Opposite of a Utopia
Characterized by Dehumanization
"Beneath this mask there is more than flesh. There is an idea, Mr. Creedy, and ideas are bullet-proof."
V said this quote to Mr. Creedy when Mr. Creedy was trying to kill him. During Creedy's death, V suggests that he will still be alive because his ideas won't die with him. This relates to dystopian societies because it shows that in these societies the government is very powerful and it is very hard to get the word out. V is saying that this can all be changed with just an idea. Ideas are bullet proof. Especially when that idea is spread to many people, not all of them can be killed, that idea will live on forever, on a scrap of paper, carved on a wall, graffitied in an alleyway, when an idea is spread around to many people, it becomes more then bullet proof. If there is an idea in my head, it will always be there, even after I die because an idea lives forever.
The Tribe (School Sonnet)
To some, the “Tribe” is nothing but an acronym
To others, it’s a cliché and social game
Some people shine bright, outsiders are left dim
Students are known specifically for their name
Popularity is determined by the “Tribe”
The more you associate, the more you are recognized
No one is admitted unless you provide social bribes
“The Ridge is better at everything” is a lie
A dystopian phrase
Walking through the halls with everyone’s attention
Our world is in a haze
No one worthy will get a mention
If these are the ways of the Tribe
Don’t include me for the ride
Dystopian Paragraphs
A dystopia is the idea of a society that is under a controlled state, often under the disguise of being Utopian. Dystopian societies feature different kinds of social control systems, various forms of active and passive forcefulness. Health care is one of the examples of dystopian nature within the government that controls society. Back in the day, a person could get sick and then pay to go to the doctor. Today, they have no other choice but to pay for health care. American medical centers have changed in the way that in the past only people with money could go to the doctor. Now anyone can go and seek medical help. Those who have money are controlled by the government and must pay for health care. Another real world example for government control would be for information. The government of the United States of America gets to choose what information gets out to the public and what is kept from them. One famous video titled collateral murder is an example of how the public isn’t supposed to be see certain military acts that take place. In this video, shot from an Apache helicopter gun-sight, clearly shows the unprovoked slaying of a wounded Reuters employee and his rescuers. Two young children involved in the rescue were also seriously wounded.
In today’s society, most people are programed to be afraid of other powers outside the country. Most people are afraid to upset other countries or people and prefer isolationism, because of their fear of terrorist attacks and other such dangers. In some cases, the government sometimes tries to create these ideas in order to make people fear the outside world and depend more on the government. A real world example of an attack that caused Americans to fear other countries would the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers. The republican and democratic parties are an additional example of dystopian society currently facing society. These two parties make citizens conform and shun individuality. Many people have the idea that one can choose to be a republican or a democrat, nothing in between. You either vote democrat or republican, otherwise your vote doesn't count. Citizens must conform and choose one side, and those who don’t care are often shunned or considered less significant. Today as well in the past, America has shown signs of propaganda managing society. Posters such as the classic “I want you for the U.S. Army” represent this common trend. The government makes what they want to look good. If it looks great to citizens, they will want what the government wants them to want. This poster from the World Wars makes the idea of participating in the war as the patriotic and right thing to do. They use a pleasing image and colors to attract people to the poster and make them want to join the military. Propaganda also manages much of the presidential elections because it may change someone’s view just by showing a picture, word, or phrase that may be pleasing to the viewer. This is the same idea that commercials and advertisements use. These are all examples of how we are a dystopian society today.
"Collateral Murder." Collateral Murder. WikiLeaks, 5 Apr. 2010. Web. 3 Dec. 2013.
Riendeau, Danielle. "The Weekly Geek: Healthcare Dystopia." AfterEllen.com. N.p., 25 Mar. 2010. Web. 03 Dec. 2013.
Dystopian Wordle
"Spies" (Coldplay)
I said, how do you live as a fugitive
Down here where I cannot see so clear
I said, what do I know
Show me the right way to go
And the spies came out of the water
But you're feeling so bad cos you know
But the spies hide out in every corner
But you can’t touch them no
Cos they’re all spies
They’re all spies
I awake to see that no one is free
We’re all fugitives
Look at the way we live
Down here I cannot sleep from fear no
I said which way do I turn
I forget everything I learned
But the spies came out of the water
But you’re feeling so bad cos you know
But the spies hide out in every corner,
But you can’t touch them no
Cos they’re all spies they’re all spies
And if we don’t hide here
They’re going to find us
If we don’t hide now
They’re going to catch us where we sleep
And if we don’t hide here
They’re going to find us
And the spies came out of the water
And you’re feeling so good cos you know
That those spies hide out in every corner
They can’t touch you no
Cos they’re just spies
They’re just spies
They’re just spies
They’re just spies
They’re just spies
A dystopia is a community or society that is in some important way undesirable or frightening. This type of society was shown in 1984. The song “Spies” by Coldplay is great theme song to represent the book 1984. Even from the title, it starts relating to 1984 and dystopian societies in general. Spies are exactly what Winston was afraid of in Oceania and how he could be seen doing something that we wasn’t supposed to be doing. The lyrics say “I awake to find no peace of mind, I said, how do you live as a fugitive, Down here where I cannot see so clear.” This is how I imagine Winston feels waking up every day in Oceania and finding out he has to live another day in the ever so controlling world where he is monitored 24/7. When Winston was captured, he was surprised when all the guards came out; they were unexpected. The lyrics “And the spies came out of the water, But you're feeling so bad cos you know, But the spies hide out in every corner, But you can’t touch them no, Cos they’re all spies, They’re all spies” show that Winston was always being watched and sometimes he didn’t even know he was being watched. When Obrien becomes in charge of Winston’s torture, Winston couldn’t believe that someone he knew that well was a party member and this is represented in the song by “They’re all spies.” This whole song overall describes the thought police and how they are always watching everything that goes on in this society. It also shows how the telescreens see everything that goes on in everyday life.
Non-Conformists
Friday, Dec 20, 2013, 03:00 PM
The Capitol House, 11th Street Southeast, Washington, DC, United States
Trends as Mini Dystpias
An example of a dystopian trend would be the Ku Klux Klan. The KKK is a white supremacy, anti-immigration, and anti-communist group. Members adopted white costumes: robes, masks, and conical hats, designed to be outlandish and terrifying and to hide their identities. They participated in events like cross burnings, attacks, night rides, hangings, and violent behavior to those they don't like. This is dystopian because they dress the same, believe the same concepts, and all participate in the same events and activities. Today they are more subtle and just participate in things like protests, marches, and gatherings.
Citations
"1984 by George Orwell. Orwell, George. 1984. Ed. Erich Fromm. New York: Harcourt, 1949.
Coldplay. Spies. EMI Records, Ltd., 2011. CD.
"Collateral Murder." Collateral Murder. WikiLeaks, 5 Apr. 2010. Web. 3 Dec. 2013.
Riendeau, Danielle. "The Weekly Geek: Healthcare Dystopia." AfterEllen.com. N.p., 25 Mar. 2010. Web. 03 Dec. 2013.
V for Vendetta. Dir. James McTeigue." Warner Bros.: 2006, Film.