Dystopian Literature and Political Activism

📋 Course Outline

1. Origins and themes of utopia and dystopia in literature
2. Contextualizing Orwell's 1984 and Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale as political activism
3. Analyzing document formats and audiences in dystopian works and political cartoons
4. Surveillance and oppression symbolism in 1984 and related political cartoons
5. Symbolism of the eye and color in The Handmaid's Tale to depict control
6. Characterization and gender roles in The Handmaid's Tale: Julia's portrayal and narrative function
7. Literature as a tool for political activism and denouncing oppression through fiction

📖 1. Origins and themes of utopia and dystopia in literature

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Utopia : A literary concept conceptualized by Thomas More in 1520 as a perfect place on earth with no social classes, no oligarchs, and no wars, originating from Greek philosophers' ideas of an ideal society.
• Dystopia : Themes are centred around famine, war, etc … B.

📝 Essential Points