Analyzing the Purpose of the Scapegoat
The concept of the scapegoat has played a powerful and enduring role in human societies, appearing in religious rituals, literature, psychology, and political life. At its core, a scapegoat is an individual or group that is unfairly blamed for problems, failures, or moral wrongdoing in order to relieve tension or guilt within a larger community. Analyzing the purpose of the scapegoat reveals how societies manage fear, maintain unity, and avoid confronting deeper structural or moral issues.
Religious Origins of the Scapegoat
The term scapegoat originates from the Hebrew Bible, specifically the Book of Leviticus. During the ancient Jewish ritual of Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), two goats were selected. One was sacrificed to God, while the other—the scapegoat—symbolically carried the sins of the people and was sent into the wilderness.
The purpose of this ritual scapegoat was symbolic purification. By transferring collective guilt onto a single animal, the community believed it could restore moral balance and renew its relationship with God. This shows one key function of the scapegoat:
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To externalize guilt, allowing people to feel cleansed without individually confronting their own wrongdoing.
Social and Psychological Purpose
Beyond religion, scapegoating serves important psychological and social functions. When groups face stress—such as economic hardship, disease, or political instability—they often look for a simple explanation or target for their suffering. Blaming a scapegoat reduces anxiety by creating the illusion of control.
From a psychological perspective, the scapegoat:
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Provides an outlet for fear, anger, and frustration
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Protects individuals from self-blame
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Preserves positive self-image and group identity
Instead of acknowledging complex or uncomfortable truths, people project blame onto others. This process can be emotionally satisfying, even when it is unjust.
The Scapegoat as a Tool for Social Unity
Ironically, scapegoating can strengthen group unity—at least temporarily. By identifying a common enemy, members of a group feel bonded together. The French theorist René Girard argued that societies use scapegoats to prevent internal violence. By directing aggression outward toward a single target, the group avoids turning on itself.
In this sense, the scapegoat’s purpose is:
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To maintain social order
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To redirect conflict away from those in power
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To reinforce norms by labeling the scapegoat as “deviant” or “other”
However, this unity is fragile and built on injustice, often leading to repeated cycles of blame.
Scapegoats in Literature
In literature, scapegoat characters are frequently used to criticize society. These characters are punished not because they are truly guilty, but because society needs someone to blame. Examples include:
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Characters who are outsiders due to race, class, or beliefs
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Individuals blamed for moral decay or collective failure
The purpose of the literary scapegoat is to:
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Expose hypocrisy and moral cowardice
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Highlight how societies avoid accountability
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Encourage readers to question authority and groupthink
Through scapegoats, authors reveal the dangers of blind conformity and unjust judgment.
Political and Historical Uses of Scapegoating
Historically, scapegoating has been used as a political strategy. Leaders may blame minorities, immigrants, or dissenters for national problems to distract from poor leadership or systemic issues. This use of scapegoats serves to:
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Shift responsibility away from those in power
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Manipulate public opinion
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Justify discrimination or exclusion
While effective in the short term, political scapegoating often leads to long-term harm, deepening divisions and causing widespread injustice.
Conclusion
The purpose of the scapegoat is complex and deeply rooted in human behavior. Whether in religious ritual, social psychology, literature, or politics, scapegoats function as vessels for guilt, fear, and blame. They help communities cope with uncertainty and conflict, but at a significant moral cost.
Ultimately, analyzing the scapegoat reveals a central truth: societies often choose blame over responsibility. Understanding this mechanism is essential for recognizing injustice and promoting more honest, compassionate ways of addressing conflict and failure.