Research Assignment - Dystopia

[kineaesth]

I?m using Half Life 2 as a text for an English research assignment on Dystopia (which I chose myself) and was wondering if anyone had any interesting opinions on my questions which follow

In what manner is the dystopia portrayed, and how is the dystopia created?

Does the protagonist fight the dystopian society, and if so why, and how?

In what manners are the separate dystopian societies similar?

What do the dystopian societies show about society?

Other texts I have chosen are 1984, Brave New World, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, The Matrix Trilogy, Bladerunner and Children of Men, and I?m sure everyone approves of these?

The most interesting question to me is the third, because there are so many similarities in the dystopian societies portrayed, for example the parallel between Big Brother from 1984 and Dr. Breen. So, any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks!

 

[Atomic_Piggy]

1984 without a doubt. The dystopian story IMO.

 

[Dog--]

What does dystopia mean?

 

[mindless_moder]

"A dystopia (alternatively, cacotopia, kakotopia or anti-utopia) is the antithesis of a utopian society. Dystopian societies are usually characterized by extreme governmental tyranny and an exploitation of the people.

 

[Stingey]

Could fit V for Vendetta in there for the commercial value, not really literature though

 

[staticprimer]

Brave New World probably has the best dystopia I've ever read or seen. Fascinating and yet at the same time unnerving.

 

[Jintor]

Could fit V for Vendetta in there for the commercial value, not really literature though

Have you read the original Alan Moore text?

'cos I haven't.

Generally he churns out great stuff though, so...

 

[Atomic_Piggy]

What does dystopia mean?

Basically what mindless moder said, its essentially like the combien in half-life 2 or 1984.

 

[Stingey]

Have you read the original Alan Moore text?

'cos I haven't.

Generally he churns out great stuff though, so...

You?d be amazed how many schools dont classify comics as literature :|

 

[kineaesth]

I'm glad mine does, I was considering X-Men Age Of Apocolypse, but decided I had enough texts. To be honest, the dystopia in Half-Life 2 isn't very inventive or unique, compared to Brave New World or maybe even The Matrix trilogy.

 

[leib10]

1984 and Brave New World are the best dystopias I've ever read, but HL2 did a pretty good job itself IMO. There is a distinct dystopia formula, and it can be cliched, but if presented in the right way it can get past that.