Why is dystopian literature experiencing such a rise in popularity today? Dystopian literature not only is to entertain people, but also to understand concepts of ideas and characteristics in a dystopian society.  Three common elements that dystopian stories may have are: use of technology not yet available currently, futuristic setting, and how technology is used to control the people.

Let’s take The Veldt for an example “The Veldt” uses technology that makes life seem “easier” in the future.  Like the nursery, the kitchen, the way you get to bedrooms, basically how the whole house operates. It shows that technology really does take over and how much it can control people. That sounds terrible! Would I have to tie my own shoes instead of letting the machine do it? And brush my own teeth and comb my own hair and give myself a bath?” meaning it is teaching them they don’t have to do anything themselves they can just be lazy and make it easier on them.

Another example is from the short story “Harrison Bergeron”. The story shows that a  futuristic setting with forced equality. “All this equality was due to the 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to the Constitution, and to the unceasing vigilance of agents of the United States Handicapper General.” this quote is the amendments that are forced into their society and they must follow them.  Not like money wise but as a real person such as weights, masks, handicaps, and some even may need more things to make them equal like Harrison because he was intelligent and above all others with or without the weights and handicaps.

“Ten with a Flag” uses technology to control the people in that society. When a couple is expecting a baby joy is abundant. However, what if the government told you something was wrong, but not tell you what it is. “The flag is just an indication that the parents will have to make a sacrifice. Sometimes it means that the child will be handicapped, and the parents will have to work additional hours to make up for the extra burden on the state”. It only gives you two choices one of the other it can’t be both ways.

Dystopian stories are interesting to read and to go through and see what people can write to give you a visual of different types of dystopias in different ways and in different time periods. Who knows maybe someone will predict the future!.