Dystopian Literature

The technical definition of dystopia is a society characterized by human misery, as squalor, oppression, disease, and overcrowding. In simpler words, a dystopian world is a place where suffering is an everyday thing. 

This is one of the genres I have studied for the past ten weeks or so as part of Writing for Publication.

 I have read multiple dystopian books and series. For example, Legend by Marie Lu, The Maze Runner by James Dashner, and more. However, the most popular dystopian books out there are The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins and The Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth. Not only are these trilogies international bestsellers, but they have been adapted into some of the biggest movie blockbusters in the 21st century.

The Hunger Games is set in a world were 12 districts with their own individual characteristics are ruled by the Capital. Once a year, each of the districts have to offer up a boy and a girl, ranging from the ages 12 to 18, as tribute for the uprisings that took place generations ago. These 24 teenagers will be brought to the Capital to fight to the death until only one survives. 

These are some of the most cruel, cry-worthy books I have ever read. Although the writing and characters are brilliant, the plot is absolutely horrifying. It's kids killing kids! However, as the series progresses, Katniss, the narrator, becomes an extraordinary hero and symbol of hope for the ones who see no point in having any. The premise of the books are terrible to think about happening even in an alternate reality, but the underlying messages are something I still live by, three years after reading and completing the series.

 Then there is The Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth. 

Told by a young woman named Tris, Divergent is in a world were society is divided into five factions, each with their own values and character traits. Amity farm the land and are always happy and kind. Candor values honesty and order; these are the layers. Erudite are the smart ones who value knowledge and logic--some people think they are the know-it-alls. Abnegation, which is Tris' original faction, are the selfless ones. Since they are public servants, they are trusted to run the government. Then there is Dauntless, who are brave and fearless. Their duty is to protect everyone inside the fence surrounding the city.
 Lastly, and not officially included in the system, are the Factionless--the people who don't fit in anywhere. Everyone who goes into the faction system fears become one of them. However, there are a small number of people who fit into more than one of these factions. These are the Divergent, who are seen as a threat to the faction system. 

When Tris takes the test to determine which faction she is in, she discovers she is divergent. In order to survive, she needs to hide within a faction and try to stay out of the spotlight. The Divergent Trilogy follows Tris as she attempts to survive and change the way the world sees people like her.

Tris and Katniss hold so many qualities that I would like to possess, but they also have to learn about themselves and overcome their inner struggles just like any other human being. What I think is interesting is that Tris and Katniss can't be labeled as heroes. Although they both possess heroic qualities, they both have made mistakes that cause inner and outer conflicts.

This is what I love about dystopian literature: the common themes and events that occur force the characters to become more dynamic for the readers' enjoyment, Tris and Katniss being perfect examples. It seems that the dystopian genre gives women the opportunity to become strong, fearless protagonists, Tris and Katniss again being perfect examples.

I am looking forward to the future of dystopian novels and how that will effect literature in general. I will definitely be reading more dystopian in the near future.