Dystopian Literature

Dystopian Literature:

According to the Science-Fiction Dictionary Brave New Words, dystopian literature is "an imagined society or state of affairs in which conditions are extremely bad, especially in which these conditions result from the continuation of some current trend to an extreme." 

 

Name three synonyms for dystopia.

1. Antonym of utopia
2. Suffer
3. Nasty

What is the antonym for dystopia?

1. Extremely Good
2. A good place

Dystopian Origins and characteristics

Dystopia is a relatively new genre, but has deeply rooted origins dating back to Thomas More's 1516 text Utopia. Dystopia fiction often comes about when major events happen in the world (WWII, the rise of communism, major advances in technology).  

Defining features of dystopia include:

• Full Government control
• Citizens relinquishing all rights
• Seemingly perfect societies with a dark side to them
• The rise of technology, and how it overtakes humanity
• Citizens have a fear of the outside world
• Citizens worship one leader
• Citizens live in a dehumanised state

Types of Dystopian Controls:

• Corporate control: One or more large corporations control society through products, advertising, and/or the media.  
• 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.  
• Philosophical/religious control: Society is controlled by philosophical or religious ideology often enforced through a dictatorship or theocratic government.  

Which dystopian novels have you read?  

I have never have been reading any type of dystopian novels, but I have heard of some of them and I feel like I have watch some.

How many others can you name?  

I know one famous favourite dystopian novel, which is called "The Hunger Games" I have not red the book but have watch the movie.

FAMOUS DYSTOPIAN TEXTS:

• 1984 - George Orwell - often seen as the definitive text - 'Big Brother is watching you
• Brave New World - Aldous Huxley - once again an earlier example of dystopian literature
• A Clockwork Orange- Anthony Burgess - Stanley Kubrick's film adaptation was banned in the U.K for twenty-five years until 1999 due to its "ultra-violence' and copycat crimes. Burgess claims he regrets ever having published the book.  

Examining the Cover

Must Do Questions:

Looking at the original cover to the right, answer the following questions, remember to explain why you think that for each answer:

• How do you think this story will be written? By the looks of the cover I feel like the story will be written in some type of way that can somehow change peoples emotion, because the way it looks it sort of looks like a transformation from normal to powerful.
• Why do you think the story is entitled as it is? Maybe because the way the title is named and the what everything looks outside the covers of the book, goes well with what the story is telling.
• Where do you think the story will take place? I feel like the story will take place in a very dark scary cave or place, I think that because the cover of the book and black and red which seems scary.
• What time period do you think the story is set in? I believe this story was set in I think 2006 or 2007, and I say that because this story was before the hunger games was published in 2008 which should be written 1 or 2 years before the hunger games.