A DEFINITION OF DYSTOPIA
What is a dystopia? Well, that question is not as easily answered as one might think. To put it as
simply as possible, a dystopian depiction can be described as a dark vision of the future.
It is a wretched, imaginary place where people lead dehumanized lives and often
fearful for their very existence. Dystopian Fiction work as a whole includes images of a
world that is worse than our world.
Top 10: and Wall-E homework
Dystopian images are almost invariably images of future society, pointing fearfully at
the way the world is supposedly going in order to provide urgent propaganda for a
change in direction.
Who wrote Utopia and why? What would he consider a utopia?
Dystopias are frequently written as warnings, or as satires, showing current trends
extrapolated to a nightmarish conclusion. A dystopia is all too closely connected to
current-day society.
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The dystopian concept is formulated with the following essential features:
 Dystopian societies are undesirable or even horrifying.
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This is shown through(Earth’s landscape and the Axiom’s living conditions in
Wall-E.
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Imagery:
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Earth’s landscape: arid; reflective of global warming;
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Dust storms
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Garbage piles are really trash-scrapers. (Homework)
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Amount of orbital debris that Wall-E plunges through
during his exit from Earth
Earth’s atmosphere: arid; reflective of global warming
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Air is toxic (President Shelby Forthright)
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Dust storms
Axiom (setting):
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Lack of nature: part of the human condition
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Setting of a cruise in space with the auspicious of luxury
living as opposed to really living (permanent vacation)
Axiom (living conditions): illusion of living is really delusional
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Lack of physical contact
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Lack of meaningful social contact (contrast to the main
character Wall-E and the music he plays)
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No control or choice (ultimately the robots have control)
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Change of day
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Leaving the pool area
 Dystopian societies are usually futuristic and fictional.
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All fiction has a willing suspension of disbelief (often used as a means to
extend or establish commentary)
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Futuristic aspects are in the setting of the story as well as its characters
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What are some futuristic aspects of the characters depicted in Wall-
E?
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Smart AI for the robots Wall-E and Eve
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EVE: synonymous with Genesis Eve (first woman)
Technology is so advanced that the humans do less to almost nothing
Robot characters are more human than the humans in the story
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WALL-E aspires to have true companionship with the opposite sex
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Tries to mimic the Hello Dolly holding hands portion of the
movie
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Hello Dolly:
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Principal song played by Wall-E: rudimentary
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He initially strives for companionship with his pet cockroach.
 Dystopian depictions can be regarded as warnings.
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Director’s commentary on big business
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How does the director Andrew Stanton convey this message?
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Director’s commentary on the overuse and abuse of technology
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How does the director Andrew Stanton convey this message?
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Director’s commentary on human waste and consumption
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Mortal sin for humanity: man didn’t take care of Earth; they
abandoned it.
How does the director Andrew Stanton convey this message?
Director’s commentary about relationships and interpersonal communication
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Director’s comment: humans have a greater connection with technology and
their things than with each other.
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Prove this statement true using information from the movie (characterization,
plot, imagery, etc)
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 Dystopian fiction is both about today (period written) and tomorrow (the future). It
could reflect an alternate history (the possibility if a particular event happened
different than the way history currently records it)
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This aspect reinforces the director’s commentary and warning
 Dystopian fiction comments on our own/present society.
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Two comments from the director on the board; see your notes
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Man’s consumerist ways created an ecological disaster.
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Man’s proclivity to abandon tough and rough tasks resulted in man’s
new mortal sin.
 Dystopian and utopian concepts are relative to the author’s perspective. (Duh! That’s any
writing)
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The perception of an ideal society and a wretched society will change with
time.
Assignment: Prove that Wall*E is an example of a dystopia despite its presentation as a
children’s movie.
Key to success for this essay: Make certain that your argument is steeped in the literary
terms discussed in class in order to add focus and authority to your argument.
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Imagery
Characterization
Plot
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Conflict
Allusion
theme
Wall-E dystopian fiction notes
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