Dystopian Literature

Dystopian Literature

This activity will help prepare you for the reading of Harrison Bergeron, The Lottery and other Dystopian Short stories.

Poll

In a perfect world, I would want...

• Safety

• Security

• Freedom

• Individuality

What is a utopia?

Utopia is a novel written by Sir Thomas More in 1516. Essentially, it is supposed to be a perfect world. In reality, perfect worlds are too good to be true. Because in order to gain something good, you have to sacrifice. What can that sacrifice lead to?????

Open Ended

Why would it be almost impossible for a utopia to exist?

Dystopian Worlds - As bad as it gets!

Dystopian settings in novels usually have the following characteristics:

futuristic

totalitarian governments

constant surveillance

propaganda is used to create fear

Poll

Here are some famous dystopian worlds. Check all that you are familiar with:

• Hunger Games

• Divergent

• Maze Runner

• Ender's Game

• The Giver

Dystopian Societies...

• The majority have no individual rights.

• Everyone must conform to uniform rules or expectations "for the greater good"

• Nonconformity is often considered a criminal act.

• Books, intellectual thoughts, and the outside world are considered dangerous.

Control Comes From Four Entities in These Novels...

• Corporations control society through the media and advertising

• Bureaucracy - excessive rules and regulations

• Technology, science, and robots

• Religious conformity

Open Ended

Why is it impossible to make everyone EQUAL and create a UTOPIA?

Dystopian Protagonists:

• Often feel trapped and want to escape

• Question and often challenge the societal beliefs

• Feel something is wrong or unjust

• Often fight to reveal the negative aspects of the society

Open Ended

Why do think authors write about these types of worlds?

What message are they trying to send?