A DEFINITION OF DYSTOPIA
What is a dystopia? Well, that question is not as easily answered as one might think. To put it as
simply as possible, a dystopian depiction can be described as a dark vision of the future.
It is a wretched, imaginary place where people lead dehumanized lives and often
fearful for their very existence. Dystopian Fiction work as a whole includes images of a
world that is worse than our world.
Dystopian images are almost invariably images of future society, pointing fearfully at
the way the world is supposedly going in order to provide urgent propaganda for a
change in direction.
Who wrote Utopia and why? What would he consider a utopia?
Dystopias are frequently written as warnings, or as satires, showing current trends
extrapolated to a nightmarish conclusion. A dystopia is all too closely connected to
current-day society.
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The dystopian concept is formulated with the following essential features:
 Dystopian societies are undesirable or even horrifying.
o Wall-E: the Earth is a complete wasteland of dust and rubble, and remnants of
civilization.
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If the present condition continues, then there will be no life/ life sources.
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Life on Earth is completely unsustainable. (reflective of Earth in the future).
 Dystopian societies are usually futuristic and fictional.
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All fiction has a willing suspension of disbelief (often used as a means to
extend or establish commentary)
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Futuristic aspects are in the setting of the story as well as its characters
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Wall-E: setting is the Axiom, luxury space liner, where people don’t do
anything for themselves. Technology in Wall-E absolves man from toil.
 Dystopian depictions can be regarded as warnings (for the future).
o
In 451, Bradbury warns his readers that people become obsessed with
foolish pursuits and appearance rather than intellectual stimulation.

In today’s society, man is more preoccupied with pleasurable
pursuits than intellectual stimulation
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What can be done to further develop and support this point?
 Dystopian fiction is both about today (period written) and tomorrow (the future). It
could reflect an alternate history (the possibility if a particular event happened
different than the way history currently records it)
o
Not-to-distant-future (Jurassic Park, The Day After Tomorrow)
 Dystopian fiction comments on our own/present society.
 Dystopian and utopian concepts are relative to the author’s perspective. (Duh! That’s any
writing)

The perception of an ideal society and a wretched society will change with
time.

GSW: What piece of literature read during 11th Grade History
postulated that the “ills (troubles) and actions of the present would
be reviewed by the future generations”?

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Title of work and the author
Assignment: Prove that Wall*E is an example of a dystopia despite its presentation as a
children’s movie.
Key to success for this essay: Make certain that your argument is steeped in the literary
terms discussed in class in order to add focus and authority to your argument.
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Imagery
Characterization
Plot
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Conflict
Allusion
Theme
Sample Thesis and focus:
Stanton’s Wall-E explores man’s chaotic future at the expense of lapsed
comradeship/companionship. Stanton’s use of music, especially “Put on Your
Sunday Clothes,” “La Vie en Rose,” and “It Only Takes a Moment” reinforce his
warning that man’s future technology achievements will compromise his
interpersonal relationships. The use of music and his warning about man’s solitary
future confirm that Wall-E is more than a simple children’s movie.
Task:
1. Identify the given (fact) of the aforementioned thesis statement.
2. Identify the theory (prove) section of the aforementioned thesis statement.
a. According to the prove section, exactly what element will the writer use
to prove his point?
3. Generate an idea map or an outline reflective of the progression of
proof/argument that you would use for this sample thesis.
a. In order to fulfill your proof, what sort of resources are necessary?
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