Science Fiction Sub-Genre Dystopia Science Fiction Sub-Genre

Defining Science Fiction ‘A good science-fiction story is a story about human beings, with a human problem, and a human solution, which would not have happened at all without its science content.’ Theodore Sturgeon ‘Realistic speculation about possible future events, based solidly on adequate knowledge of the real world, past and present, and on a thorough understanding of the nature and significance of the scientific method.’ Robert A. Heinlein ‘SF eases the 'willing suspension of disbelief’ of readers by developing an atmosphere of scientific credibility for its imaginative speculations in physical science, space, time, social science, and philosophy.’ Sam Moskowitz

The Science fiction Genre is... dynamic in form, and ever- changing a combination of what is familiar and what is new marked by diversity and hybridisation value-laden rather than neutral revisionist, re-interpretive or subversive flexible rather than rigid, making use of typical conventions but without set parameters

What is Dystopian Fiction? Dystopia: worst of all possible worlds Explores the fears and neurosis of the period in which it is written Themes often linked to dehumanisation and social oppression

Definition Check: Utopian Utopian refers to human efforts to create a hypothetically perfect society. 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. 7th Grade English TEKS 7.12. Characteristics of Genres A) Identify the purposes of different types of texts B) Recognize the distinguishing features of genres 7.11. Literary Response B) Interpret text ideas through varied means D) Connect, compare, and contrast ideas, themes, and issues in texts 7th Grade Social Studies TEKS 7.21. Critical Thinking Skills B) Analyze information using various methods D) Identify points of view from the historical context and frame of reference Image obtained from Thomas Morus’s book Utopia by Johann Froben in 1518

Dystopic Texts… Paint a bleak but credible view of the future

Genre Characteristics Setting in an alternate time and/or space Technologically advanced to the point of hyper-alienation of/from human beings Centralized government Infotainment/media used to sustain compliant and apathetic population Protagonist rebels against this alienation Science replaces ethics Machiavellian: power is an end in itself

Recurring Themes…

Freedom v. Oppression Survival in a post apocalyptic environment Good v. Evil Technology used to strengthen power base Abuse of civil and/or gender rights Autocratic government control Surveillance and the erosion of privacy Censorship, media control Loss of individuality Terror used as a tool for social control "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.“ Albert Einstein 9

Questions the very meaning of humanity

Unchecked Science Lack of ethical restrictions Abuse of scientific and technological power

Aggression and Intimidation Means of Control Aggression and Intimidation

Propaganda

Tyranny

Armed Conflict

Conformity/obedience/oppressive policies

Examples of Dystopian Novels 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

“No man and no force can take from the world the books that embody man’s eternal fight against tyranny. In this war, we know, books are weapons.” - FDR

“ Barren, silent, godless.”

Dystopic Films

Children of Men

Background Guy Fawkes tried to blow up Parliament on Nov 5, 1605 (Gunpowder Treason) Government protestor acting alone (like V) Member of a Catholic conspiratorial group who believed that destroying a symbol of power would change the nation’s political direction and lesson religious persecution.

Overview V for Vendetta deals with issues of race, sexuality, religion, totalitarianism, and terrorism. Its controversial story line and themes have made it the target of both criticism and praise from socio-political groups. It shows a dystopian world where political power is above individual rights and freedoms and where people are oppressed in the name of unity and national survival.

Our first encounter with V shows us that this is not only a bizarre-looking fellow, but a superbly articulate vigilante. His opening montage is a wonder. Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of Fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is it vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished, as the once vital voice of the verisimilitude now venerates what they once vilified. However, this valorous visitation of a by-gone vexation, stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin van-guarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition. The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose vis-à-vis an introduction, and so it is my very good honor to meet you and you may call me V.

V: It is to Madame Justice that I dedicate this concerto Main characters - V The man in the mask. Passionate about art, literature and music but more importantly, believes in freedom and the overview of the current, corrupt and dictatorial government V: It is to Madame Justice that I dedicate this concerto

V For Vendetta V: People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people

Remember, remember the fifth of November…

The thirst for retribution! V: That's it! See, at first I thought it was hate, too. Hate was all I knew, it built my world, it imprisoned me, taught me how to eat, how to drink, how to breathe. I thought I'd die with all my hate in my veins. But then something happened. It happened to me... just as it happened to you The thirst for retribution!

Words offer the means to meaning, and for those who will listen, the enunciation of truth. And the truth is, there is something terribly wrong with this country, isn't there? Cruelty and injustice, intolerance and oppression. And where once you had the freedom to object, to think and speak as you saw fit, you now have censors and systems of surveillance coercing your conformity and soliciting your submission.

Main characters- Evey Young girl whose parents were imprisoned Is ambitious but fears standing out Has few friends and works for BTN

Baptism of pain Reborn in rain

Main characters- Chancellor Sutler High Chancellor of England Gained power in a coup-virtual dictator Dirty politics behind his rise Linked to Three Waters and St Mary’s deaths Has large secret service and controls everything Sutler: Gentlemen, I want this terrorist found... and I want him to understand what *terror* really means.

Main characters – Mr Creedy Head of secret police called ‘fingermen’ Ambitious and ruthless “ a man seemingly without a conscience, for whom the end always justifies the means” - V V: Beneath this mask there is more than flesh. Beneath this mask there is an idea, Mr. Creedy, and ideas are bulletproof.

Chief Inspector of Norsefire – the party that rules England Ordered by chancellor Sutler to track down V Fair but pragmatic Lonely Begins to uncover unpalatable truths Believes in justice

The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous.

Freedom Fighter or Terrorist?

A masterful planner – each detailed carefully orchestrated to achieve retribution and social justice

V:. A building is a symbol, as is the act of destroying it V: ...A building is a symbol, as is the act of destroying it. Symbols are given power by people. A symbol, in and of itself is powerless, but with enough people behind it, blowing up a building can change the world

Role of the Media Various media are used to move the story line forward: TV news reports, some created as the story progresses, some as archival research. TV shows as a means of diversion Multiple televisions dominating everyone’s attention Public music on the speakers in the London streets. Lewis Prothero’s TV commentaries. Newspaper headlines and archives. Computer archives. Tax records. Surveillance camera images. Gordon Deitrich’s TV show.

"Beneath this mask there is more than flesh "Beneath this mask there is more than flesh... Beneath this mask there is an idea, Mr. Creedy, and ideas are bulletproof."

Over to You… Using class discussion and first impressions of ‘V for Vendetta’ answer the following questions: Identify at least six features of a dystopic society In what ways are dystopic texts cautionary tales? What can trigger a composer’s choice of the dystopic form? Discuss the key themes that are developed within ‘V for Vendetta’. What do you think the composer wants the audience to take away from viewing the film?

Discussion Questions The totalitarian Britain depicted in the film clearly needs reform. Is violence a necessary tool for instigating change in such a society? What's the difference between a terrorist and a revolutionary? Can we differentiate between situations justifying the use of violence and those where non-violent civil disobedience can cause positive change?