It’s a Wonderful World...It’s a Wonderful World......or is it? ...or is it?

The Truth About Dystopian FictionThe Truth About Dystopian Fiction

““Radioactive” - Imagine Radioactive” - Imagine DragonsDragons

I'm waking up to ash and dustI wipe my brow and I sweat my rustI'm breathing in the chemicals(inhale) (exhale)

I'm breaking in, shaping up, then checking out on the prison I'm breaking in, shaping up, then checking out on the prison busbusThis is it, the apocalypseThis is it, the apocalypseWhoaWhoa

I'm waking up, I feel it in my bonesI'm waking up, I feel it in my bonesEnough to make my systems blowEnough to make my systems blowWelcome to the new age, to the new ageWelcome to the new age, to the new ageWelcome to the new age, to the new ageWelcome to the new age, to the new ageWhoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh, I'm radioactive, Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh, I'm radioactive, radioactiveradioactiveWhoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh, I'm radioactive, Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh, I'm radioactive, radioactiveradioactive

I raise my flags, don my clothesI raise my flags, don my clothesIt's a revolution, I supposeIt's a revolution, I supposeWe're painted red to fit right inWe're painted red to fit right inWhoaWhoa

I'm breaking in, shaping up, then checking out on the prison I'm breaking in, shaping up, then checking out on the prison busbusThis is it, the apocalypseThis is it, the apocalypseWhoaWhoa

Read more: Imagine Dragons - Radioactive Lyrics | MetroLyrics

Answer afterAnswer after: How : How is “Radioactive” a is “Radioactive” a dystopia theme dystopia theme

song?song?

In order to understand a dystopia (a messed-up utopia), In order to understand a dystopia (a messed-up utopia), we have to understand what a we have to understand what a utopiautopia is. is.

In ancient Greece, Plato’s In ancient Greece, Plato’s RepublicRepublic (380 BC) was one of (380 BC) was one of the first writings to touch on the idea of a “perfect” the first writings to touch on the idea of a “perfect” society. society.

The pure definition of a utopia was coined by a man in The pure definition of a utopia was coined by a man in England named Sir Thomas More. He wrote a tract called England named Sir Thomas More. He wrote a tract called Utopia Utopia (pub. 1516), and that’s when the word really took (pub. 1516), and that’s when the word really took off.off.

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

UtopiaUtopia

Wait...are utopias for Wait...are utopias for real?real?YES! There are several famous examples of YES! There are several famous examples of utopian experimentsutopian experiments..

Canberra, AustraliaCanberra, Australia

New Harmony, IndianaNew Harmony, Indiana

Amana Colonies, IowaAmana Colonies, Iowa

Oneida community, New YorkOneida community, New York

Lebensraum, Germany (Hitler’s regime)Lebensraum, Germany (Hitler’s regime)

Pitcairn Island, South PacificPitcairn Island, South Pacific

Jacobopolis, USAJacobopolis, USA

Mennonite community, DelawareMennonite community, Delaware

Charlotta, FloridaCharlotta, Florida

Haifa, PalestineHaifa, Palestine

Maxwell Owenite Community, CanadaMaxwell Owenite Community, Canada

Brook Farm, USABrook Farm, USA

China: Attempts at a China: Attempts at a modern utopia? modern utopia?

Think back to the Beijing Urban Planning Think back to the Beijing Urban Planning Museum we visited during interim. Museum we visited during interim.

We watched about video about the “Beijing of We watched about video about the “Beijing of the Future.” the Future.”

What were some elements that seemed What were some elements that seemed utopian or unachievable to you?utopian or unachievable to you?

Watch this video about Watch this video about TianjinTianjin, an eco-friendly , an eco-friendly “utopian” city being built near Beijing. “utopian” city being built near Beijing.

So if that’s a utopia...So if that’s a utopia...

A dystopia doesn’t automatically mean “not” a utopia. A dystopia doesn’t automatically mean “not” a utopia.

