Dystopian literature and media, like much fiction, allows children and young adults to explore topics that are often emotionally charged or considered taboo in society. One manner in which dystopian literature is unique is that it often delves into timely topics, such as environmental and social issues (i.e., science and technology, and their effects on the human race).
Most dystopian literature focuses on one particular aspect in detail. Often, the results of said detail are exaggerated in dystopian works, thus allowing for in-depth discussion of both the reality and the possibility. For example, in Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood, the possible conclusions of genetic engineering are examined. Although the measures presented in the novel are somewhat extreme, they allow for hypothesizing about how feasible the reality of the future is (according to the novel) given the current state of the world, as well as encouraging readers to perform independent research into the topic to more fully explore the possibilities. Shusterman’s Unwind also serves as an example of exploring social issues (namely abortion) in the context of the present day and the dystopian world.
Other aspects of society, including medicine and health care, the state of the environment, and social issues (racism, capitalism, etc.,) can also be explored in dystopian media. While many of these issues are not directly confronted in the pieces, it is often not a far stretch to bring in those concepts. For example, Lowry’s The Giver allows for the exploration of the idea of colorblindness as it relates to racism. ***(SPOILER ALERT)*** Since characters in the novel are unable to see color (literal colorblindness), it serves as a metaphor for the social colorblindness that many advocate in modern society, and can open discussion on the topic easily.
In addition, the anti-utopian materials in particular allow young people to examine the outcomes of what may seem to be benevolent changes (such as the colorblindness of The Giver) in light of the unexpected consequences of those changes (a loss of identity).
Additional Information
The following resources are very helpful for those who are interested in examining dystopian literature more thoroughly and in discovering effective manners of exploring the genre with young people.
This blog takes a detailed look at dystopian literature by examining individual works within the genre. The author often includes cited references in the entries, making this a very helpful resource for further research.
Wikipedia also has many entries on dystopian films, comics, literature, and music, TV programs, and games. These lists are great starting points towards finding new dystopian materials to examine.
Articles:
Barash, Nanelle R., and David P. Barash. “Biology, Culture, and Persistent Literary Dystopias .” Chronicle of Higher Education 51.15 (2004): B10-11.
This brief article examines the role of biology (most notably reproduction and sex) in the context of several well-known dystopian novels and a recent film.
Buchanan, Brad. “Oedipus in Dystopia: Freud and Lawrence in Huxley’s Brave New World.” Journal of Modern Literature XXV.3/4 (2003): 75-89.
This well-written article looks at well-known Freudian concepts (most notably the Oedipus complex) as they appear in Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World. A great starter discussion piece when examining the influence of society on writers, as well as the representations of many archetypes found in literature.
Hickman, John. “When Science Fiction Writers Used Fictional Drugs: Rise and Fall of the Twentieth-Century Drug Dystopia.” Utopian Studies 20.1 (2009): 141-70.
Hickman’s article compares seven different drug dystopias (dystopias in which the social order is produced or maintained through the use of pharmaceuticals) written between the early and late 1900s, and closely examines the role that pharmaceuticals take in producing the dystopias. A helpful and in-depth examination of social classes in several well-known dystopian pieces, this article is particularly useful for breaching the subject of social order and control.
Houston, Chloe. “Utopia, Dystopia or Anti-utopia? Gulliver’s Travels and the Utopian Mode of Discourse.” Utopian Studies 18.3 (2007): 425-42.
A thorough analysis of Gulliver’s Travels as a utopian paradox, this article attempts to reach a conclusion about what elements create a utopian piece of literature. An excellent article for examining the similarities and differences between utopias, dystopias, and anti-utopias.
Lea, Susan G. “Seeing Beyond Sameness: Using The Giver to Challenge Colorblind Ideology.” Children’s Literature in Education 37.1 (2006): 51-67.
Lea’s article provides a critical examination of the role of the dystopian book The Giver by Lois Lowry in assisting youth in understanding racism in modern society. Included are suggestions for educators in how to combat the effects of the Sameness in their own classrooms.
Parrinder, Patrick. “Entering Dystopia, Entering Erewhon.” Critical Survey 17.1 (2005): 6-21.
This article discusses dystopian romances, as well as examining some of the common themes found in dystopian literature. A great article that covers many well-known and obscure pieces of dystopian literature, as well as building a basic understanding of the genre.
Resch, Robert P. “Utopia, Dystopia, and the Middle Class in George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four.” boundary 2 24.1 (1997): 137-76.
This scholarly article examines the concepts of totalitarianism as explored in Orwell’s 1984. The author attempts to explore the concept of socialist democracy, and to expound on the misconceptions of the political ideologies found in the novel. A great piece for an in-depth analysis of politics found within the book and how those compare to the realities of politics in modern times.
Wheeler, Pat. “Representations of Dystopias in Literature and Film.” Editorial. Critical Survey 17.1 (2005): 1-5.
A quick run-through of the other pieces in a particular issue of Critical Survey, this article does a nice job of summarizing the main points of the pieces. Useful as a companion when exploring the academic articles presented in the issue.