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Dystopian Novels. Definition. dys-/dus- (Latin/Greek roots: 'bad' or 'abnormal') + -topos ( Greek root: 'place') = 'bad place' eu- (Greek root: 'good') / ou- (Greek root: 'not') + -topos (Greek root: 'place') = 'good/no place'
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Definition • dys-/dus- (Latin/Greek roots: 'bad' or 'abnormal') + -topos (Greek root: 'place') = 'bad place' • eu- (Greek root: 'good') / ou- (Greek root: 'not') + -topos (Greek root: 'place') = 'good/no place' • dystopian. an imaginary wretched place, the opposite of utopia • utopian. a place or state of ideal perfection, the opposite of dystopia
Definition Check: Utopian • A Utopia is a place, state or condition that is ideally perfect in respect of politics, laws, customs, and conditions.
Definition Check: Utopian • It refers to good but impossible proposals - or at least ones that are difficult to carry out. Utopian refers to human efforts to create a hypothetically perfect society.
Examples of Utopian Novels • Utopia by Thomas More • Erewhon by Samuel Butler • A Modern Utopia by H.G. Wells • Island by Aldous Huxley
Dystopian versus Utopian • 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.
Dystopian Novels • Dystopian novels usually include elements of contemporary society and are seen as a warning against some modern trend. • 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 • The Handmaiden’s Tale • The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games 1984 Brave New World Fahrenheit 451 The Handmaiden’s Tale A Clockwork Orange Divergent http://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/351-the-dystopian-timeline-to-the-hunger-games-infographic
Dystopian Protagonist • Feels trapped and struggles to escape. • Questions the existing social and political systems. • Believes or feels something is terribly wrong with his/her society. • Helps audience recognize negative aspects of dystopian world through his/her perspective.
Dystopia Defined • 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, offer criticism of a current trend, societal norm, or political system.
Characteristics of Dystopian Society • Natural world banished or distrusted. • Conformity for all – individuality and dissidence is considered bad. • Society is illusion of perfect utopian world.
Characteristics of Dystopian Society • Propaganda used to control citizens. • Information, independent thought, freedom restricted. • A figurehead or concept worshipped by citizens.
Characteristics of Dystopian Society • Fear of the outside world. • Dehumanized state of living.
Types of Control Oppressive societal control and illusion of perfect society maintained by: Corporate control: maintained through advertising, products, media.Examples include Minority Report and Running Man. Bureaucratic control: mindless bureaucracy through red tape, relentless regulations, incompetent government officials. Examples in film include Brazil.
Types of Control Technological control: Society controlled by technology—through computers, robots, and/or scientific means. Examples include The Matrix, The Terminator, and I, Robot. Philosophical/religious control: Society controlled by philosophical or religious ideology often enforced through a dictatorship or theocratic government.