Brown Scare

18:37 • 51sec

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John Birch Legacy and the Rise of America First

19:27 • 4min

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Christian Nationalism's Role in Authoritarianism

23:45 • 2min

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The Hollowed American Dream

25:54 • 5min

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Trumpism: Restorationist Populism Meets Policy

31:01 • 2min

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Attacks on Universities and the Dark Enlightenment

32:42 • 4min

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Tech Billionaires, Neo-Feudalism, and Spectacle

36:12 • 1min

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Libraries as Democratic Symbols and Targets

37:29 • 4min

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What the Enlightenment Built and What’s at Stake

41:07 • 2min

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Defending the Humanities as Public Reason

• Mentioned in 11 episodes

The International Jew

William Cameron

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The Wrath to Come

Gone with the Wind and the Lies America Tells

Sarah Churchwell

In *The Wrath to Come*, Sarah Churchwell examines the cultural and historical context of *Gone with the Wind*, highlighting its racist portrayals and the broader societal implications. The book draws parallels between the novel's themes and contemporary American issues, including the rise of fascism and the January 6th Capitol riot. Churchwell critiques the romanticization of the past in American culture, emphasizing the need for a truthful reckoning with history.

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• Mentioned in 10 episodes

Passing of the Great Race

Madison Grant

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• Mentioned in 41 episodes

Gone with the Wind

Margaret Mitchell

Published in 1936, 'Gone with the Wind' is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that explores the complexities of human passions during the American Civil War and Reconstruction. The story revolves around Scarlett O’Hara, the spoiled and manipulative daughter of a wealthy plantation owner in Georgia, as she navigates through heartbreak, ambition, and survival. The novel vividly depicts the dramatic changes and social upheaval of the time, featuring a cast of unforgettable characters including Rhett Butler, Melanie Hamilton, and Ashley Wilkes. It is a sweeping narrative filled with intricate character relationships, emotional depth, and a striking commentary on resilience in the face of adversity.

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• Mentioned in 4 episodes

The Epic of America

James Truslow Adams

In 'The Epic of America', James Truslow Adams provides a comprehensive historical overview of the United States from the English settlement to the twentieth century. He defines the 'American Dream' as a vision of a land where life should be better and richer for everyone, with opportunities for each person according to their ability or achievement. Adams emphasizes that this dream is not merely about material prosperity but about a social order where individuals can attain their full potential regardless of their birth or position. The book is significant for its articulation of the American Dream during a period of economic crisis, the Great Depression, and for its broader historical context that underscores the enduring ideals of American society.

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• Mentioned in 64 episodes

Careless People

Murder, Mayhem, and the Invention of the Great Gatsby

Sarah Churchwell

Sarah Churchwell's "Careless People" delves into the creation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece, "The Great Gatsby. " The book explores the historical context surrounding the novel's writing, examining the social, political, and cultural forces that shaped its themes and characters. Churchwell sheds light on the misconceptions surrounding the Jazz Age and the novel itself, challenging conventional interpretations. She reveals the intricate details of Fitzgerald's creative process and the evolution of his ideas. The book offers a fresh perspective on "The Great Gatsby," enriching our understanding of its enduring relevance.

Historian Sarah Churchwell takes you on a gripping and confronting journey into America's recent past to explain its extraordinary present, starting with dark story at the heart of that American classic Gone with the Wind. Knowledge lies at the heart of a healthy democracy, and its many custodians include libraries, universities, cultural institutions, and a free and independent media. So what happens when these institutions are intimidated, dismantled or destroyed, as is happening in America, under the government of President Donald Trump?

This event was recorded at the University of Technology Sydney's Vice Chancellor's Democracy Forum on 14 May 2025.

Original broadcast on June 17, 2025.

Speakers

Sarah ChurchwellProfessor of American Literature and Chair of Public Understanding of the Humanities at the University of LondonAuthor, The Many Lives of Marilyn Monroe, Careless People: Murder, Mayhem and The Invention of The Great Gatsby, Behold, America: A History of America First and the American Dream, and The Wrath to Come: Gone with the Wind and the Lies America TellsDirector, Being Human festival and Living Literature event seriesJudge, Man Booker Prize

Anna Funder (host)Author, Wifedom, Stasiland and All That I AmLuminary and Ambassador, University of Technology Sydney

Roy Green (host)Emeritus Professor and Special Innovation Advisor at University of Technology SydneyFormer Dean of the UTS Business SchoolChair of the UTS Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Hub

Further information

From Gatsby to Huck Finn — American literature in an age of polarisation - Sarah Churchwell on Big Ideas, ABC Radio National 4 November 2024

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