What is Dystopia? Literally: Dys = Bad, Topia = Place….Bad Place A Vision, of an often futuristic society, which has developed into a negative version of Utopia Often characterized by an authoritarian or totalitarian form of government Often features a repressive social control system, a lack or total absence of individual freedom

What is Dystopia? cont. A Dystopian society’s dreams of improvement are overshadowed by stimulating fears of the ugly consequences of present day behavior Think Competition in “Harrison Bergeron” People are often alienated and mostly the individualism is restricted by the government

Features of Dystopian Society Some dystopian works emphasize the pressure to conform in terms of the requirement to not excel Some works utilize a replacement of names with numbers Society is often ruthlessly egalitarian EGALITARIAN=political code in which all people are equal (Harrison Bergeron) or in which there is a removal of economic inequalities between people (Socialism/Communism)

Features of Dystopian Social Groups Family is often eradicated, after a child is born it is cared for in a government center and raised by the government Marriage, even the concept of love, may have been eradicated In many works of dystopian fiction, friendship is even prevented Often the society is organized in a caste-like system, characterized by the masses (workers, commoners, etc.) and the small elite

Features of Dystopian Setting Fictional dystopias are commonly urban and frequently isolate their characters from all contact with the natural world In some works, the government even requires characters to avoid nature Why do you think that is so? The government often socializes citizens to be afraid of nature

Features of Dystopian Politics While the political principles on which fictional utopias (or “perfect worlds”) are based are idealistic in principle, intending positive results for their citizens, the political principles on which fictional dystopias are based are flawed and result in negative consequences for citizens, which is portrayed as oppressive.

Features of Dystopian Economies Vary greatly throughout works of Dystopian Fiction Commonly the State is in control of the economy In some, the State even assigns ones occupation Commonly, all work is menial and unsatisfying, With exception to a small few who are admitted to an elite and its work

Characteristics of Dystopian Fiction Because a fictional universe has to be constructed, a selectively-told back store or way, revolution, uprising, critical overpopulation, or change in government/societal standards is often introduced early in the narrative. This results in a shift in emphasis of control, from previous systems or government to a government run by a often mysterious Council or socialist dictatorship…or from previous social norms to a changed society and now (and often disturbing) social norms. Because dystopian literature typically takes place in the future, it often features more advanced technology; however, occasionally an author creates a reversion (going backwards) with respect to technology

The Dystopian Hero Is Harrison Bergeron a hero?? Unlike Utopian fiction, which often features an outsider to have the world shown to him, dystopias seldom feature an outsider as the protagonist. While an outsider would more clearly understand the nature of the society, based on comparison to his/her society, the knowledge of the outside culture subverts (undermines) the power of the dystopia Story usually centers on a protagonist who questions society, often feeling intuitively that something is terribly wrong (an unpopular opinion) The hero comes to believe that escape or even overturning the social order is possible and decides to act at the risk of life

The Dystopian Resolution The ending of dystopian fiction is often ambiguous and unresolved, i.e. the narrative may deal with individuals in the dystopian society who are unsatisfied, may rebel, but ultimately fails to change anything It is often characterized by escape, and plans for future action

Dystopian Works Children of Men District 9 The Matrix Wall-E 1984 Brave New World Animal Farm Fahrenheit 451 Atlas Shrugged The Handmaid’s Tale Blindness Anthem And many many more