A Guide to Dystopias

For lovers of literature, dystopias were certainly fundamental to literary training. With controversial themes and under a context of totalitarian societies, dystopias are also present in audiovisuals as in the Black Mirror series.

Do you want to understand a little more about what a dystopia is? Let's go ahead!

A dystopian work is a subgenre of science fiction and, in general, brings a speculative narrative about futuristic societies. It is characterized by authoritarian political regimes, where the State and its ruling class use Science and reason as tools of mass control. Standardization of conduct and social behavior and the normalization and reproduction of inequalities are recurring themes in these narratives.

In ancient Greek dystopia means literally "bad place". The word is used to describe a place, a time, or an imaginary society, where characters live, in some cases, precariously, under an authoritarian regime, in which everything is organized oppressively and frighteningly.

Dystopia is the opposite of utopia, get it?

Dystopias and their thematic developments are the mottoes of some of the greatest classics. This theme brings up fundamental discussions for our society.

Today, let's start with the classics "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley, and "1984" by George Orwell.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Originally published in 1932, Brave New World is a fiction work that portrays a distant future, quite technological, in which there is strong control by the government, not only of people's actions but also psychologically.

In this highly hierarchical caste society, quite similar to India, people are unable to change their social class and, consequently, their lives.

Another fundamental point of this work is SOMA, a kind of drug or medicine served daily to keep the population alienated.

With a strong scenario, this is a book suitable for those who want to know more about the origins of dystopia. Huxley is certainly one of the greatest writers in history, and knowing what is considered by many to be his greatest work is a must for any writer. 

 1984 by George Orwell

1984 is probably George Orwell's Mona Lisa. 

He is an excellent author and has another classic dystopia: the also famous "The Animal Farm", but 1984 is still his most cult work. 

In this artwork, Orwell brings a society divided into three territories constantly at war. This context allows him to generate one of his main criticisms: wars are created to keep a society satisfied with unlimited spending. The society of 1984 is inspired by the totalitarian regimes in force between the 1930s and 1940s.

Do you know where the term BIG BROTHER comes from?

Long considered a classic, this book is the basis for several other works of the genre. Furthermore, it was where the concept of "Big Brother – the Big Brother" came from, since, in the book, people were constantly watched, even in the comfort of their homes.

“War is Peace, Liberty is Slavery, and Ignorance is Strength” 

(1984, by George Orwell)

So, did you like it? 

Did you already know about these dystopias? 

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