Introduction
The term "utopia" consists of two Greek words which can either mean "nowhere" or "no world." Its definition reads: "a Utopia is a perfect world without any problems like war, diseases, poverty, discrimination, or inequality." It was first created and used by the British author Sir Thomas More in 1516 when he published a book of the same name. On the other hand, "dystopia" consists of the Greek [dys + tópas], meaning bad place and serves as the antonym/opposite of utopia. It is an imaginary place where people live dehumanized, fearful lives, resembling the embodiment of a worst-case scenario for a certain society.
Dystopian Concepts
- Totalitarian regime: refers to a society in which nearly every aspect of public and private behavior is regulated by the state and serves as an instrument to implement ideologies, as seen in the case of Hitler's regime.
- Violence: is often used as a tool to keep the citizens down and under control. It creates an omnipresent fear, which frightens people.
- Technology replaces humanity: This is a common science-fiction element.
- Nightmarish extremes: Tendencies, which a society is showing right now, are exaggerated to the point where it becomes normal, in order to give insight into the possible dangers of these tendencies.
Function
Dystopian literature serves as a commentary on our current society, as well as moral and ethics. It serves as warnings to those who read/watch it. It is somehow like a tale since new achievements may look like a great opportunity on the surface, but in reality, it isn't. It creates "What if scenarios", proposing ideas in order to improve a certain problem/situation.
Examples
1984
- The novel explores the value of memory and the destruction of historical documents.
- The government controls people by means of constant surveillance and indoctrination through propagandistic language "Newspeak."
- In George Orwell's 1984, the protagonist, Winston Smith, struggles with oppression in Oceania. He dares to express his thoughts in a diary and enters a relationship with Julia, which bring him into the eye of the opposition.
Fahrenheit 451
- The novel introduces a new world in which control of the masses by the media, overpopulation, and censorship has taken over the general population.
- Books are considered evil because they make people question and think.
Brave New World
- The novel examines a futuristic society, called the World State, that revolves around science and efficiency.
- Emotions and individuality are conditioned out of children at a young age, and there are no lasting relationships.
The Hunger Games
- The government uses the TV show for commercial reasons, and candidates have to fight for their survival.
- It depicts a two-class society with rich Capitol and poor districts.
In conclusion, these examples provide insight into the different characteristics of dystopian literature and serve as warnings of the possible dangers we face in our society. The function of dystopian literature is not only to entertain but also to provoke thought and commentary on the ethical and moral aspects of our world.
