Dystopian Characteristics Traits and Character Dystopian Characteristics

Utopia Two Greek words: “oi” (not) and “topos” (place) = “nowhere” The word was created by Thomas More in 1516 when he wrote a book by that title Utopian refers to human efforts to create a hypothetically perfect society. It refers to good but impossible proposals – or at least ones that are difficult to carry out.

Utopian concepts A beautiful society with a general pacifistic attitude Poverty and misery are removed Very few laws are necessary Money is not necessary People do only work that they enjoy and which benefits the common good

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.

Dystopia Definition: A 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. Dystopian novels usually include elements of contemporary society. Dystopias, though exaggerated, make criticisms about current trends, social norms, and politics.

Characteristics of Dystopias Propaganda is used to control citizens Information, freedom, and independent thought are restricted. A figurehead and/or concept is worshipped by society. Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance. Citizens have a fear of the outside world. Citizens live in a dehumanized state. The natural world is banished and distrusted. Citizens conform to uniform expectations. Individuality and dissent is bad. The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world.

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. Bureaucratic Control: Society is controlled by a mindless bureaucracy through a tangle of red tape, relentless regulations, and incompetent government officials. Example includes Brazil.

Types of Dystopian Controls Technological Control: Society is controlled by technology through computers, robots and/or scientific means. Examples include The Terminator and I Robot. Philosophical/Religious Control: Society is controlled by philosophy or religious ideals often times through a dictatorship or theocratic government.

The Dystopian Protagonist Characteristics: Feels trapped and is trying to escape society’s oppressive forces Questions social and political norms Believes and feels that something is terribly wrong with the society he or she lives in. Helps the audience to see what is wrong with society through their experiences in the text.

Dystopia in the Making What if. . . No one had to go to school? You could have an iPod in your brain? Your computer could read your thoughts? No one had to pay taxes? Everyone was forced to have plastic surgery? Can you think of others?

http://peer.tamu.edu/NSF_Files/Dystopian%20Novels.ppt Former ppts from Mrs. Ma read.write.think worksheet