ISABEL FERREIRA

Utopia and Dystopia: Definitions and Characteristics

These two extremes of speculative fiction have always provided a stark contrast to modern reality, and have
fascinated through their often “visionary” aspects. Anyone interested in science-fiction or modern fantasy
has stumbled upon stories that paint the future in a decided color. Such stories always awaken a powerful
curiosity in us, and we often close the book with a changed perspective on life.

But how many types of future are there? How do utopian storyworlds differ from the dystopian ones, when
it comes to their purpose and meaning?
 Utopia

Utopia: A place, state, or condition that is ideally perfect in respect of politics, laws,
customs, and conditions. This does not mean that the people are perfect, but the
system is perfect.

Utopian fiction depicts a future in which humanity has reached a state of balance and peace, and where all life is
valued and maintained. There is no more suffering and injustice, no more ignorance and violence. We have
reached our full potential. The overarching message of utopian stories is one of hope and faith in humanity.
Utopias remind us of our inherent instinct to crave peace, to regenerate and to evolve past our short-comings.
 Characteristics of a Utopian Society

● Information, independent thought, and freedom are promoted.

● A figurehead or concept brings the citizens of the society together, but not treated as singular.

● Citizens are truly free to think independently.

● Citizens have no fear of the outside world.

● Citizens live in a harmonious state.

● The natural world is embraced and revered.

● Citizens embrace social and moral ideals. Individuality and innovation are welcomed.

● The society evolves with change to make a perfect utopian world..

 The grandest categories of utopian fiction (which can also be found—profoundly altered—in
dystopian fiction) are the following:
Ecological Utopia

Depicts a way of life in which man is close to nature, respects and protects it, and all life is in harmony.
Ecological utopias are often marked by a strong message encouraging unity with nature—both external, and
internal (human nature).

Economic Utopia

Society has evolved toward an equal distribution of goods, the abolition of money and unpleasant or forced
labor. Society enjoys an increased value attributed to arts, sciences and individualism. All efforts to improve life
are voluntary, joint efforts, and there is no such thing as personal profit.

Political Utopia

Frequently marked by world peace (or even galactic peace), oneness and the abolition of cultural, racial and
gender-based prejudices.
Spiritual Utopia

A future in which humanity has evolved past its basic needs, and is united by a common aspiration to reach
enlightenment. This kind of utopia can have a religious flavor or not, but the central message is one of departure
with physical nature and dedication to spiritual well-being, or a higher plane of existence.

Science and Technology Utopia

Humanity has solved all of its problems and has expanded beyond its old limits with the help
of sensibly developed and used technology. In the case of self-conscious technology (such as intelligent robots or
incorporeal AIs), there is a peaceful coexistence with humans and sometimes even equality in rights, though
usually technology reveres and chooses to serve mankind.
The Utopian Hero

● can be an insider who works to promote the ideals of society.

● questions the existing social and political systems with the aim to bring positive change.

● believes or feels that the society in which he or she lives is always getting better.

● helps the audience recognize the positive aspects of the utopian world through his or her perspective.

● can also be an outsider who must learn about this new society.
 DYSTOPIA

Dystopia / Anti-utopia: A dystopia is an imagined universe in which oppressive societal control

or an apocalypse has created a world in which the conditions of life are miserable,
characterized by human misery, poverty, oppression, violence, disease, and/or pollution. Anti-
utopias appear to be utopian or were intended to be so, but a fatal flaw or other factor has
destroyed or twisted the intended utopian world or concept, such as in The Giver. Dystopias
and anti-utopias are maintained through corporate, bureaucratic, technological, moral, or
totalitarian control. Through an exaggerated worst-case scenario, authors make a criticism
about a current trend, societal norm, or political system through their dystopias / anti-utopias.
Dystopian fiction depicts a future in which humanity has fallen into decline and ruin, and where life and
nature are recklessly exploited and destroyed. The overarching message of dystopian stories is one of
warning and mistrust in humanity. Dystopias criticize current trends through an exaggeration of their
consequences.
 Characteristics of a Dystopian Society

● Propaganda is used to control the citizens of society.

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● The natural world is banished and distrusted.

● Citizens conform to uniform expectations. Individuality and dissent are bad.

● The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world.

Ecological Dystopia

Humanity has destroyed nature and/or our relationship to it. Ecological dystopias range from partial or total
estrangement from nature, to the catastrophic destruction of our natural environment, up to where it can no
longer sustain life.

Economic Dystopia

One or more large corporations completely rule the world, to the detriment of mankind. They can dominate the
human mind through manipulation, propaganda, intrusive advertisement and even through implanted
technology, or they can dominate the human life through absolute control of resources and a strict limitation of
available comforts.

Political Dystopia

The government is the root of all evil. It can be the government of a single nation, or a global government, in
which case dystopia crushes an otherwise utopian premise of unity. In political dystopias, society is controlled
and limited by the very institutions that are supposed to protect it, ranging from presidents down to policemen.
Personal freedom is a myth, trust is a commodity no one can afford, and the government disregards human
rights down to treating people like livestock.
Spiritual Dystopia

You could call this type of dystopia “a dangerous idea gone viral”, but it comes in many shapes and sizes.
Generally, it treats a future in which society is controlled by a dangerous ideology or religion which slowly
destroys everything humanity has built along the road.

Science and Technology Dystopia

Contrary to a economic and political dystopia where a bunch of people control all others by means of
technology, technological dystopia deals with the consequences of technology itself ravaging our lives. It
ranges from man-slaughtering robots and man-enslaving AIs, to humankind becoming entirely dependent
upon technology to accomplish even the simplest tasks. A variant of this kind of dystopia is the science-
turned-rogue kind, where usually a virus or genetic modification destroys humanity.
 Types of Dystopian Controls

Most dystopian works present a world in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society
are maintained through one or more of the following types of controls:

● Corporate control: One or more large corporations control society through products, advertising, and/or the
media. Examples include Minority Report and Running Man.

● Bureaucratic control: Society is controlled by a mindless bureaucracy through a tangle of red tape, relentless
regulations, and incompetent government officials. Examples in film include Brazil.

● Technological control: Society is controlled by technology—through computers, robots, and/or scientific

means. Examples include The Matrix, The Terminator, and I, Robot.

● Philosophical/religious control: Society is controlled by philosophical or religious ideology often enforced

through a dictatorship or theocratic government, such as in The Handmaid’s Tale.
 The Dystopian Hero
● Often feels trapped and is struggling to escape. ● questions the existing social and political systems.

● Believes or feels that something is terribly wrong with the society in which he or she lives.

● Helps the audience recognizes the negative aspects of the dystopian world through his or her
perspective.