The Almost Perfect Society

DYSTOPIA

DEFINING DYSTOPIA

Where did the word come from?

Ancient Greek:

δυσ- (dus-)= Bad, Hard, Unfortunate

τόπος (topos)= Place, Location

Literally: dus+topos=dystopia, or Unfortunate Place.

• Utopian Societies are perfect.

• Can something be perfect?

• Dystopian Societies seem perfect, but they have an overwhelming flaw.

• Perfection has a price.

DYSTOPIA IN PRACTICE

History of Dystopian WritingDystopian writing is a response to Utopian writing.

Originally created to mock the idea of perfect societies.

They were satire.

Modern Dystopian stories point to the problems with new, or miraculous technologies.

• Engrained in the society

• Begin to question the things around them.

• Rebel or flee, or both.

THE DYSTOPIAN HERO

• The Setting is “Post-Apocalyptic”

• Technology has regressed as a result

• Equality has grown up in a Collectivist civilization

• Freedom is subordinated to the group

• Everyone is “Equal”

ABOUT ANTHEM SPECIFICALLY

ELEMENTS OF DYSTOPIAN SOCIETY

THE SOCIETY/SOCIAL STRUCTURE PLAYS AN ENORMOUS ROLE IN THE STORY

Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty.

-Thomas Jefferson

STRONG ELEMENTS OF CONTROL, AND LACK OF CERTAIN FREEDOMS.

RESTRICTED INFORMATION

CITIZENS/CHARACTERS ARE DEHUMANIZED TO SOME EXTENT.

CONFORMITY. INDIVIDUALITY AND DISSENSION ARE BAD/IMMORAL/ILLEGAL.

THERE IS THE ILLUSION OF A PERFECT WORLD.