Pulitzer Book Club Inclusion Guide
"Dragon's Teeth"
by Upton Sinclair
INCLUSION MILESTONES
1943
• First mainframe computer weighs 5 tons, fills entire room
• Chinese immigrant exclusion law repealed
• Olympian POW Zamperini begins post-crash survival story
AUTHOR INSPIRATIONS
Sinclair’s devotion to socialism was triggered by upbringing contrasted by grandparent’s wealth and parent’s financial struggles. Sinclair was a renowned muckraker journalist and author who exposed corruption. He ran as a socialist for governor of California, campaigning to end poverty.
Greek mythology says that an armed warrior arises when a dragon’s tooth is planted.
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Featured Reader Wanted!
Featured Reader
– Share your key take-away about inclusion in this book in a sentence or two.
– Write a paragraph or two (up to 250 words) to describe your thoughts on exclusion/inclusion in the book, why you related or did not connect with the book, and why you think reading, inclusion and dialog about inclusion matter.
– Identify the name and website address of a cause you support with an inclusive mission.
Artsy playboy socialist “befriends” Nazi leaders to save Jewish friends.
Personal meeting with Hitler who, surprises, rants and verbally eviscerates.
Rise of Nazis explained in context of communism, socialism, and people with extreme wealth and desperate poverty during Great Depression and wake of WWI.
Wanted less: 662 pages, 24 hours
Hitler built a loyal coalition based on lies embraced by the disenfranchised and power seekers.
Great Depression socialite heiress married to socialist saving Jewish family persecuted by Nazis.
World slow to comprehend happenings in Germany in the early 1930s: propaganda,outrageous claims about demonized Jewish people, Hitler's Aryan racial purity, brutal discrimination. Intellectuals, artists, journalists enemies of the state as are communists, socialists, Catholics, black people, disabled individuals.Germans believe promises that they will be put to work, Germany will rise up after the ignominy of WWI/Versailles Treaty.
Serve a huge roasted boar’s head, venison haunch, and grouse fricassée on silver platters. Accompany with brandy sauce, hot punch, beer, cocktails, and side-eye.
"Fanaticism is a destroyer of mind."
Recreate hunting/espionage trip with despicable war criminal who was ultimately highest-ranking defendant at Nuremberg trials. Find setting that feels like hunting lodge in remote forest with gruesome trophies, stone fireplace, and, of course, guns and a piano.
Contrast the socialist to the socialite and discuss how their relationship evolves and why.
How do you feel about the distribution of wealth and socialism? Should those who build wealth enjoy it? What about those who create wealth via products like munitions?
What is social justice and what prevents it?
Where do you draw the line between fascism and democracy?
Compare/contrast Hitler to a current political leader and Hitler regime's propaganda with political techniques/media today.
Talk about the decision to save a loved one versus helping many you do not know versus protecting yourself.
Why don’t people believe nasty or inconvenient truths? Why do people believe outrageous lies and ugly stereotypes?
How do you feel about mediums, séances, and spirits? What stereotypes apply?
How does/should our educational system address Nazi Germany and horrors of American history including imprisonment of Japanese US citizens in American internment camps, slavery, land acquisition via the Mexican-American war, creation of reservation system for Native Americans, Salem Witch trials?
What is the role and power of literature, art, and music during wartime?
Yacht tour isn’t happening because Nazis. WWII about to erupt: European trip not great idea, so go to Long Island. Reflect in Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County, visit Museum of American Armor, see old masters at Heckscher Museum, and attend a violin performance and a séance.
Track down location of upcoming Liberty Hill Foundation’s annual Upton Sinclair celebration.
Dragon’s Teeth film (1931) and Czech mini-series (1997) along with quite a few movie versions of other Sinclair works.
Sinclair wrote nearly 50 novels in addition to his 11-book Lanny Budd series (1940 – 1953); Dragon’s Teeth, third Budd series novel. Sinclair rejected his Pulitzer win. 1921 Pulitzer jury recommended Sinclair’s Main Street; Columbia trustees decided Main Street failed Award’s “wholesome” requirement. Sinclair’s Babbitt (1922) bashed middle-class materialism; was, therefore, not selected by Pulitzer jury who recommended, “without enthusiasm,” One of Ours.