1. Dystopias and Dystopian Novels

2. Definition Check: Utopia
The human race has been searching for utopia since time began.
A utopia is a hypothetically perfect society.
7th Grade English TEKS
7.12. Characteristics of Genres
A) Identify the purposes of different types of texts
B) Recognize the distinguishing features of genres
7.11. Literary Response
B) Interpret text ideas through varied means
D) Connect, compare, and contrast ideas, themes, and issues in texts
7th Grade Social Studies TEKS
Critical Thinking Skills
B) Analyze information using various methods
D) Identify points of view from the historical context and frame of reference
Image obtained from Thomas Morus’s book Utopia by Johann Froben in 1518
Definition Check: Utopia

3. Utopias are impossible to obtain
Our individual and collective ideas about perfection are flawed.
In an attempt to form a utopia, people and leaders end up relying on flawed ideas and form dystopias instead.
Utopias are impossible to obtain

4. Dystopian versus Utopian
Dystopian is the opposite of utopian; it is often a utopia gone sour, an imaginary place or state where everything is as bad as it could possibly be.
7th Grade English TEKS
7.12. Characteristics of Genres
B) Recognize the distinguishing features of genres
7.11. Literary Response
D) Connect, compare, and contrast ideas, themes, and issues in texts
7th Grade Social Studies TEKS
Points of View in a Democratic Society
Identify different points of view of political parties and interest groups
Science/Technology/Society.
F) Make predictions about consequences resulting from future discoveries
Critical Thinking Skills
B) Analyze information using various methods
D) Identify points of view from the historical context and frame of reference
Dystopian versus Utopian

5. In a dystopia, people (often) are oppressed heavily, live in squalor, starve, suffer, and, in many cases, die.
There are real-life dystopias and there are fictional dystopias.
Dystopias

6. The Soviet Union represented a dystopia in the 1920s.
Communism was seen as ideal because everybody was promised equality.
7th Grade English TEKS
7.12. Characteristics of Genres
B) Recognize the distinguishing features of genres
7.11. Literary Response
A) Offer observations, connections, and questions in response to the text
B) Interpret text ideas through varied means
D) Connect, compare, and contrast ideas, themes, and issues in texts
7th Grade Social Studies TEKS
Science/Technology/Society
F) Make predictions about consequences resulting from future discoveries
Critical Thinking Skills
B) Analyze information using various methods
D) Identify points of view from the historical context and frame of reference
Communistic Utopias

7. 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.
7th Grade English TEKS
7.11. Literary Response
A) Offer observations, connections, and questions in response to the text
B) Interpret text ideas through varied means
D) Connect, compare, and contrast ideas, themes, and issues in texts
7th Grade Social Studies TEKS
Science/Technology/Society
A) Compare types and uses of technology in the past and present.
F) Make predictions about consequences resulting from future discoveries
Critical Thinking Skills
B) Analyze information using various methods
D) Identify points of view from the historical context and frame of reference
Image obtained from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of History and Heritage Resources
Communistic Utopias

8. Real-Life Dystopian Architects
Hitler in Nazi Germany
Stalin in Soviet Russia
Pol Pot in Communist Cambodia
Saddam Hussein in Iraq
Osama Bin Laden in the Taliban-run Afghanistan
Real-Life Dystopian Architects

9. 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.
7th Grade English TEKS
7.11. Literary Response
A) Offer observations, connections, and questions in response to the text
D) Connect, compare, and contrast ideas, themes, and issues in texts
7th Grade Social Studies TEKS
Science/Technology/Society
F) Make predictions about consequences resulting from future discoveries
Critical Thinking Skills
B) Analyze information using various methods
D) Identify points of view from the historical context and frame of reference
Religious Utopias

10. 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.
7th Grade English TEKS
7.11. Literary Response
A) Offer observations, connections, and questions in response to the text
D) Connect, compare, and contrast ideas, themes, and issues in texts
7th Grade Social Studies TEKS
Critical Thinking Skills
B) Analyze information using various methods
D) Identify points of view from the historical context and frame of reference
Image obtained from the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing website

