Dystopian literature is a form of speculative fiction that began as a response to utopian literature. A dystopia is an imagined community or society that is dehumanizing and frightening. A dystopia is an antonym of a utopia, which is a perfect society.Dystopian novels that have a didactic message often explore themes like anarchism, oppression, and mass poverty. Margaret Atwood, one of literature’s most celebrated authors of dystopian fiction, thinks about it like this. If you’re interested in writing speculative fiction, one way to generate a plot is to take an idea from current society and move it a little further down the road. Even if humans are short-term thinkers, fiction can anticipate and extrapolate into multiple versions of the future.
1. Utopian & Dystopian literature
Name:- Dhruvita Dhameliya
Roll no:- 03
Enrollment number:-4069206420210006
Subject:- History of English literature from 1900 to 2000
Paper no:- 110
Topic:- Utopian & Dystopian literature
Submitted to:- S. B.Gardi Department of English , MKBU
2. Introduction
The early 20th century embodied social change. The western industrial revolution brought
large-scale production and labor modifications as people moved out of “cottage” industries
and into standardized factory settings. Machines began to fulfill many of the roles that had
previously required skilled human labor. As people continually were replaced in the
mechanization process, society began to express a concern for their place in this new world.
What role would humanity play? Under what conditions would society live? Several social
movements were born out of these questions some focusing on preserving previous
lifestyles, some focused on preserving human rights in the face of such drastic change while
others still sought to end privatized industrialization and replace it with an entirely new
social order. (Britannica)
3. Twentieth century
The 20th century was like no time period before it. Einstein, Darwin,
Freud and Marx were just some of the thinkers who profoundly changed
Western culture. These changes took distinct shape in the literature of the
20th century. Modernism, a movement that was a radical break from 19th
century Victorianism, led to postmodernism, which emphasized self-
consciousness and pop art. While 20th century literature is a diverse field
covering a variety of genres, there are common characteristics that
changed literature forever.(Britannica)
4. What is Dystopian Fiction?
From movies to novels to video games, dystopian fiction is consistently
one of the hottest genres in entertainment. But given its broad scope
and variety of forms, the dystopian genre can sometimes be hard to
categorize. What is dystopian fiction? What are its defining features
and how can we account for its enduring popularity? This presentation
will define dystopian fiction, explain its purpose and function, and
provide important examples of it from across the storytelling
spectrum.(Studiobinder)
5. Definition of Dystopia
“Literary dystopia are imagined societies in which the deepest demands of human
nature are either subverted,perverted, or simply made unattainable” (Barash,
2004, p. B10).
John Stuart Mills first used the term dystopia in 1868 and the Merriam-Webster’s
Collegiate Dictionary now defines it as, “an imaginary place where people lead
dehumanized and often fearful lives” (Dystopia, 2010). Although this subgenre
has been around since the mid 1900’s with novels such as 1984 by George Orwell
and The Giver by Lois Lowry, it is rapidly growing popular among young adult
readers. Teenagers are discovering societies much different from the ones they
encounter on a daily basis.
6. Dystopian literature
“An imaginary place where the state of being is very bad or
oppressive.”
The word dystopia comes from Greek root words that mean “bad place.” A
dystopia is the opposite of a utopia, or idyllic place.
One very famous example of dystopian literature is Animal Farm by George
Orwell, in which he creates an allegory of the Russian Revolution using animals
on a farm. He details how what starts as a utopian idea (communism) eventually
devolves and is revealed as a dystopia.(Chronicle.com)
7. What is Utopia?
A Utopia is considered an ideally perfect place, especially in its social,
political, and moral aspects. The idea of it is derived from a 1516 book by Sir
Thomas More that describes an imaginary ideal society free of poverty and
suffering. More coined the expression “utopia” from Greek words. It literally
means “no place,” conveying the idea that no such place could actually exist
because it doesn’t reflect the realities of human nature or existence.
