Dystopia Notes When things go wrong for all the right reasons…

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

What about this picture fits the definition of a “utopia”?

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.

Dystopia Dystopias, through an exaggerated worst-case scenario, make a criticism about a current trend, societal norm, or political system.

What about this picture fits the characteristics of a “dystopia”?

Characteristics of a Dystopian Society Propaganda is used to control the citizens of society. Propaganda is used to control the citizens of society. Information, independent thought, and freedom are restricted. Information, independent thought, and freedom are restricted. A figurehead or concept is worshipped by the citizens of the society. A figurehead or concept is worshipped by the citizens of the society. Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance. Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance.

Characteristics of a Dystopian Society Citizens have a fear of the outside world. Citizens have a fear of the outside world. Citizens live in a dehumanized state. Citizens live in a dehumanized state. The natural world is banished and distrusted. The natural world is banished and distrusted. Citizens conform to uniform expectations. Individuality and dissent are bad. Citizens conform to uniform expectations. Individuality and dissent are bad. The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world. The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world.

Popular Dystopias Brainstorm with your group. Think of at least five more dystopian societies.

e.com/watch?v=h1B QPV-iCkU e.com/watch?v=h1B QPV-iCkU Explain how this clip meets the characteristics of a dystopia.

How does this passage represent characteristics of a dystopia?   “It was terribly dangerous to let your thoughts wander when you were in any public place or within the range of a telescreen. The smallest thing could give you away. A nervous tic, an unconscious look of anxiety, a habit of muttering to yourself— anything that carried with it a suggestion of abnormality, of having something to hide. In any case, to wear an improper expression on your face…; was itself a punishable offense. There was even a word on it in Newspeak: facecrime…”

Types of Dystopian Control

Corporate control: One or more large corporations control society through products advertising, and/or the media. Brainstorm with your group and make a list of any corporate control dystopias you have seen or read.

Social control: Society is controlled by a mindless bureaucracy through a tangle of red tape, relentless regulations, and incompetent government officials. Brainstorm with your group and make a list of any bureaucratic control dystopias you have seen or read.

Technological control: Society is controlled by technology—through computers, robots, and/or scientific means. Brainstorm with your group and make a list of any technological control dystopias you have seen or read.

Philosophical or Religious Control: Society is controlled by philosophical or religious ideology often enforced through a dictatorship or theocratic government. Brainstorm with your group and make a list of any philosophical or religious control dystopias you have seen or read.

Which type of dystopia is illustrated in the passage?   The terrible thing that the Party had done was persuade you that mere impulses, mere feelings, were of no account, while at the same time robbing you of all power over the material world.”

The Dystopian Protagonist Often feels trapped and is struggling to escape. Often feels trapped and is struggling to escape. Questions the existing social and political systems. Questions the existing social and political systems. Believes or feels that something is terribly wrong with society. Believes or feels that something is terribly wrong with society. Helps the audience recognize the negative aspects of the dystopian world. Helps the audience recognize the negative aspects of the dystopian world.

How does this passage illustrate the characteristics of a dystopian protagonist?   Your worst enemy, he reflected, was your nervous system. At any moment the tension inside you was liable to translate itself into some visible symptom.”