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Tuesday, April 24, 2012

V is for Vonnegut and V for Vendetta: Visions of Dystopia

A concept that has proved very popularity within science fiction is that of the dystopian world. They're anti-utopias, dark visions of society. And the more I read about them, the more I think about their opposite. Utopia. How would they function? What would they resemble? How people would act? But I’ve recently come to a very important and revolutionary conclusion. Utopias do not – and more importantly cannot – exist.

A utopia is defined as a visionary system or state of political and/or social perfection. On the surface, it sounds ideal; who wouldn’t want to live in a perfect world? Except humanity isn’t perfect. We are an imperfect race. It isn’t within our capacity to live together in harmony. The differences that define us, that make us who were are, are at the root of our every conflict with one another. Religion, politics, race, ideology – we’re all different in some way. And these differences make us unique individuals. But our differences also tear us apart. It not pretty, but it’s human nature.

In order to create the perfect conditions necessary for a utopian world, one without conflict or strife, we’d need to eradicate difference. This is the point where science fiction comes in, giving us an idea of what that would look like – only when difference is ultimately stamped out, the world becomes decidedly dystopian.

To start off with, in utopian societies everyone would ideally be equal to one another. But how do we accomplish equality when some people will always be smarter, or more athletic, or artistic, or beautiful? In Kurt Vonnegut’s famous short story “Harrison Bergeron”, citizens above average in any way are given handicaps – doled out and enforced by the Handicapper General – as an equalizer. People with exceptional intelligence wear radios that broadcast sharp noises to break up their thoughts, citizens with outstanding good looks wear masks, those that are strong must carry heavily weighted bags, etc. The result is a society of “equal” citizens, or so the government says. But what’s equal about maiming and punishing people for their innate extraordinary qualities? And really, at the heart of it, is there any way to ensure equality without causing harm? Equal opportunity, yes, but equality of intelligence or strength? Absolutely not.

Utopias are just illusions. They’re dreams that can never be realized. Dystopias, though. They’re very possible. Even probable in a way.

Alan Moore and David Lloyd’s comic book series V for Vendetta shows a more straightforward dystopian vision, reaching its objective in a fashion congruent with Vonnegut’s vision. Following a nuclear war that ends in social and political catastrophe, a fascist state has taken over, promising to restore stability and peace. But it’s not really a shelter they offer . . . it’s a cage. Because in order to maintain their control, to maintain tranquility throughout Britain, the hegemonic government “purifies” the country of anyone different. Anyone whose differences might cause them to rebel against the party – including black people, Jews, lesbians, and potential political activists. It’s forced samenesss to ensure passivity and acceptance.

Again society is faced with the total annihilation of difference in order to maintain a peaceful society. Orwell’s 1984, Huxley’s Brave New World, Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, Lowry’s The Giver . . . these stories all tell us one thing. Utopias do not exist. The only recognizable vision is a dystopian one. Beware sameness disguised as equality. Beware the utopia.
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This post is part of the Blogging A through Z Challenge 2012. My theme is (in case you didn’t already guess) science fiction. Stay tuned for the rest of the alphabet, and if you’d like to check in on the rest of the participants, simply click here.

23 comments:

  1. Dystopia is one of my favorite genres.
    makes me think of the saying "you can't please everyone' -because if you try, you end up pleasing no one.

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  2. I know this will come as a shock, but I disagree.

    I think utopias are possible. The problem is with the assumption that a homogeneous society is a utopian society. A society founded on respect and tolerance would be a true utopian society. One where differences are embraced, rather than weeded out as an inferiority.

    Of course, if everyone accepted everyone else, it wouldn't make for very good conflict, so I don't expect that an actual utopia would ever make it into print.

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  3. I think utopia's can exist - as soon as we figure out a way to avoid asymmetric resource allocation and still find a way to reward innovative thinking and ambition. I'll let you know as soon as I get that figured out.

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    1. Any chance you've read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand? Your comment about rewarding innovative thinking and ambition reminds me of that...

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    2. Er, to answer your question a bit late. I've not read it. I'm familiar with it though.

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  4. Wow. A double coincidence. I just finished reviewing the movie adaptation of V for Vendetta:

    http://michaelabayomi.blogspot.com/2012/04/v-for-vendetta-movie-review.html

    Dystopias are typically utopias gone bad. A perfect example would be the city of Libria in the movie Equilibrium (another movie I noticed we both reviewed by the way). Basically, what starts out as an ideal model for a society to follow eventually degenerates into something considered unacceptable. In the case of Equilibrium, this manifests in the form of the supression of human emotions.

