...an adult. But what happens if this question is no long applicable or even necessary? Dystopian novels remove this illusion of choice. In each of the novels I will address, all teenagers attend or participate in a ceremony whereby they transition from young adult to adult. The first series I will address is Scott Westerfield’s Uglies series, where youth undergo plastic surgery as their rite of passage. Maturation and growing up require endure body modifications to create same-ness and the perfectly pretty white race. Second, I will analyze Ally Condie’s Matched series, where social order to determined by sorters who decide vocation and spouses. All teenagers attend a ceremony where a person’s perfect match is determined by a computer program. Lastly, I will use Veronica Roth’s Divergent series to explore how the world is constructed by personality type. Youth choose to participate in factions that are determined by a psychological examination that detects a youth’s instinctual predilections when facing their fears. As readers begin to figure out the rules to this new society, they are challenged to make comparisons to their own world. We are forced to wonder whether or not, as educators, we reinforce stereotypical constructs of adolescence despite our interaction with seemingly critical texts. In the last few years, there has been a tremendous increase in the number of dystopian novels marketed to young adults. The story always begins in media res, where some kind...
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...YA Dystopian Steffan Larsen’s chief points from the article “Why does dad not want to read ‘The Hunger Games’” Young Adult Dystopian fiction has grown as a genre and continues to evolve. But not every generation follows the new genre. Steffen Larsen is giving his thoughts on, why YA Dystopian has not reached his generation, where as books such as Harry Potter have appealed to several generations, including his own. YA Dystopian is one of the biggest and most popular genres today, which is accomplished by hitting the right target group (the teenagers). Steffen Larsen argues why YA Dystopia has not reached his generation as follows: “But most of all- I think- the books tells about manipulation, newspeak and the limits of reality shows”. Here Steffen Larsen reveals his negative view on ‘The Hunger Games’ but also the genre YA Dystopia by using words as manipulation and limits of reality. Particularly the concept of a “reality show” does not have a good renown, especially not in the older generation, where Steffen Larsen belongs. Steffen Larsen’s criticism of ‘The hunger games’ and the genre, could be reasoned with “times have changed” as he also points out: “In the reddish seventies where you overturn capitalist’s and than every thing went good. That is not how it is anymore”. Furthermore, Steffen ironically praises Suzanne Collins for being the only one who tries to dissimulate a new utopia – a dissimulation from which...
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...A text is shaped by the circumstances in which It was composed, this is certainly true of Michael Parkers Doppelganger. Parker s 2006 Dystopian novel illustrates the ideas of thirst for power and darkness within humanity as the protagonist Andrew is placed in a dystopian parallel of his own world. These ideas reflect the major concerns of late 20th century Australian society. Parker examines deeper issues and illuminates universal aspects of the human condition. Parker exposes the potential for the darker side of humanity in Doppelganger, reflecting issues of his context. Cleary derived from themes in modern literature, such as Golding's "Lord of Flies" which examines the conflict between two competing impulses in all human beings, the instinct to live by rules, act peacefully and follow moral commands opposed to acting selfishly to gratify ones immediate desires. The darker side of humanity is introduced through Andrew’s character, an ordinary Australian teenager governed by his philosophy "don’t disturb the world and it won’t disturb you”. Andrew finds himself incapable of standing up for what he knows is right and this is exemplified early in the novel when Josh in an act of unprovoked evil, tears apart miss swains photograph. Andrew, convinced he is “hardwired” to be compliant with josh, aids his vindictive nature as it is easier than standing up for what he knows to be right. Andrew discovers his own darkness in the parallel Sydney, under the influence of mind altering...
