1. D YSTOPIAN N ARRATIVES AND H EROS In Fiction, and In Fact

2. D EFINITION OF A D YSTOPIAN S OCIETY ( NOTES ) An imagined universe in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through totalitarian control. Dystopias, through an exaggerated worst-case scenario, make a criticism about a current trend, societal norm, or political system. Cautionary Tales

3. F IRST, S ECOND, AND T HIRD W ORLDS ( POST WWII – FALL OF THE USSR)

4. O RWELL ’ S 1984

5. C HARACTERISTICS O FTEN F OUND IN A D YSTOPIAN S OCIETY ( NOTES ) Propaganda is used to control the citizens of society. Information, independent thought, and freedom are restricted. A figurehead or concept is worshipped by the citizens of the 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/or distrusted. Citizens conform to uniform expectations. Individuality and dissent are bad. The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world.

6. A D YSTOPIA N ARRATIVE ( NOTES ) Back Story – A fictional universe that must be told which provides an event in which society changes, often bringing totalitarian control Hero – Usually a character within that society that finds some fault; however, he/she can be from outside the society, yet they receive no assistance from the dystopian society Conflict – The hero’s conflict comes before a representative/figure of the dystopia; usually there is a society outside of the dystopia that the hero put his/her hope in Climax/Denouement – The goal is to escape or destroy the dystopia, yet often the narrative is unresolved; sometimes, the hero is unable to change the society or conforms to the society

7. D YSTOPIAS IN F ICTION 1984 Harrison Bergeron Lord of the Flies (even though it isn’t sci-fi) Escape from New York/LA The Matrix Movies Minority Report V for Vendetta Repo! The Genetic Opera

8. D YSTOPIAS IN THE R EAL W ORLD ? The Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea (DPRNK)

9. N ORTH K OREA A single-party state – Korean Workers’ Party Kim-Il Sung – “Eternal President” Ruled DPRNK from 1948-1993 In the same period of time, the US had 9 different presidents! Designated by the country’s constitution as “Eternal President” after his death in ‘94 Kim Jong-Il Son of Sung Basically Sung’s successor (although technically Sung is STILL president) Kim Jong-Un Heir presumptive of DPRNK and son of Kim Jong-Il (means that if Jong-Il dies or decides to step down, he’s the man)

10. F AMINE Juche – Philosophy of Communist Self- Sufficiency Sung’s version of INGSOC In reality, NK Economy was reliant on trade with USSR When USSR collapsed, disaster for NK economy/industry This, in combination with heavy drought, led to massive starvation in the 90’s Over 2 million people starved to death. NK has not yet recovered from this. However they (Jong-Il) requested food aid stop in 2001.

11. H UMAN RIGHTS Access to information Lots of news sources, all owned by the state No access to foreign news Internet? INTRAnet! Kwangmyong: domestic news, an e-mail service and censored information from foreign websites (mostly scientific) Police State Secret prisons, torture, medical experiments, rape, etc., according to defectors Estimated 150,000 – 200,000 inmates

12. C ULT OF P ERSONALITY A cult of personality arises when an individual uses mass media, propaganda, or other methods, to create an idealized and heroic public image

13. M ORE C ULTS OF P ERSONALITY