Dystopian Fiction

Why is the setting important in "The Refusal?"

• Dystopian stories are always set away from the power/government

• It shows how the setting can make things more confusing in the story.

• It helps the reader understand where the story takes place so they won't go there.

• The reader knows what to expect based on the location.

What is the main theme of "Harrison Bergeron?"

• Loss of Individuality

• Interference in Health and Genetics

• Surveillance

• Misinformation

What year is "Harrison Bergeron" set in?

• 2020

• 1961

• 2081

• 1946

What is the warning in "Harrison Bergeron?" Choose all that apply.

• Making everyone the same is dangerous

• In the process of becoming the same, people could be hurt

• Don't give up your uniqueness

• I'm too tired to think of another silly answer

Dystopian fiction is a type of speculative fiction:

• True

• False

Margaret Atwood thinks dystopian fiction is appealing to readers because it...

• Forces us to look back in history.

• Takes problems we already see in our society and casts them into the future, when they have become way worse.

• Paints a highly realistic portrait of our current situation.

• Is complete fantasy with no connection to reality.

Dystopian fiction can be...

• a great form of escapism, because it has no connection to the here-and-now.

• a boring thing your teacher makes you think about for a grade :-)

• a way to educate and warn humanity about the dangers of current social and political structures.

The central theme of dystopian fiction usually falls under one of these five categories:

• 1. Government control

  2. Environmental progress and purity

  3. Beneficial technologu

  4. Ponies!

  5. Freedom

• 1. Governmental freedom

  2. Environmental destruction

  3. Benevolent AI

  4. Thriving society

  5. An emphasis on the indivudual

• 1. Government control

  2. Environmental destruction

  3. Technological control

  4. Survival

  5. Loss of individualism

Government in dystopian fiction is generally...

• corrupt, and wields far too much control.

• fantastic -- optimized for individuals to thrive

• a mix of good and bad elements.

• exactly like our own.

The environment in dystopian fiction tends to be...

• Thriving

• Beautiful

• In trouble / destroyed.