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Contents contributed and discussions participated by Elaina Wusstig

Elaina Wusstig

Anti-leisure in dystopian fiction: the literature of leisure in the worst of all possib... - 3 views

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    Argument: Literary dystopia reveals human weakness, social problems and often criticizes or exaggerates social trends. Claims: Leisure in dystopian novels are called anti-leisure in the fact that it "perverts to achieve the perpetuation of tyranny". Instead of abolishing tyranny in this sense, dystopia does the opposite. