Introduction to your research novels. Dystopian Literature Introduction to your research novels. Look over the research packet this weekend. What is the main difference between this and the Outliers paper?

Dystopia The term has been around since the 19th century coined by English philosopher and economist John Stuart Mill in 1868; but as a genre of fiction, it really took off in the 20th century and became very prevalent in the years after World War II

Dystopian Society refers to fictional societies that are incredibly imperfect, lacking the harmonious and egalitarian qualities of life depicted in utopias contains many of the same elements as utopias—such as intense measures of social control—but these elements are taken to horrific extremes, with emphasis upon their negative effects makes a criticism about a current trend, societal norm, or political system

Characteristics of Society 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. The natural world is banished and distrusted. The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world.

Characteristics of Citizens Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance. Citizens have a fear of the outside world. Citizens live in a dehumanized state. Citizens conform to uniform expectations. Individuality and dissent are bad.  

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 controls.

Types of Dystopian Controls Corporate control: One or more large corporations control society through products, advertising, and/or the media. Examples include Minority Report and Running Man.  Bureaucratic control: Society is controlled by a mindless bureaucracy through a tangle of red tape, relentless regulations, and incompetent government officials. Examples in film include Brazil.  Technological control: Society is controlled by technology—through computers, robots, and/or scientific means. Examples include The Matrix, The Terminator, and I, Robot. Philosophical/religious control: Society is controlled by philosophical or religious ideology often enforced through a dictatorship or theocratic government.

Dystopian Literature a subset of the larger category of anti-Utopian literature, which generally satirizes Utopian thinking stands out from other anti-utopian writing in that it doesn’t just say what’s wrong with utopian models of society, but offers an alternate view of social potentialities concerned with problems of the political and cultural context that produces them There is often a prescriptive element—Dystopian fictions almost always offer some kind of warning (often implicit) of what will happen should present trends continue

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 he or she lives. helps the audience recognizes the negative aspects of the dystopian world through his or her perspective.

Dystopian Themes mastery of nature— to the point that it becomes barren, or turns against humankind technological advances that enslave humans or regiment their lives the mandatory division of people into castes or groups with specialized functions a collective loss of memory and history making mankind easier to manipulate psychologically and ultimately leading to dehumanization. 

Timed Writing Wednesday, January 18th Read and analyze a dystopian short story Review elements of dystopia and other literary elements Journals will be ready for review Monday morning beforehand.

Read together “The Future Sucks” “Why Do We Like Dystopian Novels?” Dystopias: Definition and Characteristics

practice with research Read “Le Guin’s Opus”

Discussion Groups Alec, Abby, Reese, Maia, Anqi Maddy, Bailey, Sydney, Miranda, Alex Kaylee, Christina, Nick, Dalton Alexis, Frank, Hadia, Tianqi, Matthew

Discussion Groups Griffin, Emily M., Julia, Remi, Lauren, Cotton Riley, Rebecca, Emily H., Alex, Cassidy, Lindsey Zach, Gavin, Nathan, Skylar, Tori, Amanda Etoro, Daniel, Tyler, Alyson, Gracie, Ashlyn

Research Novel Discussion Look at the themes for your novel. Compare them to the themes of other groups. Can you come up with 2 themes that engulf all of your texts that are more specific than the general dystopian themes? Discuss following topics as they apply to your text: vulgarity, powerlessness, identity, language, reality vs. illusion, relationship to the past. Is there a common purpose for each concept?

“Imagine, If You Can”: “The Machine Stops” Discussion Discuss the text: burning questions and comments. Remember it was published in 1909. Take the March-Russell article paragraph by paragraph, picking out important quotes and connecting them to the text. Number them accordingly. (Same activity as we did with “Omelas.”) *You want to pick quotes that you couldn’t come up with on your own. No plot points or obvious interpretations. Look at the dystopian notes. What elements apply, and how do they function to produce a theme? Are these themes still applicable today? How close to this dystopia has society ventured?

Reading Check Get out a sheet of paper and a pen. Clear your desks. Answer as thoroughly as possible within about 3 sentences. 25 minutes max

Brave New World Groups Discuss burning questions and topics. Discuss the Henry Ford interview. What is interesting about it/him? What are Ford’s priorities? How do you know? How does it relate to BNW? Discuss 3 possible themes. Find a quote for each. Discuss each character (especially John, Bernard, Lenina, Linda). What purpose might he or she serve? Discuss the society. Is the use of drugs moral/immoral/effective/ineffective? Is the freedom to pursue pleasure effective as a control? What is the purpose of the reservation? Are the citizens happy?