Transcript Utopia
Greek for “no place” an ideal place or state any visionary system of political or social perfection; the inhabitants are free and have transcended social problems Sir Thomas More’s book Utopia religious groups experimental communities socialist groups a foundational book about the perfect example government – a Republic. no war, no poverty, no lawyers, no misery Modern Day Utopias Acorn Community Farm: http://www.ic.org/directory/acorn-communityfarm/ a supposedly ideal place that has some secret problems an ‘enlightened one’ shows the world how things could be better Utopia VS. Dystopia Utopia Dystopia • A perfect place with ideal • A future, imagined universe where society is oppressed by at least one of the following – Laws – Politics – Customs – Conditions – Corporate control (Minority Report) – Bureaucratic control (too many regulations & red tape) – Technology (I, Robot, The Matrix – Totalitarian/Dictatorship (The Giver, Delirium) Characteristics of a Dystopia #1: Propaganda • Propaganda is used to control citizens of a society #2: Restrictions • Information, independent thought, and freedom are controlled or restricted #3: Worshipping a Concept • A figurehead or concept is worshipped in a society – Anti-love sentiment in Delirium – Equality in The Giver – Obsession with the brain chip in Feed #4: Constant Surveillance • Citizens perceive they are under constant surveillance. Someone is always watching, via cameras or spies. #5: Fear of Outside World • Citizens fear the world outside the boundaries of their country or area. • Even if allowed to, citizens would likely not leave. #6: Dehumanized • Citizens live in a dehumanized state. • This can vary: – Living without love – Living in abject poverty – Living with too much technology #7: Fear of Natural World • Citizens fear the natural world (nature). #8: Conformity • Citizens conform to universal expectations. • Individuality, dissent is bad The seemingly insignificant man, Winston Smith works for the government. His job is to change the records, to change history, to rewrite the events of our past. Eventually, he can’t stand it and begins a rebellion that leads him into torture and all kinds of other trouble. In this futuristic novel, Guy Montag is a "fireman" who burns books for the government. Anyone caught with books is in violation of the law and subject to punishment. Fortunately, some people refuse to let books disappear forever. The government is cloning people and producing hundreds of twins for scientific growth and research. That can’t be good! Everything and everyone is the same in Jonas’s community. That’s the best way to make sure no one gets hurt. The community leaders choose everything for you – your name, your family, your job, your hobbies, your world. But what happens when someone wants more than the same? Each year, the government “reaps” 2 teens from each District to have the honor of competing in the Hunger Games. The problem is only one person will make it out alive. This is the government’s way of keeping the people under control and in fear.