Transcript Dystopian Novels

Definition
 dys-/dus- (Latin/Greek roots: 'bad' or 'abnormal') + topos (Greek root: 'place') = 'bad place'
 eu- (Greek root: 'good') / ou- (Greek root: 'not') + topos (Greek root: 'place') = 'good/no place'
 dystopia n. an imaginary wretched place, the opposite of
utopia
 utopia n. a place or state of ideal perfection, the opposite
of dystopia
Definition Check: Utopian
 A Utopia is a place, state
or condition that is ideally
perfect in respect of
politics, laws, customs,
and conditions.
Definition Check: Utopian
Utopian refers to human efforts to create a
hypothetically perfect society.
 It refers to good
but impossible
proposals - or at
least ones that
are difficult to
carry out.
Examples of Utopian Novels
 Utopia by Thomas More
 Erewhon by Samuel Butler
 A Modern Utopia by H.G. Wells
 Island by Aldous Huxley
Dystopian versus Utopian
 Dystopian is the opposite of utopian; it is often a
utopia gone sour, an imaginary place or state
where everything is as bad as it could possibly be.
Dystopian Novels
 Dystopian novels
usually include
elements of
contemporary society
and are seen as a
warning against some
modern trend.
 Writers use them as
cautionary tales, in
which humankind is
put into a society that
may look inviting on
the surface but in
reality, is a nightmare.
Examples of Dystopian Novels
 1984
 Brave New World
 Fahrenheit 451
 A Clockwork Orange
 Animal Farm
 The Time Machine
Dystopia Defined
 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, offer
criticism of a current trend, societal norm, or political system.
A Clockwork Orange
Characteristics of Dystopian
Society
 Natural world banished or
distrusted.
 Conformity for all –
individuality and dissidence is
considered bad.
 Society is illusion of perfect
utopian world.
Characteristics of Dystopian
Society
 Propaganda used to control
citizens.
 Information, independent
thought, freedom restricted.
 A figurehead or concept
worshipped by citizens.
Animal Farm
Characteristics of Dystopian
Society
 Fear of the outside
world.
 Dehumanized state of
living.
The Road
Types of Control
Oppressive societal control and illusion of perfect society
maintained by:
Corporate control: maintained through advertising,
products, media.Examples include Minority Report and
Running Man.
The Running Man
Types of Control
Oppressive societal control and illusion of perfect society
maintained by:
Bureaucratic control: mindless bureaucracy through red
tape, relentless regulations, incompetent government
officials. Examples in film include Brazil.
Brazil
Types of Control
Technological control: Society controlled by technology—
through computers, robots, and/or scientific means.
Examples include The Matrix, The Terminator, and I, Robot.
Philosophical/religious control: Society controlled by
philosophical or religious ideology often enforced through
a dictatorship or theocratic government.
Dystopian Protagonist
 Feels trapped and struggles to escape.
 Questions the existing social and political systems.
 Believes or feels something is terribly wrong with his/her
society.
 Helps audience recognize negative aspects of dystopian
world through his/her perspective.