Yr 9 english -dystopian-

Definition

Bad place (old Greek) - opposite of utopia, meaning ideally perfect place

Dystopian Protagonist Traits

Feels trapped and struggling to escape

Questions society and the world around them

Feels that something is wrong

Helps the audience recognise the negative aspects of society

Generic Conventions

Propaganda

Information, independence & freedom are restricted

A person in power or concept is worshipped

Under constant surveillance

Fear of the outside world

Conformity to uniform expectations

Main Themes

Rebellion

Oppression

Revolution

War

Overpopulation

Disasters

Characteristics

Government control

Technological control

Environmental destruction

Survival

Loss of individualism

Function / Role

Dystopian fiction makes a criticism about a current trend, societal norm or political system. It shows what could possibly happen in the future if society continues to worsen.

Setting

Oppressive societal control

Dehumanised state

Pollution

Either no government or one powerful ruling body

Inhabitable, destroyed or preparing for destruction

Characters

Powerless or have extreme power

Paranoia

Citizens have to fend for themselves to survive

Plot

Live in a fake utopia

Fight for survival

End goal - escape or destruction

May fail to change anything

Takes a present problem and advances it further