Dystopias: Definition, Characteristics, and Protagonist

15 question-and-answer flashcards covering the definitions of utopia and dystopia, core characteristics of dystopian societies, the four control types, examples, and the role of the dystopian protagonist.

What is a utopia?

A place, state, or condition that is ideally perfect in respect of politics, laws, customs, and conditions.

What is a dystopia?

A futuristic, imagined universe in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through corporate, bureaucratic, technological, moral, or totalitarian control.

Why do authors create dystopian settings?

To present an exaggerated worst-case scenario that criticizes a current trend, societal norm, or political system.

Name three ways information and behavior are restricted in a dystopian society.

1) Propaganda controls citizens; 2) Independent thought and freedom are limited; 3) Citizens are under constant surveillance.

In a dystopian world, how is the outside world typically portrayed to citizens?

As something to be feared.

What illusion do dystopian societies work to maintain?

The illusion of a perfect, utopian world.

What happens to individuality in most dystopian societies?

Citizens must conform to uniform expectations; individuality and dissent are considered bad.

List the four main types of dystopian control.

Corporate, bureaucratic, technological, and philosophical/religious control.

Describe corporate control and give one example.

Large corporations dominate society through products, advertising, or media; example: Minority Report (or Running Man).

Describe bureaucratic control and name an illustrative film.

A mindless bureaucracy rules through red tape and relentless regulations; example: Brazil.

Describe technological control and list one example.

Technology—computers, robots, or scientific means—dominates society; examples: The Matrix, The Terminator, I, Robot.

What defines philosophical/religious control in a dystopia?

Society is governed by an ideology enforced through a dictatorship or theocratic government.

What is one key physical or environmental characteristic of many dystopias?

The natural world is banished and distrusted.

How does a dystopian protagonist typically feel and act?

They feel trapped, question social and political systems, believe something is wrong with society, and struggle to escape.

Why is the dystopian protagonist important to the audience?

Their perspective helps the audience recognize the negative aspects of the dystopian world.