The Corruption Of Power In Scythe By Neal Shusterman

Edmund Burke once stated, “The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse”. In the novel, Scythe by Neal Shusterman, in a future where humanity has overcome disease, war and even death, scythes are the only ones that can ‘glean’ or end lives to preserve the balance of population. Readers follow Rowan and Citra as they navigate the rocky apprenticeship to becoming a scythe, knowing that ultimately only one of them can be ordained. Through their new discoveries and trials in the scythedom, Shusterman conveys that because of the greed that comes with power, the morals of individuals are corrupted under it. Firstly, those in positions of power are held in high regard by others. As Scythe Faraday describes the jobs of scythes to his apprentices, the text states, “The idea that not all scythes were good was something neither Rowan or Citra had ever considered”(Shusterman 79).

To everyone, they were above the law, and all ‘consideration’ of wrongdoing. No one would question the authority of a scythe since they hold the power of ending life. Similarly, when Faraday first arrived at Citra's household and her entire household was bending over backwards to please him, Citra realized that,“Hope in the shadow of fear is the world’s most powerful motivator”(Shusterman 8). Her use of the word “motivator” emphasizes the impact that fear can have on the actions of individuals. Respect was not the only reason why scythes were treated as royalty. The fear of offending scythes kept people from causing trouble for them, demonstrating the role power has over one’s reputation. Additionally, as individuals gain power, the desire for more increases. On Rowan’s first “gleaning day” under Goddard’s apprenticeship, he notes, “With each step deeper into Goddard’s world, it becomes harder and harder to retreat”(Shusterman