The growth rate of dystopian literature continuously increases throughout the year, but what makes a novel dystopian literature? In The Island directed by Michael Bay, “The Pedestrian” by Ray Bradbury, and Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, the characteristics of dystopian literature exhibit themselves as propaganda, restricted freedoms, and uniform expectations. Dystopian characteristics tell readers how to define a dystopian city, state, or country. Those three pieces of dystopian literature display one or more of those characteristics. Controls of a dystopian society, such as corporate, technological, bureaucratic, and philosophical, deal with what the city, state, or country goes by; in the works above, their governments use technological, …show more content…
The Island displays corporate control. A cloning company controls society through their products (the clones) and their advertisement of the island to the clones. “Stand still. Stay where you are! Don’t move!” (Bradbury 12); the talking cop car, which controls the society technologically, says this to Mr. Leonard Mead. In “The Pedestrian”, a technological control appears; Mr. Mead’s society displaced cop cars completely except for three of them and now the cars run on their own and control the city’s society. Finally, bureaucratic and technological government controls exist in Ender’s society. Bureaucratic control exhibits itself when the government controls each aspect of citizens’ lives (ex. only two kids), and technological control exhibits itself through the monitors and the desk the children received in battle school. Generally speaking, dystopian controls show how the governments control their citizens and why the society acts a certain …show more content…
These works contain characteristics of a dystopian society resembling Michael Bay’s society from The Island. Characteristics of a dystopian society define what a dystopian society resembles. Dystopian controls tell readers what rules guide citizens in those societies and who runs the society. The controls of a dystopian society occur throughout the works and give off an illusion of a “perfect” society. Lastly, each exquisite dystopian work of literature needs an exquisite dystopian protagonist similar to Ender from Ender’s Game or Mr. Mead from “The Pedestrian”. Most dystopian protagonists question their government, feel trapped inside their society, and want to show others the truth. Altogether, characteristics, controls, and protagonist of a dystopian society add depth to the plot and grab the readers’
Dystopia is common theme which dates hundreds of years in literature worldwide. Dystopian novels and short stories often depict a society repressed by a totalitarian government which comes to power after a cataclysmic occurrence, wielding unforgiving power and control over inhabitants for their own good. These dystopias are often perceived by the average citizen as a normal or unavoidable way of life, sometimes even a better way of life, yet there is often a single person or group of protagonists who question the justification of such living arrangements and threaten upheaval of the utopia sold by the ruling class.
The idea of being ruled by a totalitarian power has never ceased to scare an audience that fears of being controlled. It is in this case that we can establish from the reality we see today in certain countries, that we create our own story of how dystopian societies can many ways be seen. Dystopian societies in movies and novels have played a huge role in our lives, from: Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games, Alduous Huxley’s Brave New World and Lois Lowry’s The Giver. Cementing humanities faults by exploiting them through harsh ideals of suppressing power. But among those movies and novels and many more, two have resonated in our minds; not only mimicking what is seen today in Syria and North Korea, but also presenting foreshadow of what is possibly going to be. The film 1984 and the novel Fahrenheit 451 use fear and illusion to capture the horror of dystopian societies that use totalitarian power to control the masses.
In the dystopian worlds created by the film director Andrew Niccol and renowned author George Orwell, notions of control and freedom are explored. Both worlds contain an overarching power that governs the rest of the population and restricts freedom of individuals, these powers also aid in the progression of technology, which further act to control individuals. The characterisations of the protagonists of each text portray the lack of freedom from the perspective of those that are affected. Both authors use a variety of techniques to portray themes of control and freedom in their texts.
In this world what people often forget about that a human can do is cause mass destruction, things one should remember can be forgotten easily and just as fast as it came it leave, this can be seen in the books around us. Authors share their opinion through the words they write talking about society and how if we keep going the direction we are going we will find ourselves in deep trouble, the messages authors are trying to send can be seen through social commentary, many books have powerful messages behind them; especially in dystopian novels and movies. They show these messages through diction,syntax, imagery, and character development; for examples the books and movies; Fahrenheit 451, Incarceron, Wall-E, and Hunger games. The authors Ray Bradbury, Catherine Fisher, Andrew Stanton, and Suzanne Collins all convey a message through their works through syntax, diction, camera angles, and imagery; emphasizing their warnings of what they fear may happen.
humanity due to factors such as war, famine and poverty criticize current global issues while also
Dystopian societies starkly resemble our own. They emphasize the idea that if preventive measures are not taken now, there will be turmoil later. They serve as a reminder that if the weakness and passions of man are pursued, disorder will be fostered.