Examples of utopia include the mystical “Shangri-la” from the 1933 novel Lost
Horizon and the 23rd century Earth depicted in Star Trek.(study.com)
9. Feminist Dystopia
Often, a feminist science fiction novel is more of a dystopia. Dystopic science fiction
imagines a world gone terribly wrong, exploring the most extreme possible consequences of
current society’s problems. In a feminist dystopia, the inequality of society or oppression of
women is exaggerated or intensified to highlight the need for change in contemporary society.
Matrubhoomi: A Nation Without Women’
Indian society’s fear of inequality, lack of development and other issues like sexism became
themes for post-apocalyptic films in India. ‘Mathrubhumi: A Nation Without Women’, is one
such example, which dealt with the theme of how a country might be, if it continues to
practice female foeticide to the point where there are no women in the country.(sciendo.com)
10. Feminist Utopia
Feminist utopia is a type of social science fiction. Usually, a feminist utopia
novel envisions a world in stark contrast to patriarchal society. Feminist
utopia imagines a society without gender oppression, envisioning a future or
an alternate reality where men and women are not stuck in traditional roles of
inequality. These novels are often set in worlds where men are entirely
absent.
11. Examples of Dystopian novel :- Leila
Leila is a 2017 Indian dystopian novel written by
Prayaag Akbar. Set in the 2040s, the story follows
Shalini, who tries to find her missing daughter
Leila in a totalitarian regime. It was published by
Simon & Schuster in several formats worldwide
on 20 April 2017 and received a positive critical
reception. (academia.edu)
12. Nineteen Eighty Four - 1984
Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four is among the best-known dystopias of the
twentieth century. The future world has been divided into three super-
states, Oceania, Eurasia and Eastasia all of which are embroiled in a
perpetual war. In Orwell’s future, governments use a manipulative form of
language called ‘Newspeak’, which states that ‘War is Peace’ and ‘Freedom
in Slavery’. Britain has been designated ‘Airstrip One’ and monitors its
citizens on behalf of a Stalinist and possibly non-existent leader, Big
Brother. The novel’s main characters, Winston and Julia, are two of the last
people to possess any concept of freedom. They make futile attempts to
rebel against Big Brother, only to be arrested and ‘rehabilitated’ by the
State. Orwell’s novel has inspired many subsequent
dystopias.(thonyburgess)
13. Conclusion
In recent times, dystopian writers have returned to the idea of the
conflict between science and the individual.It is clear that the
dystopian form is far from exhausted, and that it will continue to
flourish in a world of climate emergencies, global pandemics and
government-imposed lockdowns.Dystopian fiction can be a way to
educate and warn humanity about the dangers of current social and
political structures.
14. Citation:-
Briedik, Adam. "A postcolonial feminist dystopia: Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale" Ars Aeterna, vol.13,
no.1, 2021, pp.57-67. https://doi.org/10.2478/aa-2021-0004
Green, Michael Bodhi, et al. “Dystopian Fiction Explained - Themes and Characteristics.” StudioBinder, 26 Feb.
2021, https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-dystopian-fiction-definition-characteristics/.
MasterClass. “What Is Dystopian Fiction? Learn about the 5 Characteristics of Dystopian Fiction with Examples -
2022.” MasterClass, MasterClass, 9 Sept. 2021, https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-dystopian-fiction-
learn-about-the-5-characteristics-of-dystopian-fiction-with-examples#whats-the-difference-between-utopia-and-
dystopia.
Ratcliffe, Glynis. “Feminism in Dystopian Fiction.” Medium, Medium, 13 May 2019,
https://glynisratcliffe.medium.com/feminism-in-dystopian-fiction-26047b5f1415.
Sahil, Utkarsh. “Dystopia UCAM. Utkarsh.” Academia.edu, 20 Mar. 2020,
https://www.academia.edu/42269801/Dystopia_UCAM_Utkarsh.
