DYSTOPIAN LITERATURE UNIT
Focus Questions:
1. What can we learn about ourselves and our society by reading
dystopian literature?
2. What is the power of social commentary?
3. How do authors create dystopian worlds?
4. What will inspire you to create a utopian / dystopian world?
Objective: To read and critically analyze dystopian literature to
determine how each author created their social commentary and
connect elements to our current society.
Social Commentary
• A social commentary is a critical comment on society. The
criticism can be in the form of a comment on societal behavior
or human nature, or can refer to a specific situation or trend in
an area of the world at a particular point in time.
• While social commentary doesn’t have to be political in nature,
it often is, since many social issues are a result of a particular
political structure or leadership style.
Journal #1 What is the social commentary:
Journal #2
What is the social comment in the song “Glory”? How do you
know and what aspect of our society is the comment related to?
Social Commentary in the literary world:
• Satire: using ridiculous or absurd humor, symbols, and/or
images to make a social comment.
• Allegory: the use of symbols and images to create a cautionary
tale that makes a social comment and usually has a literal and
figurative meaning.
• Parody: Imitating something for a comic effect; can be a type
of satire.
Utopian Unit:
Literary Analysis - Short Story
• Usually has less characters, conflicts, & details
• Note how quickly the author establishes the setting, introduces the
characters, creates the conflict leading to the climax, and begins
developing the theme.
• Keep these questions in mind as you read:
– What is the author trying to say? (what is the social comment?)
– How does this story relate to me and my experiences?
– How does it deepen my knowledge of the world it describes and therefore how
does it deepen my knowledge of me?
• By keeping these questions in mind, you will begin to see how the author
creates the allegory/satire and better understand the social comment.
Close Reading Directions –
1. Annotating: 1). highlight key words or phrases that are interesting,
surprising, significant, or raises questions. 2). CUBS – Circle main
ideas, Underline supporting details, Box unknown words, Side
Commentary
2. Look for patterns in the things you have marked in the text;
literary devices, repetitions, contradictions, similarities, stylistic
devices.
3. Ask questions about the patterns and details you have noticed;
especially how and why. Then look back and use the text to
answer your questions.
On the Left Side of the Journal:
Social Commentary
After reading the assigned text, infer what
the social comment is. 1). Write the social
comment here. 2). Write what aspect of
our society it is related to. You can use the
list below to determine what the social
comment is related to.
Describe the Social Element(s):
1. Government / Leadership / Power
2. Economics /
3. Security / Freedom / Laws
4. Moral / Social Norms (rules for interacting
with members in the society) Cultural Norms
(rules that show one belongs to this society)
5. Education / Ignorance
On the Right Side of the Journal: Annotations
(Evidence from Close Readings)
For each reading section assigned,
create a 3 column chart with 3
quotes that help support / convey
the social comment:
SAY:
quote/
paraphrase
w/ the
page #
WHAT IS
INTERESTING
(PATTERNS):
identify the
literary
devices,
repetitions,
contradictions,
similarities,
stylistic devices
MEANING /
ANALYSIS:
how / why
does this
support
your
analysis of
the social
comment?
Harrison Bergeron Analysis - Use evidence from
the text to support your answers
1. Identify some figurative language in the description of the
scene with Harrison and the Ballerina. How does the language
affect the tone and help convey Vonnegut’s social
commentary?
2. The entire narrative takes place as George and Hazel watch
television. What can be inferred by using television watching
as the primary activity in the narrative? through the
characterization of Hazel, George, and Harrison?
3. How does Harrison’s rebellion reveal the flaw in this
egalitarian system?
“The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas”
1. What is the effect of addressing the audience in the second
and third paragraphs? How does it help to understand /
support the allegory?
2. What is your vision of Omelas? How does it help you
understand the allegory?
3. What is your favorite philosophical / relevant passage that
support the social commentary?
4. What are the symbols in the story that best express the
allegory?
5. What is the “terrible paradox” in the story? What is a terrible
paradox in today’s society?