Definitions, Examples & Characteristics LA 10 2012 Utopias & Dystopias Definitions, Examples & Characteristics LA 10 2012

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

Your turn Write one paragraph (3-5 sentences) describing your vision of a “perfect” society.

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.

Your turn! Look at the previous definition of a dystopia and rewrite it into your own, easier to understand, words.

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

Characteristic #2 Information, independent thought & freedom are restricted http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HV3GsX0G68

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 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT3GK8fgZps

Characteristic #6 Citizens live in a dehumanized state. Dehumanize= deprive of positive human qualities

Characteristic #7 The natural world is banished & mistrusted.

Characteristic #8 Citizens conform to uniform expectations. Individuality & dissent is bad. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl9Nvg4yuus

Characteristic #9 The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8e-FF8MsqU

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=oBaiKsYUdvg

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. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl9Nvg4yuus

Philosophical/Religious Control Society is controlled by one religion or philosophy which is enforced by a dictatorship or theocratic government.

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