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...Dystopia Dystopia is often a society set in the future that has degraded into a repressive and controlled state, often under the control of some form of government but not always. A dystopian society can also be a planned structured society in which the conditions of life are deliberately made miserable. Some examples of these can be characterized by poverty, oppression, violence, disease, scarcity, and/or pollution for the benefit of a select minority or some unnatural societal goal. I am going to discuss how the short story “The Lottery," by Shirley Jackson and the film Demolition Man directed by Marco Brambilla exhibits dystopian. In the short story “They Lottery” the author makes a society where the town people are willing to kill each other in order to preserve a their idea of balance and success. The town in "The Lottery,” have employed what they sees as the fairest way to continue this ancient tradition. “The Lottery” is a story of misguidance and ultimate horror. The way the plot is structured takes the audience from one extreme (a very sunny, happy day) to another (a ghastly murder). The town is described as a simple and beautiful one, with children running and playing, happy to be out of school for the summer. The reader is led to believe that everything is perfect and the community is gathering for a raffle of some kind. After all, the story’s title is “The Lottery”. Lotteries have a positive connotation in most peoples’ mind. Lotteries are usually grouped...
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...In cinematography and literature, dystopia is definitely not a new genre. In different novels, dystopian worlds have been elaborated, such novels include; ‘1984’ by George Orwell, ‘We’ by Zamyatin Yevgeny whose known for his stylistic and ideological contemporary dystopias, and ‘The Time Machine’ by Herbert Wells – the novel demonstrates the weird symbiosis of Eloi and Morlocks. In the side of cinematography, films/movies such as 12 monkeys, V for Vendetta, The Matrix and Brasilia have demonstrated the dystopia genre. However, dystopia has regrettably turned into a popular genre over the years. This is as a result of the one-dimensional, flat and simplified state in characters, storylines and style in the present dystopian movies. The Hunger...
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...D'Andre Mickens Mr. Gamwell E Block 7 April 2014 Imperfect Perfect World Some people believe that a utopian world may be better than a less perfect world, yet the imperfections of a utopian society realistically outweighs its ultimate goal of perfection. Perfection is defined as the condition, state, or quality of being free or as free as possible from all flaws or defects. When it comes down to it, a utopian society has many rules and regulations. Yet, if a so called perfect society is so perfect, then there should be no need for any rules or regulations. However, a Utopia's goal of perfection in itself is a contradiction, because of its goal of being "more perfect and less free" (Huxley 1). As a matter of fact a utopian society would be like a heaven on earth. At the same time there is not really a unified view of utopia. All views of utopia involves change which affects human systems and institutions. How can a society aim to be perfect when by definition freedom is needed in order to be perfect. In fact that's something people still find hard to understand and today's society. Have you ever ask yourself what is freedom,it's the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. Foremost this is something they didn't have at the time of the utopian society. Well by definition a utopia is a perfect world where everything is prefect and equal but you have no freedom to do what you want; Basically your life is scripted like a book. However...
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...Introduction It was the year of 1516 when Utopia was brought into being by Sir Thomas Moore, and from then on to the 19th century, utopian fiction has experienced a development and a dramatic turn into just the opposite tone, dystopian. These two distinctive streams in British literature, with a same distant source, contain totally different settings—if the utopian novels have demonstrated the perfectly idealized future society for mankind, then the dystopian ones describe the least ideal society, and it is usually considered that a dystopia is the vision of a society in which condition of life are miserable and characterized by poverty, oppression, war, violence, disease, pollution, nuclear fallout and/or the abridgement of human rights, resulting in widespread unhappiness, suffering, and other kinds of pain.1 As material civilization develops into a certain level and can be considered as more than sufficient, then the world is superior to spiritual civilization; however human spirit is the reflection and is controlled by the substances. So, in a highly-developed society with rich material life and high technology, human spirit indeed has no real freedom. Of course, flooding modernized technologies provide human beings a better living condition, but they are covering up an empty and weak spiritual world. Human beings are made to be squeezed to become the flat and instrumental existence surround by machines which makes them feel it is a perfect world. It is obvious...
