"Some scholars define dystopian literature as a story or novel that takes a dim futuristic look at mankind living either after an apocalyptic event or on the verge of one. Others define dystopia in opposition to utopia, where in trying to create a perfect utopian world, something goes horribly wrong."
For me the latter definition of a dystopia is most fitting because the "dys" in the word "dystopia" implies an Anti-utopia. The first definition, for me, implies that the present day society is a utopia and that only in the future or post-apocalyptic event can there exist a dystopia.
The first example that comes to my mind when thinking of a dystopia is the movie the Truman Show where protagonist Truman Burbank is raised in a false world that is near perfect. What Truman doesn't know is that he is being filmed and his life is a reality TV show for the rest of the world. It is only when he falls in love with the extra Sylvia who becomes part of the "Free Truman" campaign that his near-perfect worlds begins to fall apart and he slowly discovers the truth about his life, or the lack of truth.
I feel that this is a strong example of a dystopia because is represents a fake world that is supposed to be perfect for this one person, but even when it seems to be perfect it isn't since it is all a lie. Then, when it all falls apart it negatively affects everyone and shows its true face as a dystopia.
Could you say that the utopia that was created for Truman was only perfect until he doubted its perfection? Because Truman was immensely happy and content in his role, but as soon as he realized that something fishy was occurring in every facet of his life, he lost faith in what he believed in and started fighting tooth and nail to discover the truth. Would you say that Truman, himself, caused the state of dystopia within his little world?
ReplyDeleteThis movie shows how utopian societies are fragile. Any doubt within the society has the potential to destroy the society. These societies depend on unquestioned loyalty by the people in leaders who enforce their beliefs. When people begin to question their world, disorder begins to manifest itself within the environment, toppling the utopian society.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy books and movies that illustrate strange worlds or controlled societies. Some times these stories are not so fictitious and make you wonder "what if?". Most of these stories show "perfect" societies and how these perfect societies fall apart. The Truman Show, The Giver, and even The Hunger Games showcase strange worlds with helpless or naive citizens. These stories about controlled universes and oblivious people really make me think about things differently and question our own society. I think these stories are meant to make the audience critically examine their world and warn of conspiracy.
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