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Background/history Sir Thomas Moore wrote a book titled Utopia in 1516
In his book, he outlined what he believed to be a perfectly functioning society
A wave of “utopian societies” were created after this as people became obsessed with the idea of perfect living
Most, if not all of these societies, were not successful<br>
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Background/history The term “dystopia” did not originate until around the 1800’s
It’s primary purpose is to serve as an opposite for “utopia,” especially since so many of the ones that were put into practice eventually became undesirable places to live.
Currently, the term “dystopian” is widely used in a literary context to categorize a certain genre of futuristic novels that feature undesirable places and societies.<br>
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Literary characteristics OF THE DYSTOPIAN GENRE<br>
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Genre characteristics Author’s purpose
To warn or advise their readers
To create/establish the future consequences for present day affairs
To expose society’s lust for greed, power, and control
Classic Example: 1984 by George Orwell<br>
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Genre characteristics Setting Elements Futuristic, yet Realistic
Technologically Advanced
Scientifically Advanced
Bleak/Dark Cities or Places
Strict Governmental Control
“Haves/Have Nots” Populations<br>
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Genre characteristics Protagonist vs. Antagonist Average Citizen
Mission/Journey is to dismantle or disrupt the evil society
Often faces many obstacles
Gains courage and strength throughout the novel
Often supported by a small group of friends/accomplices Represents the elite and powerful (governmental leaders, wealthy or rich, etc.)
Mission is to protect the current state of affairs and to maintain power/control
Operates through greed and selfish motives/desires.<br>
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Genre characteristics Plot development The hero usually starts as a normal citizen living within the dystopian society (exposition)
Through a series of incidents, they become responsible for leading a rebellion or revolution against the people in power (rising action)
While fighting against the dystopian government or leadership, the hero discovers their own exceptional talents and strengths (rising action)
After facing many obstacles from the opposition, the hero almost always succeeds by either escaping or conquering those in control (climax)
They may experience loss, but end up making a difference in society and/or living in a better place (falling action/resolution)<br>
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Genre characteristics Nature vs. The Mechanistic World (where nature is good and technology is not)
Good vs. Evil
Freedom vs. Control
Innocence vs. Corruption
Adversity in the face of great opposition
The importance of family and friendship alliances
Fight to live, give up and die mentality Reoccurring Motifs<br>
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Classic dystopian novels<br>
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Guy Montag is a fireman. His job is to burn books, which are forbidden, being the source of all discord and unhappiness.
Even so, Montag is unhappy; there is discord in his marriage and he may or may not be searching for something more inside books.
The Mechanical Hound of the Fire Department, armed with a lethal hypodermic, escorted by helicopters, is ready to track down those dissidents who defy society to preserve and read books. Fahrenheit 451 by ray Bradbury Classic Dystopias<br>
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1984 by George Orwell Classic Dystopias In 1984, Winston Smith lives in London which is part of the country Oceania. The world is divided into three countries that include the entire globe: Oceania, Eurasia, and Eastasia. Oceania, along with both of the others, is a totalitarian society led by Big Brother, which censors everyone’s behavior, even their thoughts. Winston is disgusted with his oppressed life and secretly longs to join the fabled Brotherhood, a supposed group of underground rebels intent on overthrowing the government.<br>
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Brave new world by Aldous Huxley Classic Dystopias Far in the future, the World Controllers have created the ideal society. Through clever use of genetic engineering, brainwashing, and recreational sex and drugs, all its members are happy consumers. Bernard Marx seems alone harboring an ill-defined longing to break free. A visit to one of the few remaining Savage Reservations, where the old, imperfect life still continues, may be the cure for his distress…<br>
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New dystopian novels<br>
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The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken New Dystopias When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something frightening enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that got her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that had killed most of America’s children, but she and the others emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they could not control…<br>
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Matched by Allie Condie New Dystopias In the Society, officials decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die. Cassia has always trusted their choices. It’s hardly any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one…until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path no one else has ever dared follow…<br>
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Unwind by Neil Shusterman New Dystopias The Second Civil War was fought over reproductive rights. The chilling resolution: Life is inviolable from the moment of conception until age thirteen. Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, however, parents can have their child "unwound," whereby all of the child's organs are transplanted into different donors, so life doesn't technically end. Connor is too difficult for his parents to control. Risa, a ward of the state, is not worth enough to be kept alive. And Lev is a tithe, a child conceived and raised to be unwound. Together, they may have a chance to escape and to survive.<br>
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Directions: Culminating Activity Now that you are familiar with the dystopian genre and have read some plot summaries of a variety of novels, it is time to create your own plot summary of a new dystopian novel. The ideas and characters should be completely original and should be completely created by you. The plot summary must incorporate:
1. A futuristic setting
2. All five elements of plot
3. A protagonist and an antagonist
4. Two motifs<br>