Dystopian literature has been described as fiction that shows a negative perspective without the limits of society and mankind. Utopian works ordinarily sketch a future in which innovation enhances the regular life of people and advances human
Dystopian societies are themes often used in writing. A dystopian society is the imbalance of power between certain citizens and the government exerting total control over those people. One such example is Hitler and his Nazi regime. If one were to analyze the data, one could examine decisions Adolf Hitler made in creating the dystopian society of Nazi Germany, and the impact those decisions had on the citizens at the time; additionally, a review of how authors use dystopian-themed stories as a means to educate readers about dystopia will be addressed.
In Ray Bradbury's works " Fahrenheit 451" and "The Pedestrian", both the individual and the society are affected by dystopian traits, such as brainwashing and implementation of ideologies, general ignorance throughout the society, and a severe lack of individuality.
Dystopias are a way to view our world from a different perspective. These dystopian stories can attract people in different ways, and for those who read these stories to engage them into a deeper thought about the lack of emotions in today’s society; coincide with the similarity among dystopian stories that illustrate repressed emotions, which can create a sense of insecurity, give different ideas of interactions, and mind opening overall.
Dystopian society is a way that this author shows what the future will be like when one person takes charge of a small large group. The elements of dystopian society in Divergent by Veronica Roth are limitations, corporate control, and the factions. The limitations presented in this story include the walls in which the city of Chicago is surrounded by; no one is allowed outside the fence. Another limitation is the factions, which are groups that you are put into based on your personality. You are given a test and one chance to choose a new faction that best fits your wants and needs and if you fail to choose or succeed in a faction, you become factionless. Factionless means that you don’t belong anywhere are are viewed publicly as a disgrace. The last element addressed in this story is corporate control.
Dystopian societies are a recurring theme among the works of many authors. It is difficult to predict the future, but authors such as Ray Bradbury and H.G. Wells have speculated possible scenarios for what lies ahead. Fahrenheit 451 and “Usher II” by Ray Bradbury and “The Country of the Blind” by H.G. Wells all depict events that result in chaos because of abuse of power and control. The three main characters of these compositions: Montag, Stendahl, and Nuñez are very similar yet greatly unique in many ways; they have controversial values, beliefs, philosophies, different views on society’s laws and they receive different consequences for their actions in the end.
Dystopia allows the reader to morph into a world of frightening “what if”s, and while the thought of dystopian societies might be repulsive, the imaginative concept is profound and full of depth. It is part of the human condition. Literature and videos can be amazing ways to absorb the feeling dystopia can cast on the reader, or viewer, because it takes you away from reality, but not completely beyond possibility. Dystopia is cathartic, allowing the person experiencing it to smile after realizing that it’s not actually true. Stories of dysfunctional governments that abuse and hinder development are a very intriguing topic, because it’s a realm that can be inspired by many true life events.. Authors take use of many different tactics to enhance their stories; such as imagery, character development, diction, and literary devices. Filmmakers use other methods to portray their ideas on a screen. Color,camera angles, music, mood, and lighting are all important factors that are taken into great consideration to obtain the desired outcome. In Fahrenheit 451, we are immersed into the world of Montag, and how censorship affects one’s life.. In 1984, George Orwell conveys an inspiring story of a self expressionistic
Dystopian novels have become more common over the last century; each ranging from one extreme society to the next. A 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,”[1] through an exaggerated worst-case scenario, criticizes about current trends, societal norms, or political systems. The society in Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is divided in a caste system, in which humans are not individuals, do not have the opportunity to be individuals, and never experience true happiness. These characteristics of the reading point towards a well-structured
Popular literature often reflects society’s beliefs and struggles, and dystopian fiction is once again gaining popularity. From Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro to Hulu’s reimagining of The Handmaid’s Tale, written by Margaret Atwood, and all the young adult dystopias in between, one does not have to search far to find a unique dystopian read. While every dystopia is different, these novels have similar characteristics that define their genre.