What is a Dystopia

Dystopian
Literature

What is Dystopian Literature?

Dystopian literature presents an imagined world where everything seems
perfect, but actually, it's far from it. It's a society where people live under
oppressive control, losing their freedoms and happiness

Multiple Choice

What is the main characteristic of dystopian literature?

• It depicts a society that is completely free and happy.

• It presents a perfect world with no problems.

• It portrays an imagined society under oppressive control, where people lose their freedoms and happiness.

• It focuses on real-world historical events.

Elements of a dystopia include:

●Oppressive governments

●Lack of freedom

●High tech surveillance

●Illusion of a perfect society

●The presence of a hero (character) who questions
the system

●Environmental Disaster

●Propaganda used to brainwash people

What is dystopia?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT an element of a dystopian society?

• Oppressive governments

• Unlimited personal wealth for everyone

• Lack of freedom

• High-tech surveillance

Multiple Choice

What is often used in dystopian societies to control people’s thoughts and actions?

• Propaganda

• Free education

• Open communication

• Community elections

Multiple Choice

Which of the following describes the role of a hero in a dystopian story?

• They create propaganda for the government.

• They help maintain the system in place.

• They question the system and fight against it.

• They ignore the problems in society.

Multiple Choice

What is meant by the “illusion of a perfect society” in a dystopia?

• A society that appears perfect but hides oppressive control.

• A society where people are free to do anything.

• A society without any problems or disasters.

• A society where everything is genuinely perfect.

Multiple Choice

Environmental disasters in dystopian stories often serve to show:

• How technology has solved all problems.

• How perfect the society is.

• How governments fix environmental issues.

• How humans have contributed to the downfall of society.

●They make us think about our values, question authority, and understand the importance of freedom and individuality.

●Dystopian worlds frequently serve as a criticism of our CURRENT society and is intended to be a warning of the direction where our world may be heading IF change is not implemented.

What dystopian stories?

Multiple Choice

What is one purpose of dystopian stories?

• To celebrate oppressive governments

• To entertain with lighthearted and happy themes

• To make us think about our values and question authority

• To ignore the importance of individuality

Multiple Choice

Dystopian worlds are often created as:

• A guide to follow for creating perfect communities

• A depiction of an ideal future society

• A warning about where our society may be headed if change is not made

• A criticism of ancient civilizations

Multiple Choice

How do dystopian stories help us reflect on our world?

• By showing how freedom and individuality are unimportant

• By highlighting the dangers of certain societal trends and behaviors

• By encouraging people to avoid questioning authority

• By celebrating current societal systems

Multiple Choice

What societal aspect do dystopian stories often criticize?

• Ancient traditions

• Current societal problems

• Future technological advancements

• Fictional governments

Utopia vs Dystopia

Welcome

to

paradise!

Utopia vs Dystopia

A utopia is the opposite of a dystopia.
It is a perfect society.

Sometimes a fictional story may seem utopic, but
upon closer examination, it is actually a dystopia!

Multiple Choice

What is a utopia?

• A perfect society

• A society with oppressive governments

• A society full of disasters

• A society with no freedom

Multiple Choice

What is the main difference between a utopia and a dystopia?

• A utopia is full of technology, while a dystopia has no technology.

• A utopia is fictional, while a dystopia is real.

• A utopia is a future society, while a dystopia is a past society.

• A utopia is perfect, while a dystopia is flawed and oppressive.

Multiple Choice

How can a story that seems utopic actually be dystopic?

• It is set in the future and has advanced technology.

• It shows only the hero’s perspective.

• It ignores social issues entirely.

• It focuses on the good parts of society but hides oppression.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements is true?

• A utopia and a dystopia are the same.

• A utopia is always realistic.

• A utopia is an ideal society, but a dystopia highlights its flaws.

• A dystopia cannot exist in fiction.

The Giver

In “'The
Giver,” a
society tries
to eliminate
all pain and
suffering, but
at what cost?"

What a Strange New World...

The society that is depicted in

Lois Lowry’s The Giver appears to

be utopian - a perfect world as

envisioned by its creators.

It has eliminated fear, pain,
hunger, illness, conflict, and

hatred—all things that most of
us would like to eliminate in our

own society.

8

Multiple Choice

How is the society in The Giver described by its creators?

• A chaotic and disorganized world

• A dystopian, flawed society

• A utopian, perfect world

• A primitive and undeveloped world

Multiple Choice

What aspects has the society in The Giver eliminated?

• Freedom and individuality

• Technology and innovation

• Fear, pain, hunger, and conflict

• Education and knowledge

Multiple Choice

What does the society in The Giver aim to achieve?

