Welcome!

[mrsanderson]

Hello all!

While you might still be too young to register properly for this board, you can still use the resources. You can also post any questions here as a guest.

Here are the clips from different dystopian fictions we were looking at last week:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMGRhAEn6K0 (The Hunger Games)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdyKJ1xXph8 (1984)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhsWzJo2sN4 (Apple ad - 1984)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VT2apoX90o (Children of Men)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBkvcQEGq9k (Eighth Day - Hazel O' Conner)

I don't think I've missed any (except that awful version of Brave New World we stumbled upon!) but do let me know if you notice any. ;D

[sarahkellyxxx]

Is iRobot a dystopian fiction??

[sarahkellyxxx]

Or War of The Worlds? Or The Matrix?

[mrsanderson]

Hi Sarah,

If we go by the definition we wrote down, then I, Robot is dystopian in a way, but War of the Worlds isn't, because people are not controlled by a government denying them their freedom - they are attacked by aliens, which is more of a sci-fi genre marker.

I haven't seen The Matrix!

Have a good weekend ;D

[jodiemurray]

What about Harry Potter??? Does that count as a dystopian fiction?

[mrsanderson]

I'd agree that there are elements of dystopia in the later novels, particularly when the ministry falls in the final novel, and Pius Thickness is installed as Minister for Magic. Obviously, he's being controlled by Voldemort's followers via the Imperius curse and therefore his actions involve denying the Wizarding community freedom of movement and 'classifying' them by their blood status. I'd say, though, that that's an allegorical nod to Hitler's campaign for a pure race. It's been suggested that the Death Eaters are a metaphor for Nazi soldiers.

;D

[jodiemurray]

dont spoil anything!!!!!!!!!!! im still on book 2

[mrsanderson]

Ah! Okay. I won't. There aren't any real spoilers in my post - nothing that'll ruin the next five books for you! The third and fourth are my favourites.

[jodiemurray]

how far r u guys on the hunger games??? has she used the tracker jackers?

[fraserbarbour]

theres this tv programe on now (now right now but in this week) called "tera nova" it that a dystopia?

[mrsanderson]

Hello, Fraser.

I had never heard of Terra Nova until you mentioned it. I've had a look, but it looks more like science fiction to me - time travel and a futuristic setting.

Remember, our genre description for a dystopia is:

'a very restricted (possibly post-apocalyptic) setting where a controlling government restricts the freedom of its people in some way'.

;D