Dystopian Literature
Right now, I am in the midst of teaching Anthem by Ayn Rand. It isn’t the most feminist of texts (read: not feminist at all), nor does it deal with issues of race or LGBTQ or anything like that. In fact, if you were to critically examine Anthem for its dealings with any of the progressive topics of the moment, it would probably fail miserably.
But it does deal quite interestingly with the issues of difference and power. Anthemfalls under the category of dystopian literature, or literature that presents a different world – one that is supposed to be “perfect” but ends up taking away key freedoms that we, as Americans particularly, value. In Anthem, the freedom to be an individual is taken away. In books like Fahrenheit 451, it is the freedom to read and think freely. In 1984, it is the freedom of privacy. In The Giver, it is the freedom of experiencing emotions. And students can really relate to the feelings these characters experience when they lose their freedoms.
I, honestly, love teaching this novel. It is short, which is always helpful when “selling” a book to students. It also grabs the students’ attention right away because the language is so different – the characters in the book only use plural pronouns (we, they, us), even when referring to themselves because they have no individuality; the only thoughts that exist are thoughts that affect all people in the society. They are then fascinated by the idea that these people cannot have friends because they cannot have any personal preferences. They also are intrigued by the fact that they don’t need money because using money to buy something individually would show personal preference as well. They are appalled at the “justice” in the book – the main character mentions he is whipped for being smarter than his peers and that he’d receive 10 years in jail for stealing a candle. In short, the book is interesting to them and generates a lot of really great discussion, which is a gold mine for English teachers.
I’m currently looking for other dystopian novels that my students can get into. I’ve already recommended the three I discussed above, but I think there may be some other, more young adult, dystopian novels out there. Have you ever taught or read any young adult dystopian novels? How did you or your students feel about them? Do you have any titles you can recommend to me?
What level do you teach this at? I did a few short dystopian pieces (like Harrison Bergeron) with my sophomores and they liked them. I think maybe they’d appreciate this novel.
I teach this to sophomores, as well. Must be something about that age…
I would recommend The Children’s Story by James Clavell, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins as a novel study,”Answer,” from Angels and Spaceships, by Fredric Brown, The Pedestrian by Ray Bradbury and of course, The Lottery by Shirley Jackson is always good. I just finished unit on dystopia and used all but The Hunger Games.