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Common elements of dystopian literature

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kat pullig

on 5 October 2015

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Transcript of Common elements of dystopian literature

Common Elements of Dystopian Literature
Simone Josey, Jane Haracz, Louis Speziale, Katherine Pullig, Alex Lutz , Sanaa Baker-Fleming, K-Vonn Cramer
Dystopian literature is the creation of a horrible or corrupt world in the future. It is the opposite of Utopia, which is a perfect society, when Dystopia is a community or society which can come across as frightening. It can be described as a cross between science fiction and speculative fiction (supernatural elements).
What is Dystopian Literature
Authors in dystopian literature often use imagery, tragedy, suspense and a prologue. Imagery is used to provide the readers a picture while reading. This is done by using specific descriptive words. Tragedy is used for the readers to get close to the characters, feeling the pain that those in the story also feel. Suspense keeps the reader close to the book making them want to continue to read more. Last but most definitely not least a prologue is included so that the readers can get a pre-story of what happened before the destruction/ change of the city.
Literary Devices Authors in Dystopian Literature Often Use
Back Story- How did the society come about?

Dystopian Protagonist- what aspects or characteristics distinguish the protagonist
-Rebellious, break rule, questions, power and authority
-often feels trapped and is struggling to escape.
-question the existing social and political system of control
-feels as that there is something wrong with their society.
2 other Elements of Dystopian Literature
Some of the common elements of dystopian literature
Propaganda is used to control citizens
Fear of the outside world
Illusion of perfect utopian world
Constant surveillance
Natural world is banished
Living in a dehumanized state
Elements of Dystopian Literature and how its evolved
One specific dystopian book with suspense is The Uglies. In The Uglies we are left the first book to find more in the second book. We are left with the suspension of David deciding whether or not to come back to save Tally.
A second example is in the Hunger Games Series when Prim Rose dies. This is considered tragedy and brings the reader to feel the emotions of the characters.
Lastly, in The Maze Runner, James Dashner uses very specific words to create a clear picture of the dystopian future the characters live in.
Works Cited
Authors of dystopian text often use a common character development theme, rebellion. Most popular dystopian novels have this component in their main character. An example of this is Katniss, the main character in "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins. In the beginning of the story, Katniss shows rebellion by going into the restricted area to hunt. As the story progresses, she becomes the symbol of the rebellion against the capitol. Authors utilize character development as a key component to progress the plot and make it a true dystopian text.
How do authors of dystopian literature intend to impact society's beliefs?
Authors of dystopian literature intend to impact society with their feelings, emotions, morals and they've learned through life. These lessons can vary from warnings about how we live today, to choices we may make in the future.
What common ideas do authors in Dystopian literature often use ?
Some common ideas authors often use in dystopian
literature often include :
Foreshadowing- Warning or indication of a future event
-Unstable Society
-Violence between younger parties
-Love triangles
-Factions or designated groups
-Rebellious Protagonist
-Society struggles
"Utopia" (1516) by Thomas More
• internal travel is carefully monitored
• slaves are part of everyday life
• Every man has the right to everything

"The Day of the Triffids" (1951) by John Wyndham
Post-apocalyptic setting
Society collapsing
Story of survival

More Elements Introduced
"The Caves of Steel" (1954) by Isaac Asimov
Underground societies
Sci-Fi mixed with dystopia

"Battle Royale" (1999) by Koushun Takami
Similar to Hunger Games
“children being forced to kill each other in a totalitarian world”
Taken from the same school
"The Hunger Games" (2008) by Suzanne
“a live TV show in which twelve boys and girls must fight to the death”
“Capitol citizens dye, tattoo and wax themselves almost beyond recognition.
"The Machine" (2013) by James Smythe
Climate change has taken a toll
London is divided to keep the city from flooding
Hurricanes in Japan and New Orleans
A dystopia can happen in a small place or within the human psyche

Cao, Zizheng. "What Is The Purpose of English Dystopian Literature?" What Is The Purpose of English
Dystopian Literature? ZipfWorks, Inc., 1 Apr. 2011. Web. 12 Sept. 2015. <https://literature-

Collins, Suzanne The Hunger Games. New York, NY: Scholastic, 2008.

"Dystopias: Definition and Characteristics." Read Write Think. N.p., 2006. Web. 9 Sept. 2015.

Shannon, Samantha. "Evolution of Dystopian Literature in 9 Books." Huffington Post. Huffington Post,
17 Oct. 2013. Web. 9 Sept. 2015. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/samantha-shannon/

"Utopian and Dystopian Fiction." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 13 Sept. 2015.
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