The Dystopian Novel: A Comparison of 1984 with a Contemporary Novel
1st Six Weeks Extra Credit
This summer and the next few weeks we will explore two examples of societies created with the
intention of making the world a better place. The first, The Once and Future King begins with a dream of
a country where there is no war. Ultimately, this utopian society falls because of man’s passions, pride,
and desire for power. Through this novel we see that man seems unable to live in peace for very long.
Ultimately our nature destroys peace. Our second novel, 1984, tells the story of a dystopian society. In
it, a society immerges from a dream of a better society into one that barely sustains its citizens. Both
novels show the development of a society into something that wasn’t intended. This is a current theme
in contemporary novels today. As an extra credit assignment, you will read a novel with a dystopian
society and compare it to 1984.
Procedure:
1. Prewriting:
Choose a novel that is about a dystopian society to read outside of class. You may find one of your own
or choose one from the list provided. As you read this novel, you will compare it to 1984 using the
comparison example attached. This comparison activity will serve as your pre-writing. Be sure to record
the page numbers used for your quotes as they are required in your paper.
2. Essay:
Write a 2-3 page essay that compares 1984 to your novel. In this comparison you must address how the
societies in the novels are alike and how they are different. You must provide quotes for support from
1984 and your novel.
Essay Requirements:
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All essays must have a title and be typed (double spaced/ 12 point font)
All essays must have a 1” margin
All essays must contain an introduction, conclusion, and at least three body paragraphs
containing a comparison or contrast between the novels. Each example must be proven and
supported with a quote and commentary from both novels. Without documented support, you
will not get credit for your examples. In other words, you must be able to discuss your novel
using the text as support.
Pre-writing comparison activity
3. Due Date:
Extra credit is due the Friday prior to the last Friday of the six weeks. After that Friday, essays
will not be taken.
Dystopias: Definition and Characteristics
Utopia: A place, state, or condition that is ideally perfect in respect of politics, laws, customs, and
conditions.
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. Dystopias, through an exaggerated worst-case scenario, make a criticism about a current trend,
societal norm, or political system.
Characteristics of a Dystopian Society
• 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.
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 types of controls:
• Corporate control: One or more large corporations control society through products, advertising,
and/or the media. Examples include Minority Report and Running Man.
• Bureaucratic control: Society is controlled by a mindless bureaucracy through a tangle of red tape,
relentless regulations, and incompetent government officials. Examples in film include Brazil.
• Technological control: Society is controlled by technology—through computers, robots, and/or
scientific means. Examples include The Matrix, The Terminator, and I, Robot.
• Philosophical/religious control: Society is controlled by philosophical or religious ideology often
enforced through a dictatorship or theocratic government.
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.