Activity Overview
Utopian/ Dystopian literature is a rapidly growing sub-genre of popular fiction. Authors often use utopias to convey a message about the world we live in today.
Dystopias are extremely flawed societies. In this genre, the setting is often a fallen society, usually occurring after a large scale war, or other horrific event, that caused chaos in the former world. In many stories this chaos gives rise to a totalitarian government that assumes absolute control. The flaws in this sort of a dystopia are center around oppression and restrictions on freedom by central authorities.
No Independent Thought [or Speech]
Society has become obsessed with the media, TV, and radio. It has censored thought and knowledge through the banning of books.
Puppet Government
The government has amended the constitution, mainly to take away rights of the people.
Lack of Free Will
Choices are taken away. Those who break the rules or laws suffer the consequences, like those who have their books burned!
"Sameness/Uniformity"
Uniformity or individuality is expressed through the media and especially through the TV. Technology has become so advanced that giant wall-sized TV's can be found in every home and TV programs can incorporate the viewer's name and preferences to get them to interact with the show.
Perfect Society
The government's censorship and a ban on books is portrayed as being for the good of society. Without religion and books, ideas cannot spark differences between people, leading to a more sedate society.
Citizens are Under Surveillance/Fear
The government uses citizens to police each other. Family members, friends, and neighbors are so afraid that they will turn on one another. This is evident when Mildred reports Guy for having a book.