Dystopia English IV

Dystopia A dystopia is a fictional society, usually portrayed as existing in a future time, when the conditions of life are extremely bad due to deprivation, oppression, or terror. A dystopia is a fictional society, usually portrayed as existing in a future time, when the conditions of life are extremely bad due to deprivation, oppression, or terror. Science fiction, particularly post-apocalyptic science fiction and cyberpunk, often feature dystopias. Science fiction, particularly post-apocalyptic science fiction and cyberpunk, often feature dystopias.

Most dystopian fiction takes place in the future but often purposely incorporates contemporary social trends taken to extremes. Most dystopian fiction takes place in the future but often purposely incorporates contemporary social trends taken to extremes. Dystopias are frequently written as warnings, or as satires, showing current trends extrapolated to a nightmarish conclusion. Dystopias are frequently written as warnings, or as satires, showing current trends extrapolated to a nightmarish conclusion.

Social critics, especially postmodern social critics, also use the term "dystopian" to condemn trends in post-industrial society they see as negative. In most dystopian fiction, a corrupt government creates or sustains the poor quality of life, often conditioning the masses to believe the society is proper and just, even perfect. Social critics, especially postmodern social critics, also use the term "dystopian" to condemn trends in post-industrial society they see as negative. In most dystopian fiction, a corrupt government creates or sustains the poor quality of life, often conditioning the masses to believe the society is proper and just, even perfect.

Etymology According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term was coined in the late 19th century by British philosopher John Stuart Mill, who also used Jeremy Bentham's synonym, cacotopia. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term was coined in the late 19th century by British philosopher John Stuart Mill, who also used Jeremy Bentham's synonym, cacotopia. The prefix caco means "the worst." Both words were created to contrast utopia, a word coined by Sir Thomas More to describing an ideal place or society. Utopia combined the Greek-derived eu ("good") + topos ("place"). The prefix caco means "the worst." Both words were created to contrast utopia, a word coined by Sir Thomas More to describing an ideal place or society. Utopia combined the Greek-derived eu ("good") + topos ("place").

Dystopia combined the dys, Greek word for "bad" or "negative" with topos. Thus, meaning "bad place". As some writers have noted, however, the difference between a Utopia and a Dystopia can often lie in the visitor's point of view: one person's heaven can be another's hell. Dystopia combined the dys, Greek word for "bad" or "negative" with topos. Thus, meaning "bad place". As some writers have noted, however, the difference between a Utopia and a Dystopia can often lie in the visitor's point of view: one person's heaven can be another's hell.

Common Traits of Dystopian Fiction 1. a hierarchical society where divisions between the upper, middle and lower class are definitive and unbending (Caste system) 1. a hierarchical society where divisions between the upper, middle and lower class are definitive and unbending (Caste system) 2. a nation-state ruled by an upper class with few democratic idealsstate propaganda programs and educational systems that coerce most citizens into worshipping the state and its government, in an attempt to convince them into thinking that life under the regime is good and just 2. a nation-state ruled by an upper class with few democratic idealsstate propaganda programs and educational systems that coerce most citizens into worshipping the state and its government, in an attempt to convince them into thinking that life under the regime is good and just

3. strict conformity among citizens and the general assumption that dissent and individuality are bad 3. strict conformity among citizens and the general assumption that dissent and individuality are bad 4. a fictional state figurehead that people worship fanatically through a vast personality cult, such as 1984’s Big Brother or We's The Benefactor 4. a fictional state figurehead that people worship fanatically through a vast personality cult, such as 1984’s Big Brother or We's The BenefactorWe's The BenefactorWe's The Benefactor 5. a fear or disgust of the world outside the state 5. a fear or disgust of the world outside the state

6. a common view of traditional life, particularly organized religion, as primitive and nonsensical 6. a common view of traditional life, particularly organized religion, as primitive and nonsensical 7. a penal system that lacks due process laws and often employs psychological or physical torture 7. a penal system that lacks due process laws and often employs psychological or physical torture 8. constant surveillance by state police agencies 8. constant surveillance by state police agencies 9. the banishment of the natural world from daily life 9. the banishment of the natural world from daily life

10. a back story of a natural disaster, war, revolution, uprising, spike in overpopulation or some other climactic event which resulted in dramatic changes to society 10. a back story of a natural disaster, war, revolution, uprising, spike in overpopulation or some other climactic event which resulted in dramatic changes to society 11. a standard of living among the lower and middle class that is generally poorer than in contemporary society 11. a standard of living among the lower and middle class that is generally poorer than in contemporary society 12. a protagonist who questions the society, often feeling intrinsically that something is terribly wrong 12. a protagonist who questions the society, often feeling intrinsically that something is terribly wrong

Because dystopian literature takes place in the future, it often features technology more advanced than that of contemporary society. Because dystopian literature takes place in the future, it often features technology more advanced than that of contemporary society. To have an effect on the reader, dystopian fiction typically has one other trait: familiarity. It is not enough to show people living in a society that seems unpleasant. The society must have echoes of today, of the reader's own experience. If the reader can identify the patterns or trends that would lead to the dystopia, it becomes a more involving and effective experience. To have an effect on the reader, dystopian fiction typically has one other trait: familiarity. It is not enough to show people living in a society that seems unpleasant. The society must have echoes of today, of the reader's own experience. If the reader can identify the patterns or trends that would lead to the dystopia, it becomes a more involving and effective experience.