I made a comment to the next thread down that I think the story focuses a lot on the "sheep mentality" and without that dehumanization that you're talking about, I don't think any attempt at that would have been successful. Dehumanization is definitely a big part of the story.
I think by the time the story is set, the town has reached a point where they don't see each other as humans anymore - at least not in the way we define human. The only way I can see people doing that to each other is if the dehumanization is constant throughout the year. Everyone around you is your potential murder victim and your potential murderer. How could you ever learn to trust someone fully and have them as your equal in that enviroment? The results of it can't just come out one day a year. There must be consequences of it in every day life, and we just don't see them within the story.
That is definitely no normal town the rest of the year.
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timeasmymeasure
Re: dehumanization
Date: 2006-03-07 08:34 pm (UTC)I think by the time the story is set, the town has reached a point where they don't see each other as humans anymore - at least not in the way we define human. The only way I can see people doing that to each other is if the dehumanization is constant throughout the year. Everyone around you is your potential murder victim and your potential murderer. How could you ever learn to trust someone fully and have them as your equal in that enviroment? The results of it can't just come out one day a year. There must be consequences of it in every day life, and we just don't see them within the story.
That is definitely no normal town the rest of the year.
- Becker, Slytherin