Introduce the concept of dystopia

In our class, we have discussed the differences between a utopia (an imaginary perfect world where everyone is happy) and a dystopia (an imaginary place where life is extremely difficult and a lot of unfair and immoral things happen). We have also spent some time talking about seven common characteristics of dystopian literature and films. They are:

• Propaganda
• Restrictions
• Constant Surveillance
• Fear of the Outside World
• Dehumanization
• Conformity
• Utopian Illusion

As you have been reading The Giver, you have hopefully been collecting quotes and specific examples from the novel that fit in these various categories and recording them on the worksheet I gave you. You will find more examples of some of these characteristics in The Giver than others, and you will likely find some more interesting and exciting for you to discuss than others.

TOPIC: In an academic essay, choose TWO of these seven characteristics of dystopian literature, discuss what each one means, and analyze at least two examples of both of these characteristics that you found in the novel.

In effect, you are writing a 4-Paragraph Essay:

Intro: Introduce the concept of dystopia

Body 1: Explain dystopian characteristic #1. Why/how does it affect the thinking or experience of people in a community? Find two examples in The Giver that illustrate (show) this dystopian characteristic and analyze each one, explaining how life in the community is impacted/influenced negatively in these examples.

Body 2: Explain dystopian characteristic #2. Why/how does it affect the thinking or experience of people in a community? Find two examples in The Giver that illustrate (show) this dystopian characteristic and analyze each one, explaining how life in the community is impacted/influenced negatively in these examples.

Conclusion: Give an overview of the essay, reflect on the events you have discussed in your essay, and leave your reader with a question, warning, or advice.

NOTES:

• REMEMBER, QUALITY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN QUANTITY.
• Write as well as you can. This essay needs to have grammatical correctness, organization, and comprehensibility. Your essay needs to contain one clearly stated and well-supported main idea in each body paragraph, which addresses this topic and no
  other topic.
• Your essay will be a minimum of 2 pages (it must have at least one line on page 3!)
• Use Unit 4 of GW3 (especially pp. 84-89) to help guide your writing.