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Dystopian Narratives and Heros

Dystopian Narratives and Heros. In Fiction, and In Fact. Definition of a Dystopian Society (notes). An imagined universe in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through totalitarian control.

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Dystopian Narratives and Heros

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  1. Dystopian Narratives and Heros In Fiction, and In Fact

  2. Definition of a Dystopian Society (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. First, Second, and Third Worlds (post wwii – fall of the USSR)

  4. Orwell’s 1984

  5. Characteristics Often Found in a Dystopian Society (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 Dystopia Narrative (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. Dystopias in Fiction • 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. Dystopias in the Real World? The Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea (DPRNK)

  9. North Korea • 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. Famine • 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. Human 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. A cult of personality arises when an individual uses mass media, propaganda, or other methods, to create an idealized and heroic public image Cult of Personality

  13. More Cults of Personality

  14. More Cults of Personality

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