Dystopian Literature (sometimes referred to as apocalyptic literature) examines social and political structures. Dystopian lit centers on the creation of an utterly horrible or degraded society that is generally headed to an irreversible oblivion, or dystopia. Many novels combine both utopian and dystopian ideas, often as a metaphor for the different directions humanity can take in its choices, ending up with one of two possible futures. Both utopias and dystopias are commonly found in science fiction and other speculative fiction genres, and arguably are by definition a type of speculative fiction.

Dystopian Titles Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury The Hunger Games/Catching Fire/Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins Divergent/Insurgent by Veronica Roth The Giver by Lois Lowry Brave New World by Aldous Huxley Uglies/Specials/Pretties by Scott Westerfeld The Road by Cormac McCarthy V for Vendetta by Alan Moore Ender’s Game by Orson Scott

Oligarchy is a form of power structure in which power effectively rests with a small number of people. Throughout history, oligarchies have been tyrannical (relying on public obedience and/or oppression to exist). Cuba Venezuela North Korea Tunisia

1.In what ways do you feel the United States could be considered an oligarchy? 2.In what way does the government keep track of Americans’ use of the Internet, phones, and other personal information? 3.Give reasons why this information should and should not be gathered. 4.What do you think Americans’ lives will be like in 50 years? What specific changes do you imagine? What will remain the same? Discuss personal lives, jobs, transportation, education, defense, industry, and any other topics that should be examined. In pairs or threes…one person writes

George Orwell

Eric Blair (pseudonym George Orwell) Born in Bengal, India (then part of British Empire) Only son of minor official in the Indian Customs Service 1904 / Mother returned with children to England Orwell attended fashionable preparatory school (felt left out) 1917 / Received scholarship to study at prestigious Eton College Family too poor for him to continue education at Oxford or Cambridge Next step: Began a career in the Indian Imperial Police

Indian Imperial Police Posted to Burma (then administrative part of India) Advanced quickly but was dissatisfied Later would refer to work in Burma as boring 1927 (on sick leave in England) Orwell resigned from Imperial Police Experience intensified hatred of Imperialism a policy or practice by which a country increases its power by gaining control over other areas of the world the effect that a powerful country or group of countries has in changing or influencing the way people live in other, poorer countries

Orwell in London and Paris Rented a room in London Began to write To research, mixed with tramps and beggars Moved to Paris – Sold a few articles – Worked briefly as a dishwasher

More about Orwell Considered himself a Socialist First Book: Down and Out in London – Made a strong statement against unfairness of class systems Pseudonym: George (St. George); Orwell (river near parents’ house in Southwold) Orwell.... – Journalist – Pamphleteer – Essayist – Novelist

Orwell: Political Writer ( ) Literary editor of the Labour Weekly Tribune During World War II, wrote and broadcast for the British Broadcasting Company

Orwell Later works reflected disillusionment with Russian communism – Essays: Inside the Whale (1944) Critical Essays (1946) Shooting an Elephant (1950) – Political Satires (Most Popular Works) Animal Farm (1945) » Attacks Revolutionary and Post-Revolutionary Russia 1984 (1949) » Warns of the dangers of life in a totalitarian state