    Can utopias truly exist? I don't know. But even if one did, it is only a matter of time before it would get twisted and corrupted into something else entirely, at which point we would have arrived at a dystopia.

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    1. What a great critique. One which I agree with wholeheartedly. Utopias, if they in fact can ever be created in the first place, are doomed to inevitable corruption though the reality of human nature.

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  5. I featured "V" from V for Vendetta too. I absolutely love V and dystopian worlds. Awesome post.

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  6. Way to crush our dreams! :) You are right, of course. A Utopian world is one where everybody loves vanilla and there are no choices. Not for me...thank you! :)

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  7. Personally I think even if a utopia could exist, it would automatically be a dystopia. Who wants to live in a world where everything is perfect, and everyone is the same (or at least has the same resources, comfort, so on)? Not me, snooze.

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  8. I think Andy makes a good point and a Utopian society doesn't necessarily mean that everything will always be perfect and peaceful. Tragedy will still happen, accidents, love hate etc.

    I never read the comic but I loved the movie with Natalie Portman. I thought she did a great job.

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  9. V for Vendetta was a great GN. Absolutely. I love dystopia.

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  10. Wondeful post - and you reference some damn fine works.

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  11. I love dystopian fiction! I read the Giver to my classes and we talk about utopian and dystopian societies. So many great discussions! This year in particular I have several students who are on a real dystopian reading kick!

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  12. See, I know why you don't like Star Trek, now. You and Roddenberry wouldn't have gotten along. :P

    I'm not a fan of dystopian for a number of reasons, the first of which is the maiming of the definition of what a dystopian is. Not in the examples you gave but in much of the current literature that calls itself dystopian. Much of it is actually just post-apocalyptic, like The Hunger Games (although that one does have a dystopian element, the society as a whole falls outside the true definition).

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    1. I disagree with your general dislike of dystopian fiction, but agree that it’s often mis-represented. And I do think classic dystopian novels are very special in a way that current pop-fiction sometimes isn’t. But then I’ve always been a bit of a classicist.

      But I AM glad that you appreciate V for Vendetta. You know, I read that Alan Moore really didn't like the movie adaptation...

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    2. I do like dystopians like 1984 and THX 1138. Those are actual representations of dystopian ideas, something that -looks- like a utopia but is only because of some bad thing that's going on within it. And that's the thing, people have taken the word to -just- mean anti-utopian, which is the simple definition, but that's not what it -means-. If it was, we could call most places on Earth dystopian, but we don't, because nothing on Earth looks utopian enough to, then, belong in the dystopian category.

      I don't think Alan Moore has liked any of the adaptations of his stories. He pulled out of Watchmen, too, and washed his hands of it. Don't remember why, though.

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  13. Oh, and I love V for Vendetta. I may still have the original series. I hope I do, at any rate.

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  14. LOVE V for Vendetta!! SUCH a fab movie!!

    P.s. I miss you.. is it May yet??

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  15. Dystopian stuff is pretty fun!

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  16. Laughing Ferret – Mine too. And yes, I agree. Pleasing everyone rarely works out for anyone.

    Andy (and mshatch) – I completely agree. Theoretically. I think that’s what we always strive for. But every time we try for something like that, founded on respect and tolerance of difference. EXCEPT in reality we wind up with an Animal Farm situation, where all animals are created equal…but some are created MORE equal. Utopias are a wonderful concept, but I simply don’t believe we’re capable.

    Mina – It really is a great story, with an interesting perspective on the world. As are most dystopian novels. It’s one of the reasons they’re embraced so thoroughly.

    DL – My point exactly. Perhaps tad pessimistic, but what can I say?

    Matthew – Yes, that’s always been my take on it.

    Joshua – I know. It’s such a terrific example of what dystopian fiction should look like.

    Simon – the subject lends itself to some truly wonderful works, so it wasn’t too difficult!

    Jemi – I think that is one of the best young adult novels ever written. I loved studying it when I was in school.

    Julie – SO CLOSE! We’ll have to have a movie fest.

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  17. I have no idea how I missed that Vonnegut short story, but I'm going to find it and read it ASAP!

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