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Dystopian Literature AN INTRODUCTION…

What is a Utopia?  Utopia: A place, state, or condition that is ideally perfect in respect of politics, laws, customs, and conditions  In most dystopian movies and novels, the society starts out as an utopia.  Over time, the controlling force(s) take away certain freedoms from its citizens turning it into a dystopia.

What is a Dystopia?  Dystopia: an imaginary futuristic world in which society lives under:  the oppression of a totalitarian government  a repressive society  a force of technology  a corrupt business corporation

What is a Dystopia?  Society itself is typically the antagonist  Society is actively working against the protagonist’s aims and desires  Main conflict is normally Man vs. Society  The best dystopian stories speak to a deeper meaning…  What it means to be one small part of a larger civilization  What it means to be an individual or human

History of Dystopian Literature  Dystopias often focus on a current social, technological, or governmental trend  Shows us what would happen if this trend went too far  Basically, it’s an exaggerated “worst-case scenario”  This allows the author to make a criticism of a trend in the real world

History of Dystopian Literature  Throughout the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, dystopian literature became a way for American authors to criticize communism and socialism  Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (1931)  Anthem by Ayn Rand (1937)  Animal Farm by George Orwell (1945)  1984 by George Orwell (1949)  Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (1953)  Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand (1957)

History of Dystopian Literature  Up until the 1990s, dystopian literature was only written for adults  The Giver by Lois Lowry (1993), was the first dystopian written for young adults  A story about a ‘perfect’ society where all important choices are made for you so you don’t make the wrong choice  Since the beginning of the 2000s, dystopian literature has become one of the most popular and successful genres for young adults

Dystopian Genre Characteristics  Control  Information, ideas, choices, and freedoms are restricted or removed by the controlling power / government  Surveillance  Citizens are constantly monitored and watched by those in control  Dehumanization  Citizens are forced to live in a ‘dehumanized’ or animalistic state

Dystopian Genre Characteristics  Conformity  Uniformity is expected  All citizens are alike and the same  Individuality is bad  Limited World View  Citizens have a lack of knowledge and fear of the ‘outside’ world  Propaganda  Messages designed to influence and control the attitude of citizens toward some cause, belief, or position by presenting only one side of the argument

Dystopian Genre Characteristics  Powerful Leader  A figurehead or idea is worshipped by the citizens  Controlled Environment  Elements of the natural world is banished, removed, and/or distrusted  Perfect World  Citizens believe they are living in a perfect world – a utopian society  They don’t want to see a need for change

Traits of a Dystopian Protagonist  Often feels trapped and is struggling to escape  Questions the existing social and political systems  Believes or feels that something is terribly wrong with society in which he/she lives  Helps the reader/audience recognize the negative aspects of the dystopian society through his/her perspective

Common Themes in Dystopian Literature  The Danger of a Particular Type of Government  The Importance of Knowledge and Truth  The Dangers of a Particular Policy  The Danger of Allowing One Group Too Much Power  The Importance of Free Will and Individuality  The Danger of Technology  The Danger of Desensitization  The Importance of Humanity  The Danger of Human Nature