Dystopian Literature

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Dystopian Literature
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Dystopian Literature
A subgenre of science fiction Some famous
dystopian movies and books are 1984 The
Matrix Fahrenheit 451 Minority Report Brave New
World Wall-E Player Piano V for Vendetta
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What is a dystopia?
The vision of a society that is the opposite of
utopia A dystopian society is one where life is
miserable The society is full of poverty,
oppression, violence, disease, and/or pollution
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Common traits of a dystopian society
Negative and undesirable societies They are seen
as visions of dangerous and alienating future
societies. They often criticize current trends
in culture.
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Dystopian Society
Severe social restrictions on characters
lives Social classes are strictly defined and
enforced The government wants people to conform,
not to excel
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Social Classes in a Dystopia
Mostly the only social classes are the government
and its subdivisions The leader is often a
religious or god-like character The idea of
family is attacked and the family structure is
disrupted
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Nature in a Dystopia
Characters are isolated from contact with the
natural world Dystopias are commonly urban and
generally avoid nature
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Politics in a Dystopia
Common political systems in a dystopia are
anarchism, bureaucracy, socialism, communism,
chaos, excessive capitalism, fascism,
totalitarianism, and dictatorships. Why are
these the most common types of government in a
dystopia? They exert A LOT of control!
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Politics in a Dystopia
Political system is flawed in some way Portrayed
as oppressive Protagonist often has pessimistic
views of the ruling class or government and forms
or joins a resistance group
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Elements of Dystopian Literature
Usually advanced technology Usually centers
around a protagonist who questions the
society Usually a group of people who are not
under control of the government The hero puts
his/her faith in these people The heros goal is
either to escape or destroy the social order The
story is often unresolved
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Dr. Robert J. Liftons8 Criteria for Thought
Reform

1. Milieu Control controlling information and
   communication in the environment and the
   individual
2. Mystical Manipulation making experiences seem
   spontaneous when they were really planned by the
   leader or the group in power
3. Demand for Purity world is viewed as black and
   white and everyone is expected to conform
4. Confession sins are expected to be confessed
   publicly

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Dr. Robert J. Liftons8 Criteria for Thought
Reform

• 5. Sacred Silence the groups beliefs are the
  ultimate truth beyond all questioning or dispute
• 6. Loading the Language the group uses words
  and phrases that outsiders dont understand the
  language also makes the members conform

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Dr. Robert J. Liftons8 Criteria for Thought
Reform

• 7. Doctrine Over the Person personal
  experiences must fit into the belief system if
  they do not, they will be reinterpreted so that
  they do
• 8. Dispensing of Existence those in the outside
  world must be converted to the groups ideology
  if they do not convert, they must be rejected by
  the members