what is utopia ?
Post on 30-Dec-2015
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What is UTOPIA ?
•An ideal society•Based on notions of equality, social harmony, economic prosperity, and political stability
Word Origin
• Combination of two Greek words and literally means “no place”
• When pronounced in Latin means “good place”
• Combination of these two meanings informs the way we currently view the word: a place that doesn’t exist and also an ideal place that we can create
Definition of Dystopia
• In its most basic sense the opposite of utopia
• Fictional societies that are incredibly imperfect
• But… not exactly opposite, in that dystopias may contain many of the same elements as utopias- such as intense measures of social control- but these measures are taken to horrific extremes
More Dystopia…
• Subset of anti utopian writing, which satirizes utopian thinking
• Dystopia offers some kind of warning of what will happen should present trends continue.
Characteristics of Dystopian Society
• Propaganda is used to control citizens.
• Information, independent thought, and freedom are restricted.
• A figurehead is worshipped by the citizens.
• Citizens are under constant surveillance.
• Citizens have fear of the outside world.
• The natural world is banished and distrusted.
Characteristics continued…
• Citizens conform to uniform expectations. individuality and dissent are bad.
• The society is the illusion of a perfect utopian world.
The Protagonist in a Dystopia
• 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;
• Helps the audience recognize the negative aspects of the dystopian world.
Examples of Dystopian Fiction
• 1984 by George Orwell
• Brave New World- Huxley
• Blade Runner
• Minority Report
• The Matrix
• I, Robot
• The Hunger Games
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