Dystopian literature, a genre that paints a grim and often chilling portrait of the future, has captivated readers for centuries. This concept of a perfect world soon became the backdrop against which dystopian narratives would contrast their bleak visions. Over time, as society evolved, so did the themes of dystopian literature, reflecting contemporary fears and speculations about the future.
Today, dystopian novels continue to offer profound insights into human nature and the consequences of our actions, serving as both a warning and a reflection of the times we live in. From the early cautionary tales to the complex narratives of the modern era, the history of dystopian literature is a fascinating journey through the collective anxieties and hopes of humanity.
What is a utopia in literature?
The term “utopia” originated in the early 1500s as an idea created by Sir Thomas More and refers to a society where perfection and stability have been attained. Throughout history, though, many authors have taken that idea and used its exact opposite as a literary device to motivate their stories.
The ‘anti-utopias’ or ‘dystopias’ take place in societies where the people live in constant fear and control of their governing body, live meaningless lives, and have very little hope for any amount of change to take place.
I will now take a brief walkthrough of dystopias throughout the history of English literature.
While dystopian literature really didn’t come into the mainstream until the 20th century, the 19th also held a few stories of significant importance to the emergence of the genre. One of the most important was a novel written in 1863 by Jules Verne entitled “Paris in the Twentieth Century.” It tells the tale of a young man who has graduated college with a degree in literature; however, all of the arts in Paris are government-controlled.
Without being able to use what he learned in school to make a living for himself, he finds he is running out of money and has no place to live. He is freezing to death at the end of the novel and walking the streets of Paris.
There are mechanical wonders of all sorts, but nothing that will keep him warm, and he becomes more and more delirious. He eventually dies after reflecting on how his society’s lack of the arts ultimately led to the death of many innocent people.
This dystopian epic paints the picture of a world without art and warns that it is a cold and mechanized future.
In 1895, H.G. Wells wrote “The Time Machine”. The story tells the tale of a 19th-century inventor who discovers the secrets of time travel. While his travels take him to various times in the future, and some are wonderful, he ultimately ends up in a future where humanity has devolved into horrid creatures called the Morlocks. There is an upper class of humans in this same future, but they came to be desensitized and highly uneducated because of years without war or challenges.
The lower Morlocks, however, have become violent and aggressive beasts who attempt to kill everything they see. The story warns of the dangers of human class systems over centuries and the ability of man to be both angelic and hellish. The story, much like the society it details, begins in harmony and ends in disaster.
One of the more modern examples of a dystopian epic in the 20th century was Anthony Burgesses’ 1962 novel A Clockwork Orange.
The novel takes place in an alternate reality in England, where gangs roam the streets and rape and murder are a common occurrence. The main character is the leader of one of the gangs that terrorizes the innocence of England and cares nothing for people’s emotions or property.
By the end of the novel, however, the hero is arrested and taken to a secret government facility, where he is brainwashed into being unable to think negative thoughts. The main character quickly discovers, without the ability to defend himself or even posit a negative idea, that he is quickly swallowed up by the world he has helped create.
This is a great example of a dystopian epic because Burgess is able to immerse the reader into a new world with a new language and a character who has helped to create a society of terror. He is ultimately victimized by this same world, and the cycle of a corrupted society becomes apparent.
Dystopias have existed for as long as literature has been recorded. However, people before the 1800s were less likely to write stories of hellish times for fear of retribution from their rulers.
For instance, in Shakespeare’s age, any slight against the king that would appear in a play could lead to the execution of the entire ensemble. For as long as man has dreamed of paradise, they have also dreaded utopia. Many ideas in the bible can be seen as dystopian, but they are allowed to survive because of the overall positive message of the book.
A story that showed the overall negative aspects of society would never have seen print.
Dystopian literature serves as a profound mirror to the utopian ideals envisioned since the early 1500s. Through its evolution, it has relentlessly challenged the notion of a perfect society. Authors like Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, and Anthony Burgess didn’t just write stories; they crafted cautionary tales that reflect deep-seated societal fears and the potential dangers of human endeavors. From Verne’s portrayal of a world devoid of art to Wells’ depiction of a future marred by class divides, and Burgess’ representation of a society crippled by violence and control, these narratives underscore the consequences of a world where balance and morality are lost.
These stories, emerging as early responses to the concept of utopia, evolved into a significant genre, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries. They represent a shift from a fear of direct retribution—such as in Shakespeare’s time, where criticizing the status quo was dangerous—to a more introspective critique of society’s potential downfalls. Dystopian literature, therefore, isn’t just about dark, oppressive futures; it’s a critical examination of human nature, governance, societal structures, and the delicate interplay between progress and ethics.
In this light, dystopian narratives are not just imagined horrors; they are cautionary tales that remind us of the fine line between utopia and dystopia. They encourage readers to reflect on the direction of their societies and the values they uphold. In essence, while humanity has long dreamed of a utopian paradise, dystopian literature reminds us of the importance of vigilance, balance, and thoughtful consideration of the paths we choose as a society.
