Dystopian Literature TeenTechUniversity, ©2017 What a Strange New World... Imagine a world where you are trapped. There is no freedom. You have no choices. You are told what to do and when to do it. You cannot protest. You cannot fight back; for if you do, you will be destroyed... Matched by Ally Condie 2 What is dystopia? (These are Very Important) Dystopia is a futuristic fictional world. The elements of a dystopian setting include: • 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. 3 What is dystopia? (These are Very Important) Dystopia is a futuristic fictional world. The elements of a dystopian setting include: • 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. 4 WHERE DID THIS HORRIFIC IDEA OF A DYSTOPIAN WORLD COME FROM? What sort of sick person... 2 ways to start a dystopian society 1. Society adopts a new form of leadership to create a better world. Normally a genuine desire to save the world. 2. Apocalyptic event destroys most of society. Those left must adopt extreme policies to stay alive. New leadership takes things too far and becomes unjust, oppressive and inhumane Dystopian Worlds Dystopian worlds frequently serve as a criticism of our CURRENT society and is intended to be a warning of the direction where our world may be heading IF change is not implemented. themes • Danger of particular leadership • Importance of knowledge and truth • Danger of particular policies • Danger of unequal groups • Importance of free will and individuality • Danger of technology • Danger of desensitization • Importance of humanity • Danger of human nature Utopia vs Dystopia Utopia vs Dystopia The word "dystopia" is the commonly used antonym for "eutopia" or utopia. Utopia is a place or setting that is ideal or perfect especially in laws, government, and social conditions. ‘Utopia’ owes its existence to Sir Thomas More (1478-1535), whose 1516 work Utopia introduced the word into English. Utopia is a pun, designed to put us in mind of the Greek u-topos (‘no place’) and eu-topos (‘good place’). Utopias, Sir Thomas More appears to be saying, are too good to be true. The Meaning of “Dystopia” If ‘utopia’ denotes an ideal or dream society, ‘dystopia’ is the word used to refer to an imagined nightmare world – normally the world of the future. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the noun “dystopia” is defined as “an imaginary place or condition in which everything is as bad as possible.” What are the characteristics of a dystopian society? In a Dystopian Society: ❏ The majority are oppressed by a ruling elite. ❏ Citizens are afraid and distrustful of the “outside world.” ❏ Documents and books that were written from or about the past or banned or have been destroyed. ❏ Everyone must conform to uniform rules or expectations. ❏ Originality or any act of nonconformity is deemed undesirable or even considered to be a criminal act. ❏ Dystopias present an illusion that the society is a utopia. Appearance vs Reality What a Strange New World... The society that is depicted in Lois Lowry’s The Giver appears to be utopian - a perfect world as envisioned by its creators. It has eliminated fear, pain, hunger, illness, conflict, and hatred—all things that most of us would like to eliminate in our own society. 15 The reality is a living nightmare. How are dystopian societies controlled and oppressed? Corporate Control One or more organizations maintain control over society through advertising or the media. Bureaucratic Control Society is controlled by a mindless bureaucracy, excessive regulations, and incompetent government officials. Technological Control Humans are controlled by technology, computers, or by scientific methods that force them to conform. I, Robot Movie Trailer The Eye of Minds by James Dashner Religious/Philosophical Control Society is controlled by philosophical or religious ideology often enforced through a dictatorship or theocratic government. Neal Shusterman’s novel, Unwind, depicts a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts. Three runaways fight the system that would “unwind” them. Connor’s parents want to be rid of him because he’s a troublemaker. Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs. Lev’s unwinding has been planned since his birth, as part of his family’s strict religion. Brought together by chance, and kept together by desperation, these three unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing their lives hang in the balance. If they can survive until their eighteenth birthday, they can’t be harmed Religious/Philosophical Control Unwind: Movie Trailer What are the common traits of dystopian protagonists? Ender’s Game Maze Runner Divergent Dystopian Protagonists ❏ Often feels trapped and is struggling to escape. ❏ Challenges and questions the beliefs, political, and social systems in his or her society. ❏ Feels that something is wrong or unjust. ❏ Reveals the negative qualities of the dystopian setting from his or her perspective. ❏ Decides fighting back or escaping is worth any potential risks. As a reader how can you recognize a dystopian setting? Now just a minute here.... Something appears “off” within the first few paragraph or pages within the text. Dystopian Alert! Red Flags The story takes place in the future, but the description of the setting sounds primitive. Outrageous, bizarre, or unjust aspects of living in a dystopia are presented as normal to the reader and accepted by the majority. Much has been destroyed by war. There is a central figure or ruling body who makes all decisions for others. What can dystopian literature or film teach us? Only the reader or viewer can answer that!
