Dystopian fiction usually consists of one of three broad themes: “Big Brother,” “Evil Corporation,” or the “Apocalypse. This is the first of a series of posts about each. I’ll first take a look at dystopian fiction and “Big Brother.”
The classic dystopian villain is the totalitarian government. The all powerful and ever present government denies its citizens freedom and basic human rights. The State often is portrayed in socialistic or communistic terms where all means of production are controlled by the government. Science, technology, and religion are shown has tools for the State to exert control over the individual. There is no freedom of expression, speech, or thought. Dissent is treason. Emotional and psychological control of the individual are often key elements.
This form of dystopian fiction is heavily grounded in philosophy and political thought. Common themes include individuality, freedom, war, terror, poverty, oppression, and suffering. The themes are often commentary on existing social, economic, and political conditions.
A list of great “Big Brother” science fiction includes:
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
The Children of Men by PD James
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Logan’s Run by William F Nolan and George Clayton Johnson
V for Vendetta by Alan Moore (series of graphic novels)
I invite others to comment and offer more suggestions.
Next time, I will be looking at the “Evil Corporation.”