A dystopia often is the A dystopia often is the resultresult of a failed utopia. of a failed utopia. Meaning, the founders Meaning, the founders triedtried to create a perfect world, to create a perfect world, but, since they are human, it turned into something but, since they are human, it turned into something not so good. not so good.

DystopiaDystopia: a futuristic, imagined universe in which : a futuristic, imagined universe in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through some kind of society are maintained through some kind of controlcontrol - - moral, technological, bureaucratic, corporate, or moral, technological, bureaucratic, corporate, or totalitarian. totalitarian.

Dystopias as Social Dystopias as Social CommentaryCommentary

Dystopias are often written with hints of either Dystopias are often written with hints of either current or past social commentary.current or past social commentary.

It is not uncommon to read of fictional It is not uncommon to read of fictional situations which sound eerily familiar to us - situations which sound eerily familiar to us - one child policy in China, murder of the Jews one child policy in China, murder of the Jews during the Holocaust, perfection of society during the Holocaust, perfection of society through plastic surgery, etc. through plastic surgery, etc.

Dystopias, through an exaggerated worst-case Dystopias, through an exaggerated worst-case scenario, make a criticism about a current (or scenario, make a criticism about a current (or past) trend, societal norm, or political system.past) trend, societal norm, or political system.

Examples of Dystopian Examples of Dystopian NovelsNovels

Among the HiddenAmong the Hidden - commentary about limitations on family & children - commentary about limitations on family & children (China’s one child policy)(China’s one child policy)

The Hunger GamesThe Hunger Games - dictatorial regimes, children during war time, use of - dictatorial regimes, children during war time, use of child soldiers, hint of the Holocaust/genocide, mass extermination using child soldiers, hint of the Holocaust/genocide, mass extermination using technological weaponstechnological weapons

1984 - 1984 - “Big Brother,” technological control of ideas, oppression & fear“Big Brother,” technological control of ideas, oppression & fear

DivergentDivergent - destroyed society, control through factions, differences are - destroyed society, control through factions, differences are frightening (you should fit in)frightening (you should fit in)

Fahrenheit 451 - Fahrenheit 451 - control of information, gov’t censorship, illiteracy, world control of information, gov’t censorship, illiteracy, world consumed by technologyconsumed by technology

Pretties, Uglies, etc.Pretties, Uglies, etc. - use of plastic surgery to be “perfect” - use of plastic surgery to be “perfect”

UnwoundUnwound - use of technology to create a perfect world by getting rid of - use of technology to create a perfect world by getting rid of undesirablesundesirables

Characteristics of Characteristics of DystopiaDystopia

There are commonalities among many (if not all) dystopian There are commonalities among many (if not all) dystopian novels. That’s why it is a novels. That’s why it is a genre genre of literature. These are of literature. These are some of the characteristics of a dystopian novel: some of the characteristics of a dystopian novel:

Propaganda is used to control the citizensPropaganda is used to control the citizens

Information, independent thought, and freedom are Information, independent thought, and freedom are restricted.restricted.

A figurehead or concept is worshiped by the citizen of A figurehead or concept is worshiped by the citizen of the society.the society.

Citizens are perceived to be under constant Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance.surveillance.

Characteristics, contin.Characteristics, contin.

Citizens have a fear of the outside world.Citizens have a fear of the outside world.

Citizens live in a dehumanized state. Citizens live in a dehumanized state.

The natural world is banished and distrusted. (Ex. The natural world is banished and distrusted. (Ex. Wall-EWall-E))

This might mean the artificial formation of families or This might mean the artificial formation of families or artificial production of people and goods.artificial production of people and goods.

Citizens conform to uniform expectations - individuality and Citizens conform to uniform expectations - individuality and dissent are bad.dissent are bad.

There are very strict social structures which should not be There are very strict social structures which should not be crossed.crossed.

The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world.The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world.

We like control!We like control!

