Utopia and dystopia

What does the word "utopia” mean?

It comes from Greek and means both "no place" and "good place".

What is an utopia?

It's an imaginary perfect society.

What is a dystopia?

A dystopia is:

A frightening, negative version of society. Often warns us about problems in our world.

Who wrote the first utopian book?

Sir Thomas More in 1516. The book was called Utopia.

When was the first utopian book written?

Sir Thomas More in 1516. The book was called Utopia.

What was the first Utopian book called?

The book was called Utopia. Written by Sir Thomas More in 1516.

Why do dystopias often involve technology?

Because technology can change society a lot - for better or worse.

When did dystopia become popular?

In the 1900s

Why did dystopia become popular in the 1900s?

Because people became afraid of how fast technology and science were changing society, especially after wars and dictatorships.

Name two things that dystopian societies usually have

- Totalitarian control (when the goverment has total control over peoples lives, citizens have no freedom: everything is watched or controlled. - Example: A totalitarian regime might ban free speech, control the media, or punish anyone who disagrees)

- loss of freedom

- surveillance

- dangerous use of technology

- ...

💡Think of dystopias like 1984 — everyone is watched and told what to think, say, and do. That’s totalitarian control.

What do both utopias and dystopias do?

But utopias and dystopias show otherkinds of societies and criticise real problems in our word today.

Name a dystopian novel (and their actor) -not Ustopia from Sir Thomas More (1516)

Brave New World -Aldous Huxley (1932)

Nineteen Eightyfour -George Orwell (1949)

A Clockwork Orange -Anthong Burgess (1962)

The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood (1985

How can fiction like dystopias help people in the real world?

By warning them about dangerous trends in politics, science, or technology before they go too far.