Utopian Vs. Dystopian Societies

6 Basic questions all societies must answer: human questionsbasic issues 1) Why are we here?Goals & objectives 2) Who's running things?Power & authority 3) Who does this belong to?Ownership & property 4) Who's going to do that?Work & sustenance 5) Who can I marry?Love, & family relations 6) Why don't they agree with us? Dissent & deviance From

Defining Utopia An ideal place (everyone lives in peace and harmony) that does not exist in reality. A place, state, or condition that is ideally “perfect” in respect of: Politics Laws Customs Conditions Values and beliefs Eu - a prefix from Greek meaning good. Ou - a prefix from Greek meaning not. Topia - a root from Greek meaning place.

American Values and Ideals Why did Pilgrims come to America? Enlightenment Values Enlightened Self- Interest The Pursuit of Happiness Self-Determination Expansionism

Utopian Societies in Literature: Usually set in an isolated place An optimistic view of the future The story is developed by following the principles, or “rules”, of that place In the place, there is a “ruling class” Tragic development occurs in contrast with reader’s expectations

Dystopia The antonym of utopia An imaginary place where people lead dehumanized and often fearful lives A pessimistic view of the future

Dystopian Concepts A Dystopia may have: Totalitarian dictatorship What does totalitarian mean? –It refers to a society in which nearly every aspect of public and private behavior is regulated by the government. “Big Brother” Glorification and justification of violence Technology replaces humanity Negative social trends are taken to nightmarish extremes

Dystopian Societies in Literature: –Division among classes, lower, middle, and upper, that cannot be broken Often involving a “Caste System” –Propaganda and educational systems strive to preserve this “Caste System” and the rules of the society –Cancellation of individuality –A presence of “symbols” meant to maintain rules and order –Constant surveillance –Advanced technology –A protagonist that questions the society –Set in the future but resembles contemporary society –Often a comment on our own current society

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 had plastic surgery? Babies were scientifically created? Advanced science and technology could abolish suffering and death? This is a Dystopia in the making!

Gattaca (1997) Genetic Discrimination Concerns of reproductive technologies Destiny Dystopian Movies

I, Robot (2004) Man vs. Machine Humanoid Robotics Advancement of Technology Dystopian Movies

Wall-E Fahrenheit 451 Minority ReportChildren of Men The Matrix The Stepford Wives Other Dystopian films:

More Dystopian films: The Hunger Games Idiocracy V For Vendetta I am Legend Pleasantville

On the back of your Concept Definition Map, draw a Venn Diagram… Utopia vs. Dystopia- –How are they the same, and how are they different?