Dystopian Novels
“Young people are also keenly aware that they live in a world in which since September 11, 2001, there has been an increase in inexplicable violence and unmitigated terror. Hence readers have noticed the popularity of stories and novels in which the lead characters confront a world that has seemingly been turned upside down.” (Hayn & Kaplan 26)
“These novels implore readers to preserve the power over their own lives, but they also illustrate that such power is gained primarily through the concerted actions of a community” (Hayn & Kaplan 102)
“By witnessing futuristic societies no one would want to inhabit, adolescent readers can imagine a future they desire, envisioning a present that can begin to build toward that future” (Hayn & Kaplan 102)
“These novels implore readers to preserve the power over their own lives, but they also illustrate that such power is gained primarily through the concerted actions of a community” (Hayn & Kaplan 102)
“By witnessing futuristic societies no one would want to inhabit, adolescent readers can imagine a future they desire, envisioning a present that can begin to build toward that future” (Hayn & Kaplan 102)
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Other books in the series: Pretties, Specials, Extras
***
This novel forces young readers to consider the value placed on beauty in today's society. In Tally's world, every teen undergoes an operation that takes them from an "ugly" to an anatomically perfect "pretty." What member's in this society don't realize is that the operation removes more than their acne and baby fat. The surgery has effects far beyond the physical. Tally must grapple with the implications of this in deciding if the price of being pretty is really worth the cost.
Questions to consider:
Other books in the series: Pretties, Specials, Extras
***
This novel forces young readers to consider the value placed on beauty in today's society. In Tally's world, every teen undergoes an operation that takes them from an "ugly" to an anatomically perfect "pretty." What member's in this society don't realize is that the operation removes more than their acne and baby fat. The surgery has effects far beyond the physical. Tally must grapple with the implications of this in deciding if the price of being pretty is really worth the cost.
Questions to consider:
- What value is placed on beauty in our society? Do you agree or disagree with the way we value physical appearance?
- How does Tally transform in her values from the start to the end of the novel?
- What do you think of Tally's decision at the end of the book? What would you do?
- Consider the way Tally's society views the "past" (our current society). What did you think of their reactions to the magazines and artifacts they found?
- What did you think of Tally's parents? Discuss the ways adults were portrayed in this novel.
- Are the pretties truly happy? Do you think what they experience is genuine?
- Imagine you are Tally at the end of the novel. Write a letter to yourself. How would you persuade your "pretty" self to remember why you got the operation and why you have to go back.
- Create a visual representation of one of the areas in Tally's world (either the smoke or new pretty town).
Matched by Ally Condie
Part of a trilogy: Check out Crossed and Reached
***
Imagine a world without divorce. Hard to do in today's society, isn't it? In Cassia's world, the "society" picks your perfect match, eliminating the possibility of a failed match. Experts use an all knowing data system to discover each persons ideal mate based on physical and mental characteristics. Every teen looks forward to their match banquet when they finally discover the partner they will spend their lives with. But when Cassia discovers she has two matches, she beings to question this approach. She begins to fight for the right to chose.
Questions to consider:
Part of a trilogy: Check out Crossed and Reached
***
Imagine a world without divorce. Hard to do in today's society, isn't it? In Cassia's world, the "society" picks your perfect match, eliminating the possibility of a failed match. Experts use an all knowing data system to discover each persons ideal mate based on physical and mental characteristics. Every teen looks forward to their match banquet when they finally discover the partner they will spend their lives with. But when Cassia discovers she has two matches, she beings to question this approach. She begins to fight for the right to chose.
Questions to consider:
- Do you think Cassia's choice reflects her true feelings? Or is she influenced by her desire to go against the society?
- Similarly, is there some value in the societies matching process, since the marriages we see seem appear to be genuinely happy? Or do you think couples are happy simply because they are under the impression that they are with the perfect match?
- Like many characters in dystopian novels, Cassia is content with society until she begins to discover the inner workings of those in power. Do you think she would have been better off if she hadn't found out the truth? Is ignorance bliss in this case?
- What did you think of the society's choice to limit artwork, literature, and music to a hundred selections? What is the value in a society with a less "cluttered" culture? What is the harm?
- Create a profile for yourself similar to the ones the society keeps for each individual. What would be listed as your strengths and weaknesses? Which profession to you think you would be sorted into? Then create a profile for what they would look for in your perfect match.
- Create your own version of the Hundred Songs, Hundred Paintings, Hundred Poems, or Hundred Stories? Pick a few pieces that you would include if you were in charge of choosing these for society.
Feed by M.T. Anderson
****
Imagine being bombarded with commercial advertisements and media at all times. Sounds a lot like today's reality, right? But imagine if you couldn't escape. Imagine if these messages were inside of your head. Imagine if advertisers could read your thoughts and send you the perfect advertisements to tempt you at all the right moments. This is what life is like for Titus and his friends, who have a "feed" implanted in their brains. It keeps them constantly entertained and stimulated. Titus doesn't question his convenient lifestyle, until he meets Violet. How safe is the feed? What happens to those without it? Titus is about to find out. Students will be shocked by how closely this dystopian world seems to match technology today, where the internet can track everything you do online in order to customize the ads you see. The remarkable similarities between the novel and our society are sure to spark questions in students, the way they did for Titus.
Questions to Consider:
****
Imagine being bombarded with commercial advertisements and media at all times. Sounds a lot like today's reality, right? But imagine if you couldn't escape. Imagine if these messages were inside of your head. Imagine if advertisers could read your thoughts and send you the perfect advertisements to tempt you at all the right moments. This is what life is like for Titus and his friends, who have a "feed" implanted in their brains. It keeps them constantly entertained and stimulated. Titus doesn't question his convenient lifestyle, until he meets Violet. How safe is the feed? What happens to those without it? Titus is about to find out. Students will be shocked by how closely this dystopian world seems to match technology today, where the internet can track everything you do online in order to customize the ads you see. The remarkable similarities between the novel and our society are sure to spark questions in students, the way they did for Titus.
Questions to Consider:
- What did you make of the "lesions?" Why were they considered cool? Why was it "sexy" that you could see inside Quendy once she got the lesions? Can you see this relating to any trends in society today?
- Describe the role of language in the novel, both the language used by Titus/his friends and the language used by Violet's father. What do you think the author was trying to show?
- How did you interpret the end of the novel? What was meant by "everything must go?"
- What similarities or differences do you see between the novel and our world today? Do you think it is realistic that this could happen, given the direction technology is moving?
- Create an advertisement interlude for one of the chapters, similar to the ones that were throughout the book. This interlude should be relevant to the chapter's action, but subtle enough to get your classmates thinking.