Dystopian Novels

Definitiondys-/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

It refers to good but impossible proposals - or at least ones that are difficult to carry out.

Utopian refers to human efforts to create a hypothetically perfect society.

Examples of Utopian Novels

Utopia by Thomas MoreErewhon by Samuel ButlerA 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 NovelsDystopian 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

1984Brave New WorldFahrenheit 451A Clockwork OrangeAnimal FarmThe Time MachineThe Handmaiden’s TaleThe Hunger Games

http://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/351-the-dystopian-timeline-to-the-hunger-games-infographic

1984 The Hunger Games

Brave New World

Fahrenheit 451

A Clockwork Orange

The Handmaiden’s Tale

Divergent

Dystopian ProtagonistFeels 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.

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.

District 9

Types of ControlOppressive societal control and illusion of perfect

society maintained by:Corporate control: maintained through

advertising, products, media.Examples include Minority Report and Running Man.

Bureaucratic control: mindless bureaucracy through red tape, relentless regulations, incompetent government officials. Examples in film include Brazil.

The Hunger Games

Types of ControlTechnological 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.

The Matrix