1. The Dystopian Genre
English III |

2. What does a movie or book have to have/do to be dystopian?

3. Function/Purpose
Good dystopian texts offer social commentary/criticism of society
Social commentary is the act of using rhetorical means to provide commentary on issues in a society. This is often done to persuade the audience to implement or promote change by informing the general populace about a given problem and appealing to people's sense of justice
Dystopian literature/film achieves its function by utilizing various themes...

4. Common Dystopian Themes
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 (loss of individualism)
a collective loss of memory and history, which makes mankind easier to manipulate psychologically and ultimately leads to dehumanization

5. Setting
Set in the future made by the consequences of today’s social issues.
Looks different based on which social
issue and type of control is involved:
Examples:
Apocalyptic Wasteland
Corporate Wonderland
Isolated Communities

6. Protagonist and Point of View (POV)
Qualities of a dystopian protagonist:
First Person or 3rd Person Limited POV
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 recognize the negative aspects of the dystopian world through his or her perspective.

7. Types of Control Corporate
One or more large corporations control society through products, advertising, and/or the media
Bureaucratic
Society is controlled by a mindless bureaucracy through a tangle of red tape, relentless regulations, and incompetent government officials
Technological
Society is controlled by--or extremely dependent on--technology such as computers, robots, and/or other scientific means.
Philosophical
Society is controlled by philosophical or religious ideology often enforced through a dictatorship or theocratic government. Influences the values of society.

8. Brazil (1985)

9. The Lobster (2016)

10. i,Robot (2004)

11. The Lego Movie (2014)

12. Additional Characteristics of Dystopian Genre
Propaganda is used to control the citizens of society.
Information, independent thought, and freedom are restricted.
A figurehead or concept is worshipped by the citizens of the society.
Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance.
Citizens have a fear of the outside world.
Citizens live in a dehumanized state.
The natural world is banished and distrusted.
Citizens conform to uniform expectations. Individuality and dissent are bad.
The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world.