Dystopia

Elements of Science Fiction Usually based on current or future technology Set in the future or alternating time lines Features include: time travel, faster than light travel, journeys in space, aliens, robots, or some new technology Differs from fantasy in that the technology is considered to be a possible discovery.

Dystopia is the opposite of utopia. What is a utopia? What is a dystopia?

Dystopian Literature With the rise of science fiction came dystopian literature. Dystopian literature criticizes current trends in political, social, and economical facets of a government.

Dystopias versus Utopias Utopia is a perfect society Dystopian societies maintain the illusion or pretense of perfection in order to maintain power and control over the people in the community. In dystopian societies, most people believe that the strict rules and limited freedom are necessary to maintain the perfect society.

Dystopian Society Power and rules in the dystopian society are controlled by a totalitarian dictator or group of leaders such as elders. Imposes severe restrictions on people’s lives and limits freedoms as much as possible. Dystopian societies often require people to give up any form of individuality even in physical appearance. Individuality often leads to banishment or death.

Dystopian Society Dystopias are set in urban environments or gated communities cut off from nature. Nature often symbolizes freedom or something uncontrollable in literature thus discouraged in dystopian societies. Dystopian societies often try to control or eradicate the “Family” by reproducing children artificially or with surrogates. The concepts of a mother and father often differ greatly from our definition or don’t exist altogether.

Dystopian Society The group in power tries to control as many aspects of life as they possibly can, sometimes even thoughts and emotions. Dystopian societies in literature often are a result of war, revolution, or other disaster that ends society as we know it today. Governments in dystopian societies use propaganda to maintain the illusion of perfection and control.

Dystopian Society Government also uses fear as a means of controlling the community, such as a fear of the outside world or an enemy with whom the society is currently at war. Though the society maintains the pretense of perfection, the society usually contains one or more flaws that indicate the negative dystopia instead of the ideal utopia.

Dystopian Hero The main character (protagonist) is the dystopian hero in a dystopian story. In the exposition, the character is part of the society and follows the social norms and rules. We usually learn about the dystopian flaws when the dystopian hero begins to recognize them in his/her society.

Dystopian Hero During the rising action, the hero begins to question the society and feels that the society he/she lives in is totally wrong The climax and falling action of a dystopian story occurs when the dystopian hero feels like he/she must escape or overthrow the government in order to survive The resolution is the results of the character’s actions, usually unsuccessful.