11. The Purpose of Dystopian Novels
Dystopian novels usually include elements of contemporary society and are seen as a warning against some modern trend.
Writers use them as cautionary tales, in which humankind is put into a society that may look inviting on the surface but in reality, is a nightmare.
7th Grade English TEKS
7.12. Characteristics of Genres
A) Identify the purposes of different types of texts
B) Recognize the distinguishing features of genres
7th Grade Social Studies TEKS
Science/Technology/Society
F) Make predictions about consequences resulting from future discoveries
Critical Thinking Skills
B) Analyze information using various methods
D) Identify points of view from the historical context and frame of reference
The Purpose of Dystopian Novels

12. Dystopian Novels use similar conventions
Some common themes found in dystopian fiction include mastery of nature—to the point that it becomes barren, or turns against humankind; technological advances that enslave humans or regiment their lives; the mandatory division of people into castes or groups with specialized functions; and a collective loss of memory and history making mankind easier to manipulate psychologically and ultimately leading to dehumanization. 
Dystopian Novels use similar conventions

13. Common Traits of Dystopian Fiction
A hierarchical society where class divisions are definitive and unbending. The nation/state is ruled by the upper class.
2. There are few democratic ideals in the society. The people, especially the lower class, lack freedoms and agency.
Common Traits of Dystopian Fiction

14. Characteristics of Dystopian Fiction
3. State propaganda programs and educational systems that encourage citizens to worship the government and its leaders.
4. Strict conformity is enforced among citizens and there is a general assumption that dissent and individuality are bad
Characteristics of Dystopian Fiction

15. Characteristics of Dystopian Fiction
5. There is a fanatical worship of the leader or figurehead over the government.
6. There is a fear or disgust of the world outside the state
7. Traditional life, especially organized religion, is often viewed as primitive and nonsensical
Characteristics of Dystopian Fiction

16. Characteristics of Dystopian Fiction
8. The police and justice system are corrupt. Criminals are guilty until proven innocent.
9. The government constantly watches its citizens. Surveillance is mandatory.
10. The natural world (i.e. nature, wilderness) is considered dangerous and unnecessary.
Characteristics of Dystopian Fiction

17. Characteristics of Dystopian Fiction
11. There is always a backstory of a natural disaster, war, revolution, uprising, spike in overpopulation or some other climactic event which resulted in dramatic changes to society. These changes are always bad.
12. The standard of living among the lower is generally poorer than in contemporary society. There is no middle class.
Characteristics of Dystopian Fiction

18. Characteristics of Dystopian Fiction
13. A protagonist who lives in the society questions and fights against it.
14. The society features technology more advanced than that of contemporary society.
15. Information, independent thought, and freedom are restricted.
Characteristics of Dystopian Fiction

19. Characteristics of Dystopian Fiction
16. Citizens live in a dehumanized state.
17. The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world.
See:
Characteristics of Dystopian Fiction

20. The Dystopian Protagonist…
Often feels trapped and is struggling to escape.
Questions the existing social and political systems. 
Believes or feels that something is terribly wrong with the society in which he or she lives.
Helps the audience recognizes the negative aspects of the dystopian world through his or her perspective.
The Dystopian Protagonist…

21. Do we live in a Dystopia? A future dystopia? Here’s a checklist.
Starving, homeless, suffering people everywhere? Failing economic system?
A large gap between the rich and the poor?
Failing or micromanaging government?
Widespread corruption and crime?
Leaders worshipped fanatically?
Is individuality unacceptable?
Frequent worldwide epidemics and natural disasters?
Do we live in a Dystopia? A future dystopia? Here’s a checklist.

22. Writer’s Notebook #3 Respond to the following questions:
What flaws are there in our society? What problems do you see in our government, our personalities as people, our economic system, etc.? Predict how they could impact our future. Write about at least four or five.
Is it inevitable that our idea of a utopia will always be flawed and that it will turn into a dystopia? Explain.
7th Grade English TEKS
7.11. Literary Response
A) Offer observations, connections, and questions in response to the text
7th Grade Social Studies TEKS
Science/Technology/Society
A) Compare types and uses of technology in the past and present.
F) Make predictions about consequences resulting from future discoveries
Critical Thinking Skills
D) Identify points of view from the historical context and frame of reference
Writer’s Notebook #3