The Effects Of A Dystopian Society

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The Effects Of A Dystopian Society

"The Most Dangerous Game" and The Hunger Games are two very popular pieces of literary works which have been converted into movies and are enjoyed by many. The Hunger Games was most likely derived from "The Most Dangerous Game" because they share many similarities such as a remote location, survival of the fittest, a deadly game, dystopian society/setting, and lastly the survivor is the victor. The most important of these similarities, is a deadly game created by the dystopian society, in which the human race ferally fights each other in order to survive. These deadly games create and support the dystopian society in place,yet,the main character's defiance calls for social action, and provides entertainment at the cost of suffering.

In both The Hunger Games and "The Most Dangerous Game" one finds the common theme of a dystopian society. A dystopia is an imperfect society in which a group of people or a person is in control. These societies often have similar characteristics such as restriction of freedom of thought, citizens live in a corrupt state, human misery is allowed and inflicted, officials try to make an illusion of a utopia, individuality is not allowed, and propaganda or other information is used to brainwash citizens (Wright lesson 926).One reason as to why dystopian societies appeal to the Young Adult audience is because, they usually take place in the future and act as a warning of what can happen, or in some places,what is happening.

In The Hunger Games the theme of a dystopian society is displayed in Panem by the amount of power a single person has and its imperfect society. In Panem, the futuristic North American country that ...

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...ames. Dir. Gary Ross. Perf. Jennifer Lawerance, Josh Hutcherson. Lions Gate Home Entertainment,2012.DVD.

Kirtley, Patricia . "The Hunger Games: Discussing Dystopia." Nssa.us. 2011. 120-123 Web. 9 Apr. 2014.

http://www.nssa.us/journals/pdf/NSS_Proceedings_2011_Las_Vegas_1.pdf#page=121>.

National. N.p., 7 Apr. 2014. Web. 14 Apr.

Miller,Laura. "Fresh Hell.". The New Yorker, 14 June 2010.Web.16 Apr. 2014.

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/atlarge/2010/06/14/100614crat_atlarge_miller?currentPage=all

Wright, Junius. "Dystopias: Definition and Characteristics.".NCTE,n.d. Web.16 Apr.2014.

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson926/DefinitionCharacteristics.pdf

Wusstig, Elaina . "Hunger Games-The Dystopian World." Hunger Games-The Dystopian World. N.p., 21 Feb. 2012. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.

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