Part of a dystopia’s definition is that it’s a perfect society Part of a dystopia’s definition is that it’s a perfect society maintained through some kind of control mechanism. maintained through some kind of control mechanism. These are the four types of control that exist: These are the four types of control that exist:

Corporate controlCorporate control: One or more large corporations : One or more large corporations control society through products, advertising, and/or control society through products, advertising, and/or the media. Ex. - the media. Ex. - Minority Report Minority Report & & Running ManRunning Man

Bureaucratic controlBureaucratic control: Society is controlled by a : Society is controlled by a mindlessmindless bureaucracybureaucracy through a tangle of red tape, through a tangle of red tape, relentless regulations, and incompetent government relentless regulations, and incompetent government officials. Ex. - officials. Ex. - Brazil Brazil

Yet more control...Yet more control...

Technological controlTechnological control: Society is controlled : Society is controlled by technology - through computers, robots, by technology - through computers, robots, and/or scientific means. Ex. - and/or scientific means. Ex. - The Matrix, The Matrix, Terminator, Terminator, and and I, RobotI, Robot

Philosophical/religious controlPhilosophical/religious control - Society is - Society is controlled by philosophical or religious ideology controlled by philosophical or religious ideology often enforced through a dictatorship or often enforced through a dictatorship or theocratic government. theocratic government.

The ProtagonistThe Protagonist

A novel’s A novel’s protagonistprotagonist is the main character, often the is the main character, often the hero or heroine of the book. The action revolves around hero or heroine of the book. The action revolves around how they think, act, and feel. how they think, act, and feel.

Katniss, Katniss, The Hunger Games The Hunger Games

Guy Montag - Guy Montag - Fahrenheit 451Fahrenheit 451

Tris Prior - Tris Prior - DivergentDivergent

Neo - Neo - The MatrixThe Matrix

In a dystopia, even the protagonists have specific In a dystopia, even the protagonists have specific characteristics that you can often see across numerous characteristics that you can often see across numerous books.books.

Dystopian ProtagonistDystopian Protagonist

Often feels trapped and is struggling to escape.Often feels trapped and is struggling to escape.

Questions the existing social and political systems.Questions the existing social and political systems.

Believes or feels that something is terribly wrong with Believes or feels that something is terribly wrong with the society in which s/he lives.the society in which s/he lives.

Helps the audience recognize the negative aspects of Helps the audience recognize the negative aspects of the dystopian world through his/her perspectivethe dystopian world through his/her perspective

*May often show reluctance to be a hero/heroine *May often show reluctance to be a hero/heroine despite the above characteristics, perhaps due to despite the above characteristics, perhaps due to family obligations, fear, uncertainty, or feeling like family obligations, fear, uncertainty, or feeling like s/he is a pawn in a bigger game. (Miss L’s sidenote) s/he is a pawn in a bigger game. (Miss L’s sidenote)

Miss L’s Four Cardinal Miss L’s Four Cardinal Points of a Dystopian NovelPoints of a Dystopian Novel

Loss of the IndividualLoss of the Individual: There is little chance to show : There is little chance to show individuality in a dystopian novel. There are uniform expectations individuality in a dystopian novel. There are uniform expectations of citizens, usually enforced through control and fear. You aren’t of citizens, usually enforced through control and fear. You aren’t able to think or do anything different from what has been able to think or do anything different from what has been established by the norm (or the authority in place). Sometimes, established by the norm (or the authority in place). Sometimes, you are expected to physically or mentally change in order to you are expected to physically or mentally change in order to conform to your society. If you don’t...that’s not good for you!conform to your society. If you don’t...that’s not good for you!

Control & FearControl & Fear - People, technology, and/or nature are highly - People, technology, and/or nature are highly controlled by an overarching government or corporation. There is controlled by an overarching government or corporation. There is little chance of changing it without a drastic overhaul of little chance of changing it without a drastic overhaul of authority. People/citizens are held in a suspended state of fear - authority. People/citizens are held in a suspended state of fear - fear of pain, torture, death, recrimination, punishment, etc. This fear of pain, torture, death, recrimination, punishment, etc. This helps the authority figure(s) control the people the most helps the authority figure(s) control the people the most effectively.effectively.

