The Dystopian Society

Where is this world headed? Is this world a utopia or a dystopia?

Unit Purpose I need to you to learn: Different “lenses” can alter stories. Stories ARE affected by life. Literature is shaped by the society it comes from. Literature has the ability of to predict, warn, galvanize (excite) people to act.

Unit Purpose I need to you to learn: The true impact literature can have and why it can be seen as dangerous or subversive. This is not passive writing for entertainment – these authors had an objective, and they attempt to aggressively prove that objective. These authors are directly critiquing you and the society you’ve helped create. The only way you’ll understand/appreciate this literature is if you understand their objective.

What if we could have.. A beautiful society with a general pacifistic attitude No poverty or misery Very few necessary laws Money is not a necessity People who only do work that they enjoy and which benefits the common good

Utopia Definition: A place, state, or condition that is ideally perfect in respects of politics, laws, customs and traditions. Many Dystopias start out as someone else’s ideal society. Many can argue that the United States of America is founded on Utopian principles.

Utopia—a perfect civilization The word utopia comes from two Greek words: “oi” (not) and “topos” (place) = “nowhere.” The word utopia was coined in 1516 by Sir Thomas More who wrote a book with the title Utopia.

Utopia—a perfect civilization Utopian things to think about: Is the utopian society really just an impossible objective strived for by all and achieved by none? How can perfection be defined? Can true Equality and Peace ever be obtained? Would that be in our best interest?

Utopia Related Ideas: Religion and Science The Judeo-Christian concept of the Garden of Eden and Heaven The Buddhist concept of Nirvana Advanced science and technology will abolish suffering and death

RELIGIOUS UTOPIAS Freedom of religion attracted European groups to America who were persecuted in their own countries. Some colonists hoped to form Utopian societies, self- containing religious communities, removed from the perceived “vices” found in overcrowded cities. In these utopian societies, all aspects of people's lives were governed by their faith.

RELIGIOUS UTOPIAS Example: the Shakers – a religious group who fled to the United States in 1774 to escape persecution. They formed a tight knit community, which required celibacy (no sexual relations) and the separation of men and women in daily life. Their religious expression included productive labor, peace, the equality of the sexes, and a ritual noted for its dancing and shaking.

COMMUNISTIC UTOPIAS The Soviet Union represented the creation of a political utopia on a larger scale than had ever been attempted before. Communism was seen as the creation of a working society in which all give according to their means and take according to their needs. This aspect promised the future freedom of all people in a world free of oppression and inequality.

COMMUNISTIC UTOPIAS By the end of the 1920s, the disadvantages of Communism in the Soviet Union were evident. Joseph Stalin forced peasants to work on the land, forced intellectuals into prison camps, burned books, and contributed to the death of millions. He used mass media to create a godlike image of himself, and any opponents were executed or deported.

AGRICULTURAL UTOPIAS In the 1960s, thousands of people formed communes in Europe and the U.S. in an attempt to redefine the institutions of marriage, family and economy. People headed "back to the land“, questioning the benefits of a society based on technology and competition.

AGRICULTURAL UTOPIAS While most of those communities disbanded, many have survived, emphasizing economic and social cooperation. Some communities are separate from the rest of society while others hope to serve as an example of a better lifestyle to the rest of the world.

Dystopia Definition: A futuristic imagined universe in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through corporate, bureaucratic, technological, philosophical / religious, or totalitarian control. Dystopias, though exaggerated, make criticisms about current trends, social norms, and politics.

Characteristics of the Dystopian Society The society is promoted to the citizens as being a perfect utopian world. Propaganda is used to control citizens Information, freedom, and independent thought are restricted.

Characteristics of the Dystopian Society A figurehead and/or concept is worshipped by society. Conformity is expected. Individuality and dissent is bad. The natural world is banished and distrusted.

The concepts of a figurehead and conformity are portrayed neatly in this parody of war time propaganda art

Characteristics of the Dystopian Society Citizens have a fear of the outside world. Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance. Citizens live in a dehumanized state.

Forms of Dystopian Controls Corporate Control: One or more large corporations control society through products, advertising and/or the media. Bureaucratic Control: Society is controlled by a mindless bureaucracy through a tangle of red tape, relentless regulations, and incompetent government officials.

Forms of Dystopian Controls Technological Control: Society is controlled by technology through computers, robots and/or scientific means. Philosophical/Religious Control: Society is controlled by philosophy or religious ideals often times through a dictatorship or theocratic government.

The Dystopian Protagonist Characteristics: Feels trapped and is trying to escape society’s oppressive forces Questions social and political rules

The Dystopian Protagonist Believes and feels that something is terribly wrong with their society Helps the audience to see what is wrong with society through their experiences

The Dystopian Protagonist: The Anti-Hero The protagonist of dystopian art often plays the role of Anti-hero, explained in this video A character, often the protagonist, who unwittingly challenges those in power See next slide for summary

Traits of The Anti-Hero Starts off as a typical, brainwashed member of society Struggles to conform and questions his society May find other outsiders with whom to share his concerns Unwisely shares objections with an authority figure If successful in fighting oppressive forces it’s often due to a lot of impossible luck Often ends up being captured, killed, or brainwashed If they survive, they return back to their position of conformity

Identify Traits of Dystopia View the 1984 Apple commercial seen here. Identify the traits of dystopia that appear Identify the traits of the dystopian protagonist that are evident