1. Characteristics of Dystopian Literature
Intro to genre & 4 corners

2. Dystopia Dys = bad Topia = place What’s the opposite of a dystopia?
What other words can you come up with that have these roots in them?

3. Dystopia
In literature, a dystopia is 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. Dystopias, through an exaggerated worst-case scenario, make a criticism about a current trend, societal norm, or political system.
Through exaggeration, dystopias expose truths/criticism of our own society.
Oppressive = tyrannical
- In what ways does the world of the hunger games resemble our world today? What extremes are exaggerated for effect?

4. Characteristics of Dystopian Society
Propaganda is used to control the citizens of society
Information, independent thought, and freedom are restricted
Turn to your table partner and point to an example of this in The Hunger Games.

5. Characteristics of Dystopian Society
A figurehead or concept is worshipped by the citizens of the society
Name the figurehead or concept that is worshipped by the society in Hunger Games.

6. Characteristics of Dystopian Society
Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance
Turn to your table partner and point to an example of this in The Hunger Games.

7. Characteristics of Dystopian Society
Citizens live in fear of the outside world
The natural world is banished and distrusted
Give example of Hunger Games, capitol is so removed from nature. To hunt, Katniss has to go beyond the premises of the area she’s supposed to be in.

8. Characteristics of Dystopian Society
Citizens live in a dehumanized state

9. Characteristics of Dystopian Society
Citizens conform to uniform expectations. Individuality and dissent are bad.

10. Characteristics of Dystopian Society
Society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world.
Everyone pretends to think everything is okay. People live blindly, not seeing the truth.

11. Read each of the following value statements silently
Read each of the following value statements silently. After taking a few seconds to think about it…
Do you agree with the statement?
Why?

12. Young adults crave stories of broken societies because they are aware that their own world is falling apart

13. Teenagers who love dystopian themes are the ones who don’t have to face them. Teenagers wouldn’t enjoy dark fiction if they lived in a culture where violent death was a major concern.

14. Fear is necessary for society
Fear is necessary for society. Without fear of punishment, most people would not follow society’s rules.

15. Schools are places where teens are subject to dress codes, have few free speech rights, are constantly under surveillance, where they sit and rise at the sound of the bell.

16. Surveillance keeps us safe
Surveillance keeps us safe. The only people who need to worry about it are criminals.

17. Surveillance is a violation of privacy and personal freedom.