Dystopian Literature An Introduction

What is dystopia? Merriam Webster defines dystopia as “an imaginary place where people lead dehumanized and often fearful lives.” What does that really mean? It means that, although there is no real place as “dystopia,” the ideas and theories do exist in today’s world. Copyright – K. Yee

Back in the day… When I was a child, my neighborhood was filled with children playing outside, riding their bikes without helmets, popping in to various houses for a drink or to cool off. Often, we looked forward to summer because the sun would be out later which meant we could play longer; we had no curfew, we simply waited for the street lights to come on or the sound of our mother’s voice beckoning from the front porch. Copyright K. Yee

Humanity has changed us… We live in world where Amber Alerts have parents fearing for the safety of their children and school shootings are becoming more common. We have senseless bombings that take the lives of the innocent and we’re under the constant threat of a nuclear war. Copyright K. Yee

Think… Imagine a world where you were no longer called by your given name; where everyone was given a combination of letters and numbers in an effort to create “equality” and limiting individuality; where the government attempted to control your thoughts in an effort to keep you numb from the world outside the walls. It happened during the Holocaust and continues to exist in other countries. That, is dystopia. Copyright K. Yee

In general… Dytopias, through an exaggerated worst-case scenario, make a criticism about a current trend, societal norm, or political system. Copyright 2006 Read – Write – Think

Characteristics… Propaganda is used to control the citizens of society. Information, independent thought, and freedom are restricted. A figurehead or concept is worshipped by the citizens of the society. Copyright 2006 Read – Write – Think

Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance. Characteristics… Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance. Citizens have a fear of the outside world. Citizens live in a dehumanized state. Copyright 2006 Read – Write – Think

The natural world is banished and distrusted. Characteristics… The natural world is banished and distrusted. Citizens conform to uniform expectations. Individuality and dissent are bad. The society is an illusion of a perfect (utopian) world. Copyright 2006 Read – Write – Think

Types of Dystopian control… Most dystopian works present a world in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through one or more of the following types of control: Copyright 2006 Read – Write – Think

Types of Dystopian control… Corporate Control: one or more large corporations control society through products, advertising, and/or the media. Examples: Minority Report Running Man Copyright 2006 Read – Write – Think

Types of Dystopian control… Bureaucratic Control: society is controlled by a mindless bureaucracy through a tangle of red tape, relentless regulations, and incompetent officials. Examples: “Harrison Bergeron” “The Censors” Copyright 2006 Read – Write – Think

Types of Dystopian control… Technological Control: society is controlled by technology – through computers, robots, and/or scientific means. Examples: The Matrix The Terminator I, Robot Copyright 2006 Read – Write – Think

Types of Dystopian control… Philosophical/Religious Control: society is controlled by philosophical or religious ideology often enforced through a dictatorship or theocratic government. Example: The Hunger Games “Harrison Bergeron” Copyright 2006 Read – Write – Think

The 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 the society in which they live. Helps the audience recognize the negative aspects of the dystopian world through their perspective. Copyright 2006 Read – Write – Think