• A perfect world free of suffering and conflict

• Complete control over people’s thoughts

• A society driven by individual desires

• An advanced technological world

Multiple Choice

What is a possible flaw in the utopian society of The Giver?

• It lacks any form of governance.

• It hides potential problems beneath its perfection.

• It encourages hatred and conflict.

• It has no technological advancements.

How are dystopian societies
controlled and oppressed?

Corporate Control

One or more organizations maintain control over

society through advertising or the media.

Bureaucratic Control

Society is controlled by a mindless bureaucracy
(state officials make the decisions not elected

officials), excessive regulations, and incompetent

government officials.

Technological Control

Humans are controlled by technology, computers, or by scientific

methods that force them to conform.

Multiple Choice

What is the main method of control in a society with corporate control?

• Scientific experiments

• Excessive regulations by a bureaucracy

• Advertising or media by organizations

• Advanced artificial intelligence

Multiple Choice

Which characteristic best describes bureaucratic control in a dystopian society?

• Freedom to make personal choices

• Control through regulations and incompetent officials

• Direct control by large corporations

• Advanced technology enforcing rules

Multiple Choice

What is the key feature of technological control in dystopian societies?

• Humans are controlled by the media.

• Humans are controlled by technology, computers, or scientific methods.

• Bureaucratic rules are used to maintain control.

• Governments use propaganda to control people.

Multiple Choice

In a dystopian society with corporate control, who holds the power?

• Scientists

• State officials

• Religious leaders

• Corporations or organizations

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of technological control?

• A government using excessive bureaucracy to make decisions

• A society where propaganda is spread by corporations

• A community where robots enforce strict conformity

• A society where citizens elect leaders to make decisions

What are the common traits of

dystopian protagonists?

Maze Runner

Ender’s Game

Divergent

Dystopian Protagonists

❏

Often feels trapped and is struggling to escape.

❏

Challenges and questions the beliefs, political, and social
systems in his or her society.

❏

Feels that something is wrong or unjust.

❏

Reveals the negative qualities of the dystopian setting from his or her perspective.

❏

Decides fighting back or escaping is worth any potential risks.

Multiple Choice

What is one characteristic of a dystopian protagonist?

• They accept the rules of their society without question.

• They feel trapped and struggle to escape.

• They work to enforce the dystopian rules.

• They avoid noticing any injustices.

Multiple Choice

What does a dystopian protagonist often do?

• Challenges and questions the beliefs and systems of their society

• Helps maintain the dystopian control

• Remains neutral and avoids taking sides

• Focuses only on their personal goals

Multiple Choice

How does a dystopian protagonist reveal the flaws of the dystopian setting?

• By ignoring the problems around them

• By promoting the values of the dystopian society

• By revealing the negative qualities from their perspective

• By enforcing strict rules

Multiple Choice

What does a dystopian protagonist often decide to do despite risks?

• Follow the rules to avoid conflict

• Fight back or escape

• Support the oppressive system

• Ignore the injustices in their society

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the feelings of a dystopian protagonist?

• Indifferent to the problems of their world

• Content with their society

• Fully supportive of the government

• Feels that something is wrong or unjust

Dystopian Alert!

Red Flags

The story takes place in the future, but the description of the setting

sounds primitive (underdeveloped).

Outrageous, bizarre, or unjust aspects of living in a dystopia are presented

as normal to the reader and accepted by the majority.

Much has been destroyed by war.

There is a central figure or ruling body who

makes all decisions for others.

Multiple Choice

What is a "red flag" of a dystopian setting described in the slide?

• The story is set in the distant past.

• The setting is futuristic but feels primitive (undeveloped).

• The story focuses on a thriving and peaceful society.

• The characters have complete freedom and power.

Multiple Choice

In dystopian stories, what is often considered normal by the majority?

• Outrageous, bizarre, or unjust aspects of living.

• A perfect and fair society.

• Equal rights and freedoms for all.

• A focus on technological progress without control.

Multiple Choice

What has often happened to the world in a dystopian setting?

• It has been transformed into a utopia.

• It has become a thriving technological hub.

• It has been destroyed by war.

• It has reverted to prehistoric times.

Multiple Choice

Who typically makes all decisions in a dystopian society?

• Citizens in a democratic process

• Local community leaders

• A collective of independent thinkers

• A central figure or ruling body

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the setting of many dystopian stories?

• A futuristic yet underdeveloped world

• A peaceful society with advanced technology

• A balanced society free of conflict

• A natural and untouched environment

Project Tomorrow

*Make sure you understand the material in these slides because tomorrow we will be working on a project using this same information

*If you are not caught up to chapter 4, please do so. You will be tested on it.