Have
you ever heard about dystopian literature? What are its characteristic features?
Dystopian literature is a very interesting and original genre. In general, a dystopia is an
unfavorable society, which exists under the negative circumstances. Very often, authors describe the
nearest future and alternate reality, which is characterized with the totalitarian or repressive
society. One must not confuse dystopia with utopia, because the latter denotes the ideal society,
where everyone is satisfied with his lifestyle. The biggest popularity of this genre occurred in the
first half of the 20th century, which is known for numerous international conflicts and the
development of totalitarian regimes in different countries. Many authors focused on the problem of
dystopia in their books; therefore, I would like to pay attention to some of them.
To begin with, I would like to focus on Brave New World written by Aldous Huxley in 1932. The author described his own vision of the alternate society, which is based on the achievements of science and technology. This society is happy, harmonious and humane. Unfortunately, the members of this society do not possess any human qualities. Firstly, they are reproduced artificially in the special centers. Natural reproduction, emotions and individualism are abolished. People are divided into several castes. There are unintelligent servants and intelligent Alphas who ‘rule the world’. Every human being knows his definite place in this society. Happiness is maintained with the help of the encouragement of recreational sex and hallucinogenic drugs. People do not have families, children and any romantic feelings. They live for work, material values and pleasure. People have artificial happiness but they do not possess the freedom of choice.
Another famous book of this genre is Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell. The author imagined a totalitarian society of the highest level. The entire life in the country is directed by the political party, which does not have any opponents. People do not have the right for alternative thoughts and activity. They should watch TV and listen to the elusive success of the leader of the party. They have to support the domestic and foreign policy of the state. The entire world is divided into three huge countries, which are always at war with one another. Moreover, the party imagines new and new enemies in order to keep the society in the constant condition of fear and helplessness. The party oppresses and punishes every attempt of individualism and critical thinking. The history of the state is corrected and rewritten every day. Every human being is a simple element of the huge totalitarian political organism.
The last important dystopian book is Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. His imaginary world is characterized with the totalitarian society and anti-intellectualism. The author showed that the best way of keeping people under control is their ignorance. No wonder, the government of the state prohibited books, because reading is dangerous for people. They can start thinking about their position and their meaningless lifestyle. Consequently, they will want to change the conditions of their life. Finally, they will want to change the government or the leader of the country. The stability of the state is maintained by the class of the ‘firemen’ who do not need to defeat the fire. Their main duty is to burn every outlawed book. Some people keep such books at home remembering about the previous years of the old lifestyle. They are treated like the members of opposition and are punished severely.
Dystopia is a very interesting genre, which demonstrates human negative sides and weaknesses. Every author shows that it is easy to build a totalitarian state but it is difficult to change your worldview and to start thinking critically. Every dystopian book is based on the description of a ‘new world’ or an alternate reality and the main character who tries to change his environment and struggles against the standards of life, which exist in his society.
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