Other Dystopian Texts

The Body Snatchers by Finney

aliens invade the earth by replacing humans with alien versions that cannot reproduce. these clones only last 5 years. the alien aim is to make earth a dead planet. optimistic ending. themes of war, sci-fi, survival, hope, relationships, colonisation

The Handmaid’s Tale by Atwood

ambiguous ending. Themes of war, survival, hope, relationships, gender, religion

1984 by Orwell

ambiguous/negative ending, Themes of war, survival, uniformity, surveillance

Brave New World by Huxley

Soma is a drug that induces people into a haze. Sexual liberation is at its extreme. Childhood indoctrination programmes. Pre-determined classes. Citizens are engineered in artificial wombs (eugenics).

Themes of survival sexuality, reproduction, surveillance

Vox by Balcher

women get electric shocks if they speak more than one hundred words a day no sign language, pens and paper are forbidden. happens in one year. Themes of gender, education.

We by Zamyatin

Everyone has a number and a set role for something. Themes of individuality, reproduction (eugenics), isolation

High Rise by Ballard

Internal dystopia in a building. Different floors belonging to different classes. Themes of wealth, class, isolation, warfare. To escape the dystopia is to just leave the building and yet people stay.

Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler

2024- post apocalyptic world with extreme class divide and corruption. Protagonist- “Lauren” creates a religion

“Make America Great Again” used by the dictator in the novel.