Dystopian Literature Essay

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Dystopian Literature is the complete opposite of Utopian literature, which is an ideal society where everything is perfect, in which the world is ruled by a Totalitarian leader, or a post-apocalyptic world. Dystopian literature unlike other genres adapt to changing times and norms in society; although, we might not find Russians as scary as our parents or grandparents, our children or grandchildren may not find ISIS as scary as we do. The first work considered to be a part of dystopian literature is Utopia published by Thomas More in 1516, it’s written as a dialogue between the narrator and a fictionalized version of More. Also Gulliver’s travels is considered dystopian, due to him finding that he and the people of London are no better than Franz Kafka’s The Trial the story’s protagonists Josef K was arrested for unclassified reasons and then was sent to court over a very nonspecific crime; this story leads to George Orwell’s 1984 and Aldous Huxley’s A Brave New World (Willians, “Dark Days: The Fascinating History of the Dystopian Novel). In 1985, Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale was published; its story was of a military Christian theocracy where women weren’t allowed to read, control bank accounts, or freely reproduce. It helped out the feminist’s movement and also became a more modern example of how Dystopian Literature could actually sustain the test of time and remain current and up to date with society (Willians, “Dark Days: The Fascinating History of the Dystopian Novel). The first book that deserves a closer look is definitely 1984 by George Big Brother uses telescreens to spy on the people of Oceania, and he also uses the thought police to patrol them. The thought police also monitored them by looking into their windows; thus, they try to ensure that no one will rise up against Big Brother, which in turn is Oceania. Ensuring that the people of Oceania believed as told on the telescreens, The Ministry of Truth would show propaganda showing what had been said was true. All four of the ministries did the opposite of their names; Since, there was The Ministry of Truth: lies, Ministry of Peace: war, Ministry of Plenty: starvation, and the Ministry of Love: torture (Orwell 4). To emphasize the irony behind it all the Ministry of Truth 's moto was: War Is Peace Freedom Is Slavery Ignorance Is Strength. As a part of teaching to hate freedom and many other things that wouldn 't be allowed in their "perfect" society they would have Hate Week; which is where they group all Ocianians together and have a rally against the enemies of "justice". The Dystopian element is very obvious in 1984 as you have a Totalitarian leader and a mind washed population, because it shows that the government wasn 't concerned with the psychological effects that this kind of a society can have on people. It shows how a government may go great lengths to try to ensure that someone will follow a new

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