Dystopian Literature

Dystopian literature is seeing a surge in popularity lately especially in young adult fiction. Interest in this type of literature is not new or uncommon for adults but this is a fairly new trend in adolescent literature. This trend is likely due to the uncertain economic times in which we live. Young readers can relate to the characters. They can understand the fear and uncertainty represented in most dystopian literature. The great thing about dystopian literature for young adults is that the characters are not crushed and defeated but they face their challenges with strength and courage. They continue to work for what is right and hold on to their core values. They may struggle but ultimately they find strength to carry on and overcome whatever oppressive, tyrannical or harsh situation they may face. This makes dystopian literature a wonderful resource for helping students develop critical literacy skills. Dystopian literature can help students see new and different perspectives that they would not otherwise due to their limited life experience. Students can evaluate other people’s choices and behaviors through literature. This allows an objective view to sort out their feelings and thoughts about various situations or problems faced by the characters. Dystopian literature can be used to help improve student’s ability to actively read text in a manner that promotes a deeper understanding of socially constructed concepts; such as power, inequality, and injustice in human relationships.

 

Below is a handout to help explain dystopian fiction to your students:

what is dystopian fiction.docx (14,4 kB)

 

What exactly is Dystopian Literature?

Dystopia: 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.

 

Characteristics of Dystopian Literature:

        • 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 distrusted.

• Citizens conform to uniform expectations. Individuality and dissent are bad.

• The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world.

 

Most dystopian works present a world in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through one or more of the following types of controls:

• Corporate control: One or more large corporations control society through products, advertising, and/or the media.

• Technological control: Society is controlled by technology—through computers, robots, and/or scientific means.

• Philosophical/religious control: Society is controlled by philosophical or religious ideology often enforced through a dictatorship or theocratic government.

 

The Dystopian Protagonist

• often feels trapped and is struggling to escape.

• questions the existing social and political systems.

• believes or feels that something is terribly wrong with the society in which he or she lives.

• helps the audience recognizes the negative aspects of the dystopian world through his or her perspective.

 

Credit

 https://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson926/DefinitionCharacteristics.pdf