Dystopian Novels

Definition Check: Utopian Utopian refers to human efforts to create a hypothetically perfect society. It refers to good but impossible proposals - or at least ones that are difficult to carry out. 7th Grade English TEKS 7.12. Characteristics of Genres A) Identify the purposes of different types of texts B) Recognize the distinguishing features of genres 7.11. Literary Response B) Interpret text ideas through varied means D) Connect, compare, and contrast ideas, themes, and issues in texts 7th Grade Social Studies TEKS 7.21. Critical Thinking Skills B) Analyze information using various methods D) Identify points of view from the historical context and frame of reference Image obtained from Thomas Morus’s book Utopia by Johann Froben in 1518

Dystopian versus Utopian Dystopian is the opposite of utopian; it is often a utopia gone sour, an imaginary place or state where everything is as bad as it could possibly be. 7th Grade English TEKS 7.12. Characteristics of Genres B) Recognize the distinguishing features of genres 7.11. Literary Response D) Connect, compare, and contrast ideas, themes, and issues in texts 7th Grade Social Studies TEKS 7.17. Points of View in a Democratic Society Identify different points of view of political parties and interest groups 7.20. Science/Technology/Society. F) Make predictions about consequences resulting from future discoveries 7.21. Critical Thinking Skills B) Analyze information using various methods D) Identify points of view from the historical context and frame of reference

Essential Features: Dystopian societies are undesirable or even horrifying. Dystopian societies are usually futuristic and fictional. Dystopian depictions can be regarded as warnings. Dystopian fiction is both about today and tomorrow. Dystopian fiction comments on our own society.

Dystopias The motif of dystopias has always been oppression and rebellion. The oppressors are almost always much more powerful than the rebels. Oftentimes the rebels most battle to: Stay alive Remain human Remain an individual with one’s own thoughts

Living in a dystopia As the citizens of dystopian societies often live in fear, they become paranoid and egotistical, almost like hunted animals. Dystopian citizens experience a profound feeling of being monitored, shadowed, chased, betrayed or manipulated.

Dystopias and Technology The dehumanization of society may also be connected to the benefits and hazards of technological progress. In Dystopia, the borderline of humanity is often blurred and the very concept of humanity distorted.

Dystopian Novels Dystopian novels usually include elements of contemporary society and are seen as a warning against some modern trend. Writers use them as cautionary tales, in which humankind is put into a society that may look inviting on the surface but in reality, is a nightmare. 7th Grade English TEKS 7.12. Characteristics of Genres A) Identify the purposes of different types of texts B) Recognize the distinguishing features of genres 7th Grade Social Studies TEKS 7.20. Science/Technology/Society F) Make predictions about consequences resulting from future discoveries 7.21. Critical Thinking Skills B) Analyze information using various methods D) Identify points of view from the historical context and frame of reference

Examples of Dystopian Novels 1984 Brave New World Fahrenheit 451 Divergent Animal Farm The Maze Runner 7th Grade English TEKS 7.11. Literary Response A) Offer observations, connections, and questions in response to the text B) Interpret text ideas through varied means 7th Grade Social Studies TEKS 7.21. Critical Thinking Skills D) Identify points of view from the historical context and frame of reference

Fahrenheit 451 Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (1953) The story takes place in the twenty-first century, in an America where books are banned. Society feels that “opinion” books contain conflicting theories which are disruptive to society. The penalty for owning one is having one's house and books burnt by "firemen." 451° F is stated as “the temperature at which book paper catches fire and burns…” 7th Grade English TEKS 7.11. Literary Response A) Offer observations, connections, and questions in response to the text B) Interpret text ideas through varied means D) Connect, compare, and contrast ideas, themes, and issues in texts 7th Grade Social Studies TEKS 7.17. Points of View in a Democratic Society Identify different points of view of political parties and interest groups 7.20. Science/Technology/Society F) Make predictions about consequences resulting from future discoveries 7.21. Critical Thinking Skills B) Analyze information using various methods D) Identify points of view from the historical context and frame of reference

Relation to the Real World In the novel, Bradbury combined several issues of his contemporary society: The burnings of books in Nazi Germany. Stalin's suppression of authors and books in the Soviet Union. The explosion of a nuclear weapon. "I meant all kinds of tyrannies anywhere in the world at any time, right, left, or middle," Bradbury has said. 7th Grade English TEKS 7.11. Literary Response A) Offer observations, connections, and questions in response to the text B) Interpret text ideas through varied means D) Connect, compare, and contrast ideas, themes, and issues in texts 7th Grade Social Studies TEKS 7.17. Points of View in a Democratic Society Identify different points of view of political parties and interest groups 7.20. Science/Technology/Society A) Compare types and uses of technology in the past and present. F) Make predictions about consequences resulting from future discoveries 7.21. Critical Thinking Skills B) Analyze information using various methods D) Identify points of view from the historical context and frame of reference Image taken on May 6,1933, as Nazis ransacked libraries in Berlin; four days later as part of large public burnings of books viewed as "un-German," thousands of books were thrown into a huge bonfire.

Relation to the Real World The author also addresses the concern that the presence of fast cars, loud music, and advertisements creates a lifestyle with too much stimulation where no one has the time to concentrate. He also addresses concerns about censorship at the expense of personal expression. 7th Grade English TEKS 7.12. Characteristics of Genres B) Recognize the distinguishing features of genres 7.11. Literary Response A) Offer observations, connections, and questions in response to the text B) Interpret text ideas through varied means D) Connect, compare, and contrast ideas, themes, and issues in texts 7th Grade Social Studies TEKS 7.17. Points of View in a Democratic Society Identify different points of view of political parties and interest groups 7.20. Science/Technology/Society A) Compare types and uses of technology in the past and present. F) Make predictions about consequences resulting from future discoveries 7.21. Critical Thinking Skills D) Identify points of view from the historical context and frame of reference

Summary The dystopian literature of the period reflected the many concerns that resonated throughout the twentieth century. The concept of a dystopia was introduced to help reveal the potential consequences of a utopia turning against itself. 7th Grade English TEKS 7.12. Characteristics of Genres A) Identify the purposes of different types of texts B) Recognize the distinguishing features of genres 7.11. Literary Response A) Offer observations, connections, and questions in response to the text D) Connect, compare, and contrast ideas, themes, and issues in texts 7th Grade Social Studies TEKS 7.20. Science/Technology/Society F) Make predictions about consequences resulting from future discoveries 7.21. Critical Thinking Skills D) Identify points of view from the historical context and frame of reference Image obtained from the Library of Congress of the ruins of Dresden, Germany in 1947 following the American air raids.

Do they work? What do you think about forming a utopia? Is it possible to create a perfect world in which to live? 7th Grade English TEKS 7.11. Literary Response A) Offer observations, connections, and questions in response to the text 7th Grade Social Studies TEKS 7.20. Science/Technology/Society A) Compare types and uses of technology in the past and present. F) Make predictions about consequences resulting from future discoveries 7.21. Critical Thinking Skills D) Identify points of view from the historical context and frame of reference