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

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

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

4. 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.

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

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

7. Characteristic #2
Information, independent thought & freedom are restricted

8. Characteristic #3
A figurehead or concept is worshipped by the citizens of the society.

9. Characteristic #4
Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance

10. Characteristic #5 Citizens have a fear of the outside world

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

12. Characteristic #7
The natural world is banished & mistrusted.

13. Characteristic #8
Citizens conform to uniform expectations. Individuality & dissent is bad.

14. Characteristic #9
The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world.

15. 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:

16. Corporate Control
One or more large corporations control society through products, advertising, and/or the media

17. Technological Control
Society is controlled by technology: through computers, robots and/or scientific means

18. Bureaucratic Control
Society is controlled by a mindless bureaucracy through a tangle of red tape, relentless regulations & incompetent government officials.

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

20. 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