The other pointsThe other points

Cracks in the FoundationCracks in the Foundation - Usually the novel starts with - Usually the novel starts with some kind of “crack in the foundation” of the dystopia. The some kind of “crack in the foundation” of the dystopia. The protagonist is put the position of exploiting that “crack” in protagonist is put the position of exploiting that “crack” in order to solve a problem or change the society. The dystopia order to solve a problem or change the society. The dystopia has “peaked,” and now it must be changed - or collapse has “peaked,” and now it must be changed - or collapse completely. completely.

Eerie Parallels to Our WorldEerie Parallels to Our World - As you read, it’s important - As you read, it’s important to keep in mind historical issues and current events which to keep in mind historical issues and current events which may “pop up” in a dystopian novel. Since it’s meant to be a may “pop up” in a dystopian novel. Since it’s meant to be a commentary, in a way, about our own world (disguised as commentary, in a way, about our own world (disguised as fiction), you should notice these commonalities. What social fiction), you should notice these commonalities. What social and/or historical issues do you see being discussed in the and/or historical issues do you see being discussed in the novel?novel?

Quotes from/about Dystopian Quotes from/about Dystopian NovelsNovelsHow are some of these quotes representative of dystopian societies?How are some of these quotes representative of dystopian societies?

“Human reason can excuse any evil; that is why it's so important that we don't rely on it.” ― ― Veronica RothVeronica Roth, , DivergentDivergent

“Everything - our houses, our clothes, our hairstyles - is meant to help us forget ourselves and to protect us from vanity, greed and envy, which are just forms of selfishness. If we have little, and want for little, and we are all equal, we envy no one.” ―― Veronica RothVeronica Roth, , DivergentDivergent

“And what would they be scared of? There's nothing to fear in a perfect world, is there?” ―― Catherine FisherCatherine Fisher

“Someday all the wilds will be razed, and we will be left with a concrete landscape, a land of pretty houses and trim gardens and planned parks and forests, and a world that works as smoothly as a clock, neatly wound: a world of metal and gears, and people going tick-tick-tick to their deaths.” ― ― Lauren OliverLauren Oliver, , PandemoniumPandemonium

“Knowledge is dangerous.” ― ― Patrick NessPatrick Ness

“No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?” ―― George OrwellGeorge Orwell, , Animal FarmAnimal Farm

“The life where nothing was ever unexpected. Or inconvenient. Or unusual. The life without colour, pain or past.” ― ― Lois LowryLois Lowry, , The GiverThe Giver

“Taking the kids from our districts, forcing them to kill one another while we watch – this is the Capitol’s way of reminding us how totally we are at their mercy.” ― ― Suzanne CollinsSuzanne Collins

So...So...How is Imagine Dragon’s How is Imagine Dragon’s “Radioactive”“Radioactive” like a like a theme song for dystopian novels? Discuss.theme song for dystopian novels? Discuss.I'm waking up to ash and dustI wipe my brow and I sweat my rustI'm breathing in the chemicals(inhale) (exhale)

I'm breaking in, shaping up, then checking out on the prison busI'm breaking in, shaping up, then checking out on the prison busThis is it, the apocalypseThis is it, the apocalypseWhoaWhoa

I'm waking up, I feel it in my bonesI'm waking up, I feel it in my bonesEnough to make my systems blowEnough to make my systems blowWelcome to the new age, to the new ageWelcome to the new age, to the new ageWelcome to the new age, to the new ageWelcome to the new age, to the new ageWhoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh, I'm radioactive, radioactiveWhoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh, I'm radioactive, radioactiveWhoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh, I'm radioactive, radioactiveWhoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh, I'm radioactive, radioactive

I raise my flags, don my clothesI raise my flags, don my clothesIt's a revolution, I supposeIt's a revolution, I supposeWe're painted red to fit right inWe're painted red to fit right inWhoaWhoa

I'm breaking in, shaping up, then checking out on the prison busI'm breaking in, shaping up, then checking out on the prison busThis is it, the apocalypseThis is it, the apocalypse