thematic connections:. if your life were a movie, what would it be like? write for five minutes...
TRANSCRIPT
DystopiaThematic Connections:
Journal Entry
If your life were a movie, what would it be like?
Write for five minutes straight, no stopping.
Circle three insightful comments
DYSTOPIA
Click icon to add picture•A fictional society that is undesirable or frightening•Humans lead miserable or fearful lives•Usually an allegory – meant to teach or warn society about harmful ideas or traits
PLOT – One of two directions: Terrible things
happen to the characters: Characters escape
their fate Characters “win”
Terrible things happen to the characters: Characters meet an
untimely end Establishment
“wins”
StructureThree Acts
ACT I ACT II
ACT III
ACT I
ExpositionRules of SocietyCharactersEvent to introduce conflict
(rising action)Something occurs that is
“different”, goes against the norm
ACT II
Rising ActionMain character attempts either
Escape Change
Climax Characters attempts to fulfill dream
and establishment’s attempts to thwart him reach the point where one side must “win”
ACT III
Falling Action/ ResolutionAftermath of climaxTheme derived from resolutionSuccessful escape or change =
Positive ThemeUnsuccessful = Negative Theme
CharactersArchetypes of Dystopian Literature
Powerful Citizen
Representatives of those in control
The “Establishment” of “The Man”
Typical Citizen
Happy with how things are May be
Fiercely patriotic Aware of flaws, but passive Completely unaware
Disenfranchised
Feels deprived by society
Desires to escape or change
May begin novel loving society Key event occurs that
results in an “eye opening”
May posses some trait or characteristic seen as a “flaw” by others in society that allows for change
Point of ViewNarrative Style
From the inside
Almost always told from the “inside” Member of the society itself Or a newcomer adopted by the
society
Philosophical/Thematic Traits
Individual vs. Establishment
The individual is worth nothing Seen as parts of the whole Only as valuable as their
contribution to the society Easily expendable
Singular Power
One person, or one organization, holds all the power
Power is retained through control of Communication Media Education Culture military
Distraction
Popular culture is used to distract society
Allowing/encouraging Consumerism Drug/alcohol use Mass media consumption
Scapegoat
The establishment finds and uses a scapegoat to deflect blame A foreign enemy A
disenfranchised group
A symbol of the old ways