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Period: Jan 1, 1515 to
Dystopian Literature
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Jan 1, 1516
Utopia
Thomas Moore's novel depicted a perfect society. It created social upheaval and increased speculation and philosophy related to social structure in its time. It also spawned, opposite utopian literature, dystopian literature, in which a society seemed perfect or advanced, but was in reality wrought with imperfections. -
A Sojourn in the City of Amalgamation, in the Year of Our Lord 19--
Jerome Holgate's novel is considered the first dystopian novel. It told the story of a future city where interracial marriage was allowed, which had led to moral impoverishment and worldwide crises. Holgate's novel is now obviously considered racist; at the time, it condemned abolition. -
The Time Machine
HG Wells' "The Time Machine" depicted a man who had created a time machine, allowing him to travel through time. Far in the future he encountered an advanced yet primitive society of small, distant relatives of humans. Wells' novel condones scientific advancement but cautions against apathy. It is widely credited with popularizing the idea of time travel. -
Brave New World
Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World" contrasted a futuristic Earth with a primitive one, coexisting with minimal contact. Huxley's novel is relevant today, as readers and critics alike are shocked by how similar modern technology has made our current world to Huxley's fantasized one. -
Anthem
Ayn Rand, a libertarian philosopher and writer, published her second novel to great success and broad response. The protagonist is a freethinking individual in a tightly controlled primitive society. As he begins to question the limitations placed on him, he enters a battle with the harsh government. -
1984
George Orwell's novel depicts a future society tightly controlled by a sinister government, which creates wars for profit and withholds freedom from its citizens. England is one of the last surviving nations. The novel is strongly political as well as scientific fiction. -
A Clockwork Orange
Anthony Burgess' most successful novel portrays a future England where crime is prevalent and the government's hold on society is frail. The main character, Alex, violently explores his freedom until he is arrested and brainwashed by the state. His revulsion at his lack of freedom nearly leads him to suicide. The novel is political, philosophical, and quite graphic. It is also famous for the slang spoken by the characters. -
Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said
Philip K Dick's novel is less political than many dystopian books. It focuses on surrealism and technology in a future scientific world. The psychological enigmas of the novel are still analyzed by contemporary psychologists today. -
V for Vendetta
Alan Moore's series of comic books was compiled to become one of the most famous graphic novels of all time. It is notable for use of illustration to tell story. The graphic novel is set in a future England controlled by a facist government, and deals with concepts such as anarchy, vengeance, and retribution. It was adapted into a popular film in 2006. -
The Children of Men
PD James' 1992 novel focuses on global crisis of the future world, where humans have lost the ability to reproduce due to illness and radiation. It is political, philosophical, and a romance. The novel follows a man unwillingly drawn into protecting the first pregnant woman in decades. It was adapted into a film in 2006.
