1. Science Fiction Sub-Genre
Dystopia
Science Fiction Sub-Genre

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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
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

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

7. 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

8. Recurring Themes…

9. 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

10. Questions the very meaning of humanity

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

12. Aggression and Intimidation
Means of Control
Aggression and Intimidation

13. Propaganda

14. Tyranny

15. Armed Conflict

16. Conformity/obedience/oppressive policies

17. 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

18. “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

19. “ Barren, silent, godless.”

20. Dystopic Films

22. Children of Men

24. 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.

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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

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

29. Remember, remember the fifth of November…

30. 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!

32. 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.

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

34. Baptism of pain
Reborn in rain

35. 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.

36. 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.

37. 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

38. 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.

39. Freedom Fighter or Terrorist?

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

42. 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

43. 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.

44. "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."

45. 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?

46. 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?