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Delve into the realms of Utopias and Dystopias portrayed in classic science fiction literature like "Brave New World" and "1984." Analyze the societal facets, ethical dilemmas, and imaginative landscapes that shape our understanding of ideal and nightmarish societies.
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“No Place” Model of the good society Unrealistic daydream “The Good Place” Ambiguity of terms Dream place Utopia Eutopia
Aspects of Utopias • Art • Consumerism • Time – energy • Social responsibility • Punishment • Women / Sex • Education and upbringing
Works • Aldous Huxley – Brave New World, 1932 • James Hilton – Lost Horizons, 1933 • B. F. Skinner – Walden Two, 1948 • George Orwell, 1984, 1949 • Ray Bradbury – Fahrenheit 451, 1950 • Aldous Huxley – Island, 1962 • Philip K. Dick – Do Androids--, 1965
Dystopia • Society unworthy of humans • Totalitarian state (1984, Kallocain) • Developmental derailment (Fahrenheit 451) • No choice • No freedom • No alternatives • Equilibrium
Dystopias • Social restrictions • Egalitarian – no excelling • Only the State • Religion as control • Family non-existent • City / Nature • Politics / Control
Dystopias • Economy: state / individual • Back-story • Technology – future • No Visitor – but a Hero • Confrontation with powers • No success • Subversion / Escape
New Wave • Mid-60s • Concern for humanistic values and experimental techniques • Brian Aldiss (Hothouse, 1962) • James Ballard (Crash, 1973) • Harlan Ellison (A Boy and his Dog, 1969)
Cyberpunk • 1980s • Decentralized societies • Dominated by technology and science • Style mirroring the confusing and dazzling world (post-modernity) • William Gibson – Neuromancer, 1984
Questions • Compare and contrast the Utopias / Dystopias in Gulliver’s Travels and NielsKlim. • Focus on the descriptions of: • Education, Ethics, and Morals • War and Enemies • Politics • The Prince and his Court • Everyday Life