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...forced to adapt to the difficulty of the dystopia. Ultimately, the New World was a combination of both utopian and dystopian qualities. There is a major contrast between utopias and dystopias. Each is characterized by opposite qualities, making the two entirely different. While a utopia is considered to be a perfect world that is void of conflict, a dystopia is regarded as an imperfect world that is full of difficulty. Although these definitions appear to be rather definitive, the New World shows a correlation to both. However, it is clear that the New World has more correspondence to a dystopia than to a utopia. The New World presents several utopian qualities. A utopia is characterized by a peaceful, safe environment, abundant with opportunity. Utopias are generally considered to be perfect. Ideally, a utopia would be free of any conflict, poverty or disease. The New World offered the settlers a chance at a new life. They viewed it as a land full of knowledge and undiscovered resources. In Christopher Columbus’ Letter, he affirms that the beautiful land is perfect for planting and sowing, as well as building towns and villages (Belasco 82). Everyone was treated equally and they worked together to grow as a community. These are all characteristics of a utopia. Although the New World consists of many utopian attributes, a larger majority of them are dystopian. A dystopia is a place full of difficulty and hardships. It is unorganized, chaotic, and dangerous. When the settlers...
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...Dystopian world’s are interesting since they create a world parallel to our own to attack some part of society indirectly. In Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury shows us how people’s hunger for happiness can completely turn our world over so that our values no longer exist, leaving only our selfish need of technology. Another author, Jack London, conveys through his book the social injustice of their society on the working class because of the money hungry upper class that takes place in the past. Then there’s Robocop that takes place in the present of the past, if that makes sence, and it shows how corrupt the government is, as well as… Fahrenheit 451: A society is made up of people living together in a circle. However, that sense of community is non-existent in Montag’s world....
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...from the subtheme dystopia, the strict definition of dystopia is : where everything is as bad as it can be. Dystopia can be hugely linked to Human Condition. The clouds symbolize the utopian world outside of prison and the knitwear symbolizes being in prison. The extra long sleeve that cover the hands show that there is no way of getting out of this restricted world. It can also link with the inevitability of death or suicidal because a dystopian environment such as the prison can be too restricted that people would think dying is a form of freedom. The understanding of 'nothing' varies widely between cultures, especially between Western and Eastern cultures and philosophical traditions. In some Eastern philosophies, the concept of "nothingness" is characterized by an egoless state of being in which one fully realizes one's own small part in the world. In my opinion, the state “nothing” is very beautiful and full of melancholy at the same time. There is no other characters other than 無 that can express the mood of dystopia better. In a dystopian...
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...Miss Drita Krasniqi 20A Cherrydown Avenue E4 8DP 07456409159 dritakrasniqi@live.com Profile I believe a meaningful life is about aiming high and gaining experiences in the different work forces. I aspire to become an accountant or psychologist in the future after graduation, however I would like to have a current job to gain experience. My school years have encouraged me to aspire high and achieve the best that I can and never give up. The school has helped me to enhance my cooperation and communication skills and the ability to learn new strategies. I am a hard working, enthusiastic individual with a positive attitude. I have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and have experience of dealing with a wide range of people from different backgrounds. I am a quick learner with the ability to think laterally, problem-solve and multi-tasking. i have the ability to meet deadlines and work well under pressure. I also have good planning and organisation skills and speak fluent Albanian. I hope you enjoyed what you have read and would really appreciate you taking me on. Experience Shine, Chingford Hall Primary School Teacher's Assisatant February 2013 – February 2014 During my time at Chingford Hall Primary School my main skills achieved is being able to apply my knowledge to help the children learn. I also learnt how to adapt my communication skills so the children can understand. Education Rushcroft Foundation School iGCSE English Language B (predicted) GCSE Rushcroft...
