Introduction to Dystopia

Utopia Defined as: “an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect.” First used in the book Utopia by Sir Thomas More. Based on the premise that absolute equality and a world of perfection is possible.

Is utopia possible? Discussion questions: Is absolute equality possible? Why or why not? Is a world of perfection possible or believable?

The rise of dystopia Many authors came to the conclusion and belief that utopia, or a perfect society, is NOT possible. Absolute equality cannot exist. Every time a society tries to attain absolute equality, chaos ensues.

Why does this matter? In addition to challenging the concept of Utopia, authors create dystopian societies to highlight weaknesses of current social and political trends. From George Orwell’s 1984 and Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 to The Hunger Games Trilogy and the Divergent Series, authors continue to challenge popular social and political trends. http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-science-fiction-can-help-predict-the-future-roey-tzezana

“As dystopias…they look quizzically, skeptically, critically not only at the present society but also at the means needed to transform it” (Scraps of the Untatined Sky: Science Fiction, Utopia, and Dystopia by Tom Moylan)

Some popular dystopian works

Anti-hero http://ed.ted.com/lessons/an-anti-hero-of-one-s-own-tim-adams