Definitions, Examples & Characteristics Utopias & Dystopias Definitions, Examples & Characteristics

Utopia A place, state or condition that is ideally perfect in respect of politics, laws, customs and conditions.

Utopia What would your version of a utopia look like?

Dystopia A futuristic, imagined universe in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through corporate, bureaucratic, technological, moral or totalitarian control.

Characteristics of a dystopian society Propaganda is used to control the citizens of the society.

Characteristic #2 Information, independent thought & freedom are restricted

Characteristic #3 A figurehead or concept is worshipped by the citizens of the society.

Characteristic #4 Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbfGzFMxmHo

Characteristic #5 Citizens have a fear of the outside world

Characteristic #6 Citizens live in a dehumanized state. Dehumanize= deprive of positive human qualities http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMGRhAEn6K0

Characteristic #7 The natural world is banished & mistrusted.

Characteristic #8 Citizens conform to uniform expectations. Individuality & dissent is bad. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PC6ZA1dFkVk

Characteristic #9 The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJNNugNe0Wo

Types of Dystopian controls 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:

Corporate Control One or more large corporations control society through products, advertising, and/or the media http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xToQ4cIHkk

Technological Control Society is controlled by technology: through computers, robots and/or scientific means http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0f3JeDVeEo

Bureaucratic Control Society is controlled by a mindless bureaucracy through a tangle of red tape, relentless regulations & incompetent government officials.

Philosophical/Religious Control Society is controlled by one religion or philosophy which is enforced by a dictatorship or theocratic government. Nazi Germany. North Korea. USSR.

The Dystopian Protagonist Often feels trapped and is struggling to escape Questions the existing social & political systems Believes that something is terribly wrong in the society in which he or she lives Helps the audience recognize the negative aspects of the dystopian world through their perspective

3*2*1 Bridge 3 Thoughts 2 Questions 1 Analogy