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...quest and search are hallmarks of dystopian fiction. The movie’s use of imagery, symbols, places, and other objects reinforce the vast dystopian society that Earth has become. The opening scene of the movie, as well as other key scenes, reflect the result of the overconsumption, wasteful consumerism that is plaguing modern man. According to Wall-E’s director, if man does not change his wasteful way, then a grotesque, dead Earth is in our future. Things to mention/prove in the paper based on the opening paragraph: WALL-E’s adventurous quest and search for love as the main storyline Key point: Seemingly innocuous, children’s entertainment. Wall-E’s quest and search are hallmarks of dystopian fiction Key point/task: apply the five essentials of dystopian fiction to Wall-E Wall-E is left alone on a desolate Earth marred by trash and devoid of life The only viable sign of life is the cockroach The cockroach is the only being that could survive a nuclear holocaust (research this) Its seemingly indestructible nature is depicted in the film when Wall-E runs over it. The cockroach springs back into form, unharmed. Transition point: Wall-E’s world on a future Earth is dismal because of the landscape and lack of human interaction. Key point: Wall-E is lonely and deeply desires companionship/love (Eve) In Wall-E, the lack of human interaction and companionship fosters its classification as an accurate depiction of dystopian fiction. (movie’s use of imagery, there are...
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...blue world that never ends, and if they look down the deep black pavement that brings them more down and distinguishes itself like hell. A dystopia is basically a community where there is corruption or cruelty where people are destined to suffer. Have you ever thought what your life would be deserted in a snowy world where there is nobody there to accompany you? You are starving and there is no more food left to devour on or water to drink. Would you die of hunger or eat other humans alive? In the film The Road, directed by John Hillcoat presents a dystopian vision with a man and a boy trying to survive a post-apocalyptic world where there is no form of food or shelter. The author uses dramatic visual rhetoric, sympathetic rhetorical appeals, and intensive dialogue to convey how cruel humanity can become in a sense of desperation. First of all, in the film The Road presents dramatic visual rhetoric to help understand the dystopian world where desperation is notable. Where images are seen as too sickening to watch they serve to open the audience’s eyes into a more direct sense of agony. The film begins with the image centralized in a beautiful brown horse then switching visuals to a pregnant woman. This horse symbolizes freedom and high energy as you would expect in a horse making the viewer believe that the world was meant to be in a perfect world or a utopia. Now the pregnant woman represents a picture that is full of life where people are supposed to be cheerful and raise a...
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...I. Characteristics A utopia is described as a perfect, highly desirable society where all citizens live in peace. The job of a utopian society, whether it is real or not, is to create a desirable goal for all people. "An ideal may be reasonably defined as a standard of perfection supremely desirable but not fully attainable",(Bottiglia). An example of a place that fits these standards is Eldorado from Voltaire’s Candide. Candide stumbled upon this place of great wealth and beauty with Cacambo and thought it must be the best possible world, therefore a utopia. “Fountains of pure water, rose-water, and sugar-cane liqueur played unceasingly in public squares, which were paved with a kind of precious stone smelling of cloves and cinnamon”,(Butt 81). This is a description of Eldorado from Candide’s perspective. Eldorado is described as the most beautiful of all places making it seem like it must be the perfect community. Although Candide believed that utopia existed, one perfect society is not possible. A common and almost necessary characteristic of a utopian society is that it is cut off from the rest of the world, just as Eldorado is, (The Meaning of Eldorado: Utopia and satire in Candide). “It is a basic characteristic of a utopian community that it be radically cut off from the world outside”,(Eldorado as an Impossible Dream). You cannot reach Eldorado by searching for it, as shown by Candide and Cacambo, they came upon this area on accident. The difficult and almost impossible...
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...In Ayn Rand’s Anthem, mankind destroys all traces of their materialistic and individualistic past to form a utopia. This so-called utopia is actually more of a dystopian society. Dystopias are defined as an imagined place that is usually totalitarianistic and environmentally degraded. Anthem’s society is one of these societies, due to the tyrannical leadership, lack of technological advancements, the indoctrination of people, beginning at birth, and the loss of individualism. The tyrannical leadership is shown through the ruthless enforcement of unreasonable laws. People were “burned alive in the square of the City” (Rand 49), and theft was punishable by “ten years in the Palace of Corrective Detention” (Rand 18). Technology was also severely...
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