The Giver by Lois Lowry is referred to as a dystopian novel. Here’s a quick look at what it means to be dystopian.
Utopian vs Dystopian
Utopian vs Dystopian
Utopian and dystopian societies are usually set in the future. Sometimes, they are on a planet other than Earth.
A utopian society is one in which everything is perfect. People thrive. Everyone has what they need to be healthy and happy. There is no lack of housing or healthcare. Nobody wants for anything. Ever.
A dystopian society is the opposite of a utopian society, although it may be the remnants of a utopian society. People are struggling. Many do not have what they need to be healthy or happy – although a few people may. Food is scarce. Resources are limited. This is in no way a perfect society.
The Giver
Many dystopian books start out with what appears to be a utopian society. For instance, The Giver, part of a series by Lois Lowry, is set in a society where everyone has their needs met and everyone is treated equally. On the surface, it seems to be an organized, planned community with happy citizens. However, no one has any choice in any aspect of their lives – from something as small as the age at which children receive their first bicycle to something as large as the job they will have for a lifetime. It’s only when Jonas learns at the ceremony for 12-year-olds that he is to be the Receiver of Memory that we become aware that all is not as perfect as it seems. In fact, individuals in the community have no memory or knowledge of their history; Jonas is about to be trained as the person who carries this knowledge for all of them. He will also be the one to share his knowledge with leaders when it is called for.
The City of Ember
The City of Ember, a series by Jeanne Duprau, describes life in a city that was built for the remaining citizens of the human race. It’s anything but utopian at this point, with power outages and a growing scarcity of materials necessary for life. The question faced by Lina and Doon is WHY? Young readers join them as they race to discover what has gone wrong. They’re also left to ponder about how something that was designed with such good intentions could go so horribly wrong.
What do you think?
These two books are among our favorites. Give them a look and let us know what you think. Not your thing? Which books in this genre do you enjoy?