Symbolism In Dystopian Literature

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.

Dystopian DevicesWhen writing a novel, authors use distinct literary devices to aid in making the genre of their story apparent to their reader. Specifically, many use these literary devices to draw attention to details that establish a dystopian genre. A dystopia is somewhere where people lead dehumanized and fearful lives (Merriam-Webster). Furthermore, in dystopian societies, propaganda, societal oppression, and totalitarian control often elicit fear and obedience. An example of this is the novel 1984 written by George Orwell. This novel contains ambiguous symbols such as Big Brother, the Godlike ruler of Oceania. Aspects such as this contribute to the nature of dystopian genres. After analyzing concepts such as the all knowing Big Brother and the telescreens that are required by the government, the reader notices dystopian aspects. Accordingly, the setting of the city and symbols in everyday life expand the readers view of dystopian aspects. Orwell uses literary devices such as setting, symbolism, and euphemisms in order to portray a dystopian genre through the use of Big Brother, the city Oceania and its citizens, and other concepts in the novel. The government in 1984 controls its population by creating a setting where no one has the freedom to act without a someone watching them. The government does this by requiring all citizens of the Party to own a telescreen. By monitoring the activities of members of the party, the government can keep citizens obedient and

Anthem by Ayn Rand is a dystopian fiction novel about a time in the future where mankind has regressed in it’s advancements. The main character of the novel is Equality 7-2521. Equality is a curious boy who questions the society around him. It is because of his inquiry that he becomes ostracized from society and runs away with his friend. Equality character traits and the advancement of the plot are revealed through symbols throughout the book.Throughout the story Ayn Rand drops symbols that relate to the reveal of his character traits, and advancement of the plot.

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.

The two literary elements that help distinguish the works of a dystopia genre are symbolism and conflict. There is a lot of symbolism in the book Anthem. The book is filled with them. It is also filled with conflict. This also goes with the short story” Harrison Bergeron“this story also has a lot conflict in it.

In Anthem, a novel by Ayn Rand, depicts a dystopian society where people are categorized into groups and everyone is opposed to individuality. The individuality of ,the main character, Equality 7-2521 and his intrusiveness made him seen as an outcast by society and the council, which is seen through the selection of themes, characterization, major conflicts, and point of view.

A dystopian future is a place where society has lost all of its humanity. It is a place where the common man is struggling for survival and is constantly being oppressed by the authorities to the point where a person is on the edge of either giving up or giving in. When we think about some of the classic dystopian novels such as 1984, the giver or the handmaid’s tale, the central theme of all these novels revolves around oppression. In this novel the freedom of reading is taken away from people.

“Anthem”, a book written by Ayn Rand is a dystopian novella based on collectivist ideas. The story was written as a warning of communist Russia and other European regions around World War Two. In the society all individual rights are forgotten and forbidden by brainwashing people from birth to death to only think about everyone as one and not as individuals. No laughing, no smiling, and no loving however, like every dystopian story there is a “hero” someone that thinks and acts differently than the others, in this case that “hero” is none other than Equality 7-2521. Rand uses symbols such as light, names, and colors to place

“We are nothing. Mankind is all. By the grace of our brothers we are allowed our lives. We exist through, by and for our brothers who are the State. Amen” (Rand 21). This sentence is a good example of the themes and moods of most dystopian literature. Society and government has crumbled, and people are oppressed. There is usually one main character who wants to rebel, to stand against the oppression. Dystopian literature and film appeals to modern day teens. Dystopian literature shows teens possible scenarios of what life could be like if society and government fails. Usually the main character or ‘hero’ is a teen or a young adult; teens can relate. Teens are at crossroads; growing into an adult, making decisions

Through the dystopic texts of 1984 written by George Orwell and V for Vendetta directed by James McTeigue, the concept of a cautionary tale is portrayed by the dystopic qualities present in the highlighted texts. To which a dystopic text is an exploration of restrictive and controlling societies which reflect modern day concerns. To portray the texts as a warning story, Orwell and McTeigue give depictions of the dystopic qualities of their worlds, through the loss of independence and freedom and emphasise the importance of the individual through its loss in the dystopic societies.

Several conflicting frames of mind have played defining roles in shaping humanity throughout the twentieth century. Philosophical optimism of a bright future held by humanity in general was taken advantage of by the promise of a better life through sacrifice of individuality to the state. In the books Brave New World, 1984, and Fahrenheit 451 clear opposition to these subtle entrapments was voiced in similarly convincing ways. They first all established, to varying degrees of balance, the atmosphere and seductiveness of the “utopia” and the fear of the consequences of acting in the non-prescribed way through character development. A single character is alienated because of their inability to conform – often in protest to the forced

We are able to see that language in both the texts maintain the dystopian societies. However as well as authoritarian manipulation of language, the dystopian genre is created through the authors styles of writing.

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

Symbolism is a very important aspect of writing good literature. Symbolism can han have a major impact on a piece of literature, it can make a bad writing really interesting or it can make a good writing have a totally different meaning. Most readers miss the symbols the first time reading through the work and they don't get it until someone teaches them or if they read it again, sometimes the symbols are hard to detect in the story or poem, and other times they can be super easy to find such as a giant red A on your chest. In 1984 the many Symbol was pretty easy to figure out and a had a big meaning for part of the book which was really fascinating once you figured it out. Overall symbolism is very important and hopefully everyone who reads this will realize that.

Indeed, the best works of literature are those which are of relevance to our lives today. Through their relevance, these novels continue to persist and endure on. Through their relevance, we can better comprehend the messages, the themes, and the ideas that are imbued in them. Rather than literature being contradictory and in conflict with the truth and unpleasant reality of daily life, it becomes a weapon through which we can be educated about the existential crises facing our world today. In fact, the statement above could not be more far and distant from the reality of literature today. It is fatally flawed. Literature, whilst at the surface, seems whimsical and amusing is, at its very core, a medium through which we are enlightened