Description
This paper will argue that by examining the genealogy of the dystopian tradition, it is possible to construct a theoretical lens through which one can evaluate the positive or negative outcome of the ever-changing complexities of our current reality. By connecting the inherent critique embedded in each dystopia to the works of political theorists, the gap between speculation and truth diminishes. This paper will begin by establishing that the use of the term ‘dystopia’ has increased over the past decade. Then, a genealogy of the genre, investigating examples of dystopian thought that preceded the coining of the term will be followed by an examination of the dominant dystopian themes that arise. Following, the correlation between the works of prominent political theorists, such as Adorno, Heidegger, Arendt etc., and the ideas that emerge from dystopian texts will be examined. Finally, the possibility of forming the themes and traits of the genre into a lens through which one could potentially analyse and, most importantly, criticise certain political and social phenomena will be argued. Dystopias portray distorted, negative, images of society through which, due to their intensity of their realism, we are given the tools to re-assess our current condition.
