This Pathfinder, from Emporia State's William Allen White Library, aims to be useful to students pursuing an academic interest in dystopian literature. We aim to provide enough information that the researcher might become familiar with the genre, and encourage further research through the resources gathered here.
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DYSTOPIA n.
"An imaginary place where people lead dehumanized and often fearful lives." (Merriam-Webster, 2013) |
The appeal of the "End of the World "
Dystopian fiction tends to deal with dark themes: war, oppression, disease, disaster. So why are readers so eager to throw themselves into such depressing novels? Increasingly popular among readers of all ages, dystopian literature appeals to our darker sensibilities and the fascinating question of “what if” in the situation of a post-apocalyptic society. The appeal of dystopian fiction is that the setting is often familiar, while removed, and thus relatable. The themes that are brought up in these novels, such as war, are familiar ones to today’s world, but what these authors do is escalate them to a terrifying degree. This familiarity allows for a suspension of disbelief and therein lies the reason for the popularity of dystopia: the idea that perhaps these alternate realities could one day come to pass.
Dystopian fiction tends to deal with dark themes: war, oppression, disease, disaster. So why are readers so eager to throw themselves into such depressing novels? Increasingly popular among readers of all ages, dystopian literature appeals to our darker sensibilities and the fascinating question of “what if” in the situation of a post-apocalyptic society. The appeal of dystopian fiction is that the setting is often familiar, while removed, and thus relatable. The themes that are brought up in these novels, such as war, are familiar ones to today’s world, but what these authors do is escalate them to a terrifying degree. This familiarity allows for a suspension of disbelief and therein lies the reason for the popularity of dystopia: the idea that perhaps these alternate realities could one day come to pass.
WHAT IS DYSTOPIA?
"Life as normal" is destroyed
Utopian illusion -- those in power envision a perfect society
Dehumanized citizens
Freedom is restricted
Individuality is repressed/conformity is encouraged
Violence -- War/Destruction, government oppression
Disease -- Biological, artificial
Technology -- Over-dependence, advanced technology/artificial intelligence, technological control
Society -- Experience a breakdown of society norms such as class systems, religion, political systems
Rebels against authority
Attempts to change the perceived problem
Rises as a leader
Often has a different way of thinking, allowing him/her to recognize that something is not as it should be
Will often find a group of similar-minded people
- Common Characteristics:
"Life as normal" is destroyed
Utopian illusion -- those in power envision a perfect society
Dehumanized citizens
Freedom is restricted
Individuality is repressed/conformity is encouraged
- Common Themes:
Violence -- War/Destruction, government oppression
Disease -- Biological, artificial
Technology -- Over-dependence, advanced technology/artificial intelligence, technological control
Society -- Experience a breakdown of society norms such as class systems, religion, political systems
- Common Elements of the Protagonist:
Rebels against authority
Attempts to change the perceived problem
Rises as a leader
Often has a different way of thinking, allowing him/her to recognize that something is not as it should be
Will often find a group of similar-minded people