Characteristics of Dystopian Stories

Utopia v. Dystopia

Dystopia: A futuristic, imagined universe in which oppressive societal control gives the illusion of a perfect society

Dystopia

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.

Characteristics of Dystopias

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

Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance.

Characteristics, continued….

Citizens have a fear of the outside world.

Citizens live in a dehumanized state.

The natural world is banished and distrusted.

More characteristics…

Citizens conform to uniform expectations.

Individuality and dissent are bad.

The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world.

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 the audience recognizes the negative aspects of the dystopian world through his or her perspective.

Types of Dystopian Controls

Corporate control: One or more large corporations control society through products, advertising, and/or the media. Examples include Minority Report and Running Man.

Dystopian Controls…

Bureaucratic control: Society is controlled by government. Examples in film include Brazil.

Types of Dystopian Controls Con’td.

Technological control: Society is controlled by technology—through computers, robots, and/or scientific means. Examples include The Matrix, The Terminator, and I, Robot.

Dystopian Controls

Philosophical/religious control: Society is controlled by philosophical or religious ideology often enforced through a dictatorship or theocratic government.

Allusions

An allusion is a reference to something that exists outside the story.

“She was such a Scrooge.” –what does this allude to? What does it mean?

The Bible & Greek Mythology are two often alluded to pieces of literature

Prometheus & Gaea

In Greek mythology, Prometheus was a Titan, As he was only a minor Titan, incapable of much, When he saw the plight of the men upon the earth, and saw that they could be happier if they didn’t have to eat their meat raw or sleep in the cold, he took the gods’ sacred fire and brought it down from the mountaintop to the men. The condition of the men improved when they got the fire, but the gods, furious, punished Prometheus to lie forever on a mountain’s peak.

How does this relate to Equality?

Prometheus & Gaea

Gaea was also one of the old gods. She, however, was the Earth. She was the originator of life and reproduction, and the continuation of life. On her, the living things thrived.

How does this relate to the Liberty/The Golden One?

What’s up with the end?

“EGO”

• In Equality 7-2521's view, the ego is what gives meaning to the world, and what gives human beings a reason for living (their own happiness).