March 8th/9th

Propaganda Posters and Reflections are due today.

We have defined propaganda, examined its usage in Animal Farm, analyzed examples of visual propaganda, recognized propaganda techniques used in current society, and now we have applied this knowledge by creating our own examples of propaganda that would develop from Manor Farm/Animal Farm.

The use of propaganda is one technique in the creation and sustaining of a Utopian Society.

1. We will be watching 2 short videos on Dystopian Literature and "What it means to be Orwellian".
The Orwellian explanation will show how Dystopian characteristics are demonstrated in his famous book 1984. In this examination, it will demonstrate how the concept of what Orwell's purpose in writing.

2. Please get the following definitions and characteristics in your notes.

Utopia: A place, state, or condition that is ideally perfect in respect of politics,
laws, customs, and conditions. *Usually the goal of the character(s) within the story being told

Dystopia: A futuristic, imagined universe in which oppressive societal control and
the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through corporate, bureaucratic,
technological, moral, or totalitarian control. Dystopias, through an exaggerated
worst-case scenario, make a criticism about a current trend, societal norm, or
political system. 
**How the author intends us to view the results of the character(s)' attempts to create the UTOPIA. Also the characters subjected to the actions of the utopian creation can view it as a dystopia.

Characteristics of a Dystopian Society
• Propaganda is used to control the citizens of society.
• Information, independent thought, and freedom are restricted.
• A figurehead or concept is worshiped by the citizens of the society.
• Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance.
• Citizens have a fear of the outside world.
• Citizens live in a dehumanized state.
• The natural world is banished and distrusted.
• Citizens conform to uniform expectations. Individuality and dissent are bad.

Types of Dystopian Controls 
Most dystopian works present a world in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through one or more of the following types of controls:

• Corporate control: One or more large corporations control society through products, advertising, and/or the media.
• Bureaucratic control: Society is controlled by a mindless bureaucracy through a tangle of red tape, relentless regulations, and incompetent government officials.
• Technological control: Society is controlled by technology—through computers, robots, and/or scientific means.
 • Philosophical/religious control: Society is controlled by philosophical or religious ideology often enforced through a dictatorship or theocratic government.

The Dystopian Protagonist
• often feels trapped and is struggling to escape.
• questions the existing social and political systems.
• believes or feels that something is terribly wrong with the society in which he or she lives.
• helps the audience recognizes the negative aspects of the dystopian world through his or her perspective.

3. Using the 8 Characteristics of Dystopian Literature- Find two examples for each characteristic in Animal Farm. 

Remember the literary terms/devices that we defined at the start of this book: Satire, Propaganda, Dystopia, Allegory, Theme, Motif.  Keep reviewing definitions and characteristics.