Definition dys-/dus- (Latin/Greek roots: 'bad' or 'abnormal') + - topos (Greek root: 'place') = 'bad place' eu- (Greek root: 'good') / ou- (Greek root: 'not') + - topos (Greek root: 'place') = 'good/no place' dystopia n. an imaginary wretched place, the opposite of utopia utopia n. a place or state of ideal perfection, the opposite of dystopia

Definition Check: Utopian A Utopia is a place, state or condition that is ideally perfect in respect of politics, laws, customs, and conditions.

Definition Check: Utopian It refers to good but impossible proposals - or at least ones that are difficult to carry out. Utopian refers to human efforts to create a hypothetically perfect society.

Examples of Utopian Novels Utopia by Thomas More Erewhon by Samuel Butler A Modern Utopia by H.G. Wells Island by Aldous Huxley

Dystopian versus Utopian Dystopian is the opposite of utopian; it is often a utopia gone sour, an imaginary place or state where everything is as bad as it could possibly be.

Dystopian Novels Dystopian novels usually include elements of contemporary society and are seen as a warning against some modern trend. Writers use them as cautionary tales, in which humankind is put into a society that may look inviting on the surface but in reality, is a nightmare.

Examples of Dystopian Novels 1984 Brave New World Fahrenheit 451 A Clockwork Orange Animal Farm The Time Machine The Handmaiden’s Tale The Hunger Games

timeline-to-the-hunger-games-infographic 1984 The Hunger Games Brave New World Fahrenheit 451 A Clockwor k Orange The Handmaiden’s Tale Divergent

Dystopian Protagonist Feels trapped and struggles to escape. Questions the existing social and political systems. Believes or feels something is terribly wrong with his/her society. Helps audience recognize negative aspects of dystopian world through his/her perspective.

Dystopia Defined Futuristic, imagined universe in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through corporate, bureaucratic, technological, moral, or totalitarian control. Dystopias, through an exaggerated worst-case scenario, offer criticism of a current trend, societal norm, or political system.

A Clockwork Orange

Characteristics of Dystopian Society Natural world banished or distrusted. Conformity for all – individuality and dissidence is considered bad. Society is illusion of perfect utopian world.

Characteristics of Dystopian Society Propaganda used to control citizens. Information, independent thought, freedom restricted. A figurehead or concept worshipped by citizens.

Animal Farm

Characteristics of Dystopian Society Fear of the outside world. Dehumanized state of living.

District 9

Types of Control Oppressive societal control and illusion of perfect society maintained by: Corporate control: maintained through advertising, products, media.Examples include Minority Report and Running Man. Bureaucratic control: mindless bureaucracy through red tape, relentless regulations, incompetent government officials. Examples in film include Brazil.

The Hunger Games

Types of Control Technological control: Society controlled by technology— through computers, robots, and/or scientific means. Examples include The Matrix, The Terminator, and I, Robot. Philosophical/religious control: Society controlled by philosophical or religious ideology often enforced through a dictatorship or theocratic government.

The Matrix