Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Dystopia

In this unit we focused on two dystopia novels: 1984 by George Orwell and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. We were originally introduced to George Orwell through essays he has written and focused a lot on the topic of double-speak, or words which mean something they are not saying (ie. collateral damage for civilians killed). We also focused a lot on the aspects of both novels that are already prevalent in society, concluding in an essay debating whether Orwell's world or Huxley's world would be more likely to happen in modern times. The unit focuses a lot on the applications of the dystopia to modern times, and ended with a focus on the topic of "designer babies". We were required to write a blog taking a stance on different issues regarding the topic at the conclusion of the unit.

Brief Sample Analysis:
Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

Margaret Atwood's Handmaid's Tale is a look at a dystopian society in which women and men are palced on different levels of society that cannont be changed unless moved down. Offred, the main character, is a relatively high up on the women's society ladder. Above her are Aunts and Wives. Below her are the housekeeperss and unwomen (the lowest level).
Through Atwood's use of first person narrative, she more effectively portrays the tension, awkwardness, fear, and other emotions that surround Atwood's life. One scene which could not have been portrayed as well as any other point of view was the ceremony scene in which Ofreed's "commander" tries to impregnate her while the awkwardness around the commander and bitterness around the wife shine through with Atwood's rhetoric. She keeps a stream of conciousness throughout to emphasize Offred's feelings in the situations, as well as allow her to focus to on the happiness she had in the past in contrast to the distress of her current life.

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