Dystopian Fiction: Themes, Elements & Examples in Literature

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When we talk about dystopian fiction then it has to start with Utopian literature which was first introduced in 1516 with Sir Thomas More book, Utopia which presented an imagined ideally perfect place or state where everything is pleasant, where the citizens of the state are living in a perfect society free of sufferings and poverty.

Related: Dystopian Story Ideas

Later, this Utopian concept of Sir Thomas was responded with dystopian fiction, which showcases the opposite of Utopian philosophy and presented an imagined state where everything is unpleasant, where human life is full of disparities, suffering & hopelessness and surviving is often the central focus of the people of the dystopian state.

What is Dystopian Fiction?

Dystopian fiction novels are based on the subject of an imagined future world where dehumanizing, frightening & anarchist society prevails after going through an environmental disaster or a world war and humans struggle with anarchy, oppression, brutality, survival, etc.

  • In dystopian fiction, the world is often presented under lawlessness (under no governmental control), or under the control of a single oppressive and hypocritical government, or some highly technologically advanced force.
  • The dystopian genre is also speculative fiction like science fiction & fantasy and is used as a subgenre for both, as dystopian science fiction and dystopian fantasy fiction. 

Common Themes in Dystopian Literature-


Below is the list of common themes in dystopian literature which appeared in most dystopian novels, books & stories-

1. Good vs. Evil

2. Totalitarianism

3. Rebellion

4. Family

5. Politics

6. Violence

7. Surveillance

8. Nature

9. Corruption

10. Oppression

11. Social Class

12. Corruption

13. Control

14. Exploitation

15. Abuse of power

16. Idealism

17. Propaganda

18. Poverty vs Wealth

19. Technology

20. Class struggle

21. Repression

22. Loyalty

23. Censorship

24. Manipulation

25. Identity


Common themes in dystopian literature

5 Common Elements of Dystopian Fiction-


These are some common elements that you can find in dystopian fiction-

1. Governmental control

Government is one of the prominent elements in most of the work of dystopian fiction. The government is presented as a powerful and oppressive entity suppressing the society and state or even a no government scenario where anarchy prevails.

  • Example-

Georges Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four showcases the world after a world war is under complete governmental control and under total surveillance by a fictional dictator called ”Big Brother”.

Other Popular Examples-

examples of government control dystopian fiction

2. Technological control

An advanced technology controls society. Robots, computers, or some highly advance and scientific means are used to control society, place, or the character’s mind.

  • Example-

M.T Anderson’s Feed, showcases the world where people’s brains are controlled by a computer network called Feednet. Similar to the internet this network controls the citizens by connecting everyone’s brain through the network implemented through installed the feed into the brains of citizens.

Other Popular Examples-

example of technologican control dystopian fiction

dystopian fiction themes, elements and examples in literature

3. Environmental destruction

Showcasing the setting of a place inhabitable for humans often after destruction or the story of a probably upcoming disaster.

  • Example-

Cormac McCarthy’s The Road showcases the story of a father and his young son trying to survive in a post-catastrophic world.

Other Popular Examples-

examples of environmental destruction in dystopian fiction

4. Loss of individualism

Showcasing the danger of conformity, loss of individualism presents a world where personal choices of an individual such as their physical appearance or their way of living are control by an authoritarian state.

  • Example-

Yevgeny Zamyatin’s We tell the story of a world where citizens of a place called the One State are identified by number.

Other Popular Examples-

example of loss of individualism in dystopian fiction

5. Survival

Fend for yourself or die is the common element found in dystopian fiction. The citizens or the characters living in a dystopian world often have to survive on their own in between the ruins, destructed environment, collapsed society, inhabitable places, powerful and oppressive dictators, etc. The quest for survival is prominent in dystopian fiction.

  • Example-

Jeanne DuPrau’s The City of Ember tells the story of a post-apocalyptic underground city called Ember, where a group of teenagers living in the place is trying to find a way out to reach the outside world as the underground city which was made for survival for humans is now running out of food and the light system of the place is collapsing which too will soon put the whole Ember into darkness.

Other Popular Examples-

example of survival in dystopian fiction

Want to learn more about dystopian fiction?, Then do watch the below video by TED-Ed on “How to Recognize a Dystopia”.

How to recognize a dystopia.

Examples of Dystopian Fiction in Literature-


EXAMPLE OF DYSTOPIAN FICTION

Fahrenheit 451

BY Ray Bradbury


EXAMPLE OF DYSTOPIAN FICTION

The Handmaid’s Tale

By Margaret Atwood


EXAMPLE OF DYSTOPIAN FICTION

The Hunger Games

By Suzanne Collins


EXAMPLE OF DYSTOPIAN FICTION

The Giver

By Lois Lowry


EXAMPLE OF DYSTOPIAN FICTION

Lord of the Flies

By William Golding


EXAMPLE OF DYSTOPIAN FICTION

The Wall

By John Lanchester


EXAMPLE OF DYSTOPIAN FICTION

The Maze Runner

By James Dashner


EXAMPLE OF DYSTOPIAN FICTION

Brave New World

By Aldous Huxley


EXAMPLE OF DYSTOPIAN FICTION

Station Eleven

By Emily St. John Mandel


EXAMPLE OF DYSTOPIAN FICTION

The Time Machine

By H.G Wells


Want to know more about dystopian fiction then read this article on Masterclass explaining more about the genre.

Neel Rana

About the Author- Neel Rana is a young adult fiction writer and children’s book author. He is a literary enthusiast and the founder of Pandora Post. Neel holds a degree in BA Honors in English Literature and has been writing since 2017. His magnum opus YA short storybook, “The Drunken Ghost” has been well received by the readers.