“‘Predicting the end of the world is a win-win situation for Uncle Rulon,’ apostate DeLoy Bateman observes. ‘You can always just blame it on the iniquities of the people of it doesn’t happen, and then use that as a club to hold over their heads and control them in the future”(29).
This quote is a device Krakauer uses to impress upon the audience the absolute power which Uncle Rulon has and uses. The audience can see this power and think of how he uses it to get what he wants and drive the people in his town/church to the way he thinks they should be. He can’t be touched, it’s like a dictator but with no enemies that can dethrone him.
This reminds me dictatorships or abusive families. The kids can only accept what is done to them, having no power to change it. The adults can only benefit, getting out anger and disciplining the kids. They can also use this as a fear factor for the future to continue to get good results.
This reminds me dictatorships or abusive families. The kids can only accept what is done to them, having no power to change it. The adults can only benefit, getting out anger and disciplining the kids. They can also use this as a fear factor for the future to continue to get good results.