DYSTOPIAN NARRATIVES AND HEROSIn Fiction, and In Fact

DEFINITION OF A DYSTOPIAN SOCIETY (NOTES) An imagined universe in which oppressive

societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through totalitarian control.

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

Cautionary Tales

FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD WORLDS (POST WWII – FALL OF THE USSR)

ORWELL’S 1984

CHARACTERISTICS OFTEN FOUND IN A DYSTOPIAN SOCIETY (NOTES) Propaganda is used to control the citizens of society. Information, independent thought, and freedom are

restricted. A figurehead or concept is worshipped by the

citizens of the society. Citizens are perceived to be under constant

surveillance. Citizens have a fear of the outside world. Citizens live in a dehumanized state. The natural world is banished and/or distrusted. Citizens conform to uniform expectations.

Individuality and dissent are bad. The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world.

A DYSTOPIA NARRATIVE (NOTES) Back Story – A fictional universe that must be told

which provides an event in which society changes, often bringing totalitarian control

Hero – Usually a character within that society that finds some fault; however, he/she can be from outside the society, yet they receive no assistance from the dystopian society

Conflict – The hero’s conflict comes before a representative/figure of the dystopia; usually there is a society outside of the dystopia that the hero put his/her hope in

Climax/Denouement – The goal is to escape or destroy the dystopia, yet often the narrative is unresolved; sometimes, the hero is unable to change the society or conforms to the society

DYSTOPIAS IN FICTION 1984 Harrison Bergeron Lord of the Flies (even though it isn’t sci-fi) Escape from New York/LA The Matrix Movies Minority Report V for Vendetta Repo! The Genetic Opera

DYSTOPIAS IN THE REAL WORLD?The Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea (DPRNK)

NORTH KOREA A single-party state – Korean Workers’ Party Kim-Il Sung – “Eternal President”

Ruled DPRNK from 1948-1993 In the same period of time, the US had 9 different presidents!

Designated by the country’s constitution as “Eternal President” after his death in ‘94

Kim Jong-Il Son of Sung Basically Sung’s successor (although technically Sung

is STILL president) Kim Jong-Un

Heir presumptive of DPRNK and son of Kim Jong-Il (means that if Jong-Il dies or decides to step down,

he’s the man)

FAMINE Juche – Philosophy of Communist Self-

Sufficiency Sung’s version of INGSOC

In reality, NK Economy was reliant on trade with USSR When USSR collapsed, disaster for NK

economy/industry This, in combination with heavy drought, led to

massive starvation in the 90’sOver 2 million people starved to death. NK has not yet recovered from this. However

they (Jong-Il) requested food aid stop in 2001.

HUMAN RIGHTS Access to information

Lots of news sources, all owned by the state No access to foreign news Internet? INTRAnet!

Kwangmyong: domestic news, an e-mail service and censored information from foreign websites (mostly scientific)

Police State Secret prisons, torture, medical experiments,

rape, etc., according to defectors Estimated 150,000 – 200,000 inmates

CULT OF PERSONALITY

A cult of personality arises when an individual uses mass media, propaganda, or other methods, to create an idealized and heroic public image

MORE CULTS OF PERSONALITY

MORE CULTS OF PERSONALITY