CONVENTIONS OF DYSTOPIAN FICTION
This type of government usually controls every aspect of citizens' lives.
What is a totalitarian government?
This type of character usually questions authority and begins the revolution.
Who is the Rebel?
George Orwell wrote this famous political allegory featuring pigs.
What is Animal Farm?
This literary device gives an object a deeper meaning beyond its literal one.
What is symbolism?
This idea explores people's desire to make their own choices.
What is freedom?
This technology allows governments to constantly watch and monitor their citizens.
What is surveillance?
This type of character supports the government and follows orders without question.
Who is the Conformist (or Enforcer)?
This novel follows Winston Smith as he rebels against Big Brother.
What is 1984?
Animal Farm uses this extended form of symbolism to represent the Russian Revolution.
What is allegory?
This idea explores governments using fear to maintain authority.
What is oppression?
This opposite of a utopia appears perfect at first but is deeply flawed.
What is a dystopia?
This type of character often provides wisdom or guidance to the protagonist.
Who is the Mentor?
Ray Bradbury imagined a future where these objects are illegal.
What are books?
This occurs when the audience knows more than the characters.
What is dramatic irony?
This idea examines the conflict between the individual and society.
What is individuality versus conformity?
This method of control involves limiting access to books, news and information.
What is censorship?
This type of character begins loyal to the regime before questioning everything they once believed.
Who is the Reluctant Hero (or Converted Conformist)?
Lois Lowry's novel centres on a boy chosen to receive humanity's memories.
What is The Giver?
This literary device exaggerates reality to highlight society's fears about the future
What is hyperbole?
Many dystopian novels ask whether advances in this field make humanity better or worse.
What is technology?
Why oppressive governments often remove individuality.
What is to make people easier to control, discourage rebellion and create conformity?
Two dystopian archetypes and explain how they create conflict within the narrative.
Who are the
This author wrote There Will Come Soft Rains, imagining a world where technology survives after humanity.
Who is Ray Bradbury?
Apart from symbolism and allegory, this literary devices is repeated and also commonly found in dystopian fiction to represent a bigger idea.
What is a motif?
Many dystopian authors exaggerate current social issues instead of writing realistic stories for the purpose of their readers.
What is to warn readers about possible futures, critique society, provoke critical thinking and encourage change?