Dystopian Literature

Dystopian Literature

DYSTOPIA

A 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, make a criticism about a current trend, societal norm, or political system.

Characteristics of a Dystopian Society

• Propaganda is used to control the citizens of society.

• Information, independent thought, and freedom are restricted.

• A figurehead or concept is worshipped by the citizens of the society. 

Characteristics of a Dystopian Society

• Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance.

• Citizens have a fear of the outside world.

• Citizens live in a dehumanized state. 

Characteristics of a Dystopian Society

• The natural world is banished and distrusted. 

• Citizens conform to uniform expectations. Individuality and dissent are bad.

• The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world. 

Types of Dystopian Controls:

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 the following types of 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. 

The Dystopian Protagonist

• often feels trapped and is struggling to escape.

• questions the existing social and political systems.

• believes or feels that something is terribly wrong with the society in which he or she lives.

• helps audience recognize negative aspects of the dystopian world through his perspective.

  
  

Multiple Choice

Dystopia is a place, state, or condition that is ideally perfect in respect of politics, laws, customs, and conditions.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

In a dystopia, citizens are free to come and go as they please without fear of being under surveillance.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Individuality is considered taboo and possibly against the law in a dystopia.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Society is often controlled by an incompetent governing body, a major corporation, technology, or religion in a dystopia.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

The protagonist in a dystopia often agrees with societal norms and encourages others to follow them.

• True

• False

Poll

Choose the level of which you agree with the following statement: I have read and enjoy dystopian literature.

• Completely Disagree

• Disagree

• Neutral

• Agree

• Completely Agree

Open Ended

Please list the name(s) of any dystopian novels or short stories you enjoyed.