the list dystopia Flashcards

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Control of Language
Core Premise: The society of Ark limits its citizens to using only a set list of 500 sanctioned words.
Dystopian Element: By controlling language, the government restricts free thought and expression. Without the ability to articulate complex ideas, individuality and dissent are suppressed, creating a compliant and controlled populace.
2. Loss of Individual Freedom
Core Premise: People are forbidden from using words outside of the approved list, and creative thinking is discouraged.
Dystopian Element: This extreme form of censorship and regulation strips individuals of autonomy and the ability to question authority, leading to a homogenized society.
3. Centralized Power and Oppression
Core Premise: The Ark is ruled by a leader, the Wordsmith, and other authorities who enforce strict rules.
Dystopian Element: Power is concentrated in the hands of a few who dictate every aspect of life. This authoritarian control mirrors dystopian fears of totalitarian regimes.
4. Dehumanization
Core Premise: The loss of language diminishes what makes humans unique—self-expression, creativity, and connection.
Dystopian Element: Citizens are treated more like tools for survival than as individuals with thoughts and emotions, eroding their humanity.
5. Survival at the Cost of Morality
Core Premise: The Ark was created to ensure humanity’s survival after environmental collapse, but this goal comes at the expense of ethical behavior, freedom, and culture.
Dystopian Element: Dystopian societies often justify oppression and control in the name of a greater good, as seen in The List.
6. Rebellion and Resistance
Core Premise: Letta, the protagonist and an apprentice Wordsmith, begins to question the system and ultimately resists the restrictions on language.
Dystopian Element: Dystopias often feature characters who challenge the status quo, exposing the cracks in the oppressive system and fighting for freedom or change.
7. Environmental Collapse and Scarcity
Core Premise: The Ark is a haven created in response to a climate catastrophe, which devastated the planet.
Dystopian Element: The setting reflects a common dystopian theme of environmental degradation, showing how resource scarcity exacerbates authoritarian control and inequality.

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