Dystopian Literature Flashcards
what are the common characteristics of dystopian literature?
an undesirable or dark vision of the future
dehumanization or an oppressive environment
questioning of society
warning readers about our own society
paranoia and suspicion about the differences between good and evil.
an attempt to achieve an utopian society which goes awry
a rebellion against the dystopian structure
questioning of science or technology, rational approach to solving issues of society
extreme interpretation of laws
setting is a dark vision of the future there may be suggestions of an archaic society.
what are the types of dystopian controls?
Corporate control- one or more large corporations will control society.
Bureaucratic control- society is controlled by mindless bureaucracy.
Technological control- society is controlled by society
philosophical/ religious control- society is enforced by this kind of ideology, this may be present by a dictatorship.
what makes a novel dystopian?
backstory- this will explain how the shift in control will take place, this is because a dystopia will often be set in a fictional setting.
Conflict- the hero may meet a person who represents the dystopia, the hero may be helped by people who are also trying to bring down the dystopia.
Society- a dystopian society will impose severe social restrictions on the people that live within the dystopia. There may be an absence of social groups other than the “state”. There may be hostility towards the family and motherhood.
Climax- there may often be no resole in a dystopia or the hero may escape the society.
what types of hero’s are present in a dystopia?
The protagonist who feels that something is wrong with society and will want to change it, they will often want to take actions such as overthrowing the government. Their opinion will often hugely differ to those around them.
There may also be the high-standing hero who represent the utopian section of society, yet they will soon realize how wrong the society is and will want to change it- Montag?
It is these hero’s who will display just how harmful the dystopian society is.
what are the common settings of a dystopia?
They will often take place in the future, dystopian fiction is often about tomorrow.
They are always imaginary and their purpose is to raise questions.
what are the common themes in a dystopia?
The key theme has always been oppression and rebellion, dystopian novels will represent studies of survival.
The citizens within a dystopia will often be paranoid and egotistical. They will experience a profound feeling of being monitored, shadowed, chased and monitored.
The factors that will trigger the paranoia may either be evident or not, it is this that will create a fearful atmosphere. It is this that will mean that dystopian hero’s are often dehumanized.
In a dystopian society there is a borderline between where is/isn’t humanity.
what are the common aesthetics of a dystopia?
They will take place in a landscape that will diminish people for example a big city. They will often be battered and worn-out, they will be visually obtrusive.
The environment will emphasize the message, dystopian characters are isolated from the real world.
Shirley Jackson The lottery?
this would relate to death and how weak an individual can be when they are used against you.
The use of the third person will provide some detachment.
Never let me go?
Failed education system, lack of individualism and the prevalence of illness. The use of an innocent setting. first person view point
1984, George Orwell?
This would would be a political novel that would indicate the dangers of the west. There would be the common dystopian theme of technology which would fail the people.
Third person attached
Oryx and Crake
This would explore the theme of extinction where humanity has been removed. There is the environmental impact.
third person attached
The pedestrian, Ray Bradbury?
This would be the dystopian story of a man who would be questioned by the police simply for walking down the street.
third person attached
Blood child by Octavia E. Spencer?
This would relate to the theme of interdependence and a coming of age.
This would also relate to being a hero.
3rd person attached?
The martian Chronicles
This would feature the colonisation of mars, they will encounter apopolyptic events.
