Corruption In Neal Shusterman's 'Scythe'

Daniel May Ms. Clawson English III ACP 5 March 2024 Literary Analysis Essay. While it is clear that generally most advancements in technology are always positive and good, it is less clear if that is still the same when it's pushed to extremes. Additionally, it is important to note that in life, corruption can occur from pushing societal elements to extremes. The first signs of corruption can be a prime example of what not to get stuck any deeper into and can act as a warning for everybody. In the novel Scythe, Neal Shusterman highlights how the advancing of technology, intensive surveillance, and excessive greed ultimately leads to societal corruption. As the technological advancements in medicine and the Scythedom world have become virtually …show more content…

The one thing that the Thunderhead can’t control are the scythes; it leads to them having all the control or ability to do whatever unjustified desires they want. Ultimately, the intensive surveillance mixed with the double standards of the Thunderhead corroborate the idea that it does in fact cause corruption. Furthermore, when greed starts becoming too excessive, society also starts becoming corrupted as a result. One of the main characters who holds a substantial amount of power, Scythe Goddard, gets a bit too greedy because of the power he holds from his position. Neal Shusterman explains his position by writing, “‘Scythe Goddard is a visionary. That puts him on a level above every other scythe in MidAmerica. Maybe even the world.’ Goddard didn’t disagree” (Shusterman 132). This quote goes along with the fact that Goddard commits mass gleanings (killings) and shows no remorse whatsoever for them. At a private conference for whom only scythes and high powers can attend, Shusterman explains this by stating, ‘I have before me an anonymous note,’ the High Blade said, ‘which accuses Honorable Scythe Goddard of malfeasance.’ A rumble throughout the room.