Dystopia
This is a classical example of a dystopian
novel – everything is not perfect; instead,
everything is awful.
As you read, consider how the power
structure constructs a dystopian society.
Dystopian style is found throughout literature.
Consider Fahrenheit 451 and Harrison
Bergeron.
A key to this style is the use of language that
shows that, at least officially, conditions in
society are not only good but they are wonderful,
great, better then ever in recorded history.
This is the contradicted by the actual conditions
in which society exists.
Characteristics of a Dystopian
Society
Propaganda is used to control the citizens
Information, independent thought, and
freedom are restricted
A figurehead or concept is worshipped by
the citizens
Citizens are perceived to be under
constant surveillance
Characteristics of a Dystopian
Society
Citizens live in fear of the outside world
Citizens lives in a dehumanized state
Citizens conform to uniform expectations.
Individuality and dissent are punished.
The society is an illusion of a perfect
utopian world.
Types of Control
Most dystopian works present a world in
which oppressive societal control and the
illusion of a perfect society are maintained
through one or more of these controls:
Corporate control: A large corporation
controls society through products,
advertising, and the media. Examples:
Minority Report and Running Man.
Types of Control
Bureaucratic control: Society is controlled
by a mindless bureaucracy through a
tangle of red tape, relentless regulations,
and incompetent government officials.
Technological control: Society is controlled
by technology – through computers,
robots, and/or scientific means. Consider
The Matrix; The Terminator; I, Robot
Types of Control
Philosophical or religious control: Society
is controlled by religious/philosophical
ideology enforced through a dictatorship or
theocratic government. Consider V for
Vendetta.
The Dystopian Protagonist
Feels trapped and struggles to escape
Questions the existing system
Believes/feels that something is wrong
with society
Helps the audience recognize the negative
aspects of the dystopian world through his
perspective
Types of Dystopian Control
The question becomes why does Orwell present such a grim picture of a totalitarian state?
Consider context – he has witnessed Stalin and his crushing regime; he witnessed his own gov’t, Britain, ruthlessly treat its subject in India; and he watched Hitler torment an entire race.
For Orwell, whether totalitarianism is
dressed up in the cruel methods of Hitler
or Stalin or the benevolent promises of
socialism, it is still absolute control over
the individual.
The Dystopian Novel
In a dystopian novel, plot lines follow one
of two directions, things happen to the
characters, but the characters either
– Escape their fate
– The “establishment” wins
Structurally, dystopian novels are usually
divided into three acts.
Act 1
Largely exposition, establishes the
parameters of the society and introduces
the characters. Usually, some precipitous
event occurs toward the end of Act 1 that
introduces the conflict and begins the
rising action.
Act 2
Act 2 contains most of the rising action as
it follows the attempts of the main
character to either escape or change the
society. The climax – the point at which
the character’s attempts to fulfill his desire
and society's attempts to thwart him reach
the point at which one or the other must
win – usually occurs either at the end of
Act 2 or the beginning of Act 3.
Act 3
Act 3 contains the falling action, the
aftermath of the action in Act 2. The
theme is derived from the resolution of the
plot: if the attempt to escape is successful,
or the dystopian society is changed, the
novel has a positive theme. If, however,
the attempts at escape or change fail, the
novel has a negative theme.
Common Characters in the
Dystopian Novel
Representatives of the powerful, those in control
Representatives of the “typical” citizen, perfectly happy with the society or blissfully unaware of society’s flaws
Sometimes these characters are staunchly patriotic and can’t comprehend anyone’s dissatisfaction with the society
Sometimes these characters naively take for granted that the way things are is simply the way things are.
Sometimes these characters are passive/philosophical: they are aware of the flaws in the society (though maybe not troubled by them), but they accept the flaws. They believe either there is no need or no point to change.
At least one character is disenfranchised by the society, who desires either to escape or to change
Sometimes these characters begin the
novel loving society, but events in the
novel cause a change in belief
Sometimes these characters being the
novel already disliking society. Often at
the beginning of the novel, they desire
change but feel powerless to effect any
change.
Common Philosophical or Thematic
Traits in the Dystopian Novel
The individual is worth nothing more than
her value as part of the governmental
machine.
Power can reside either in a single dictator
or in a larger governmental organization.
Major forms of control include education,
communications, pop culture
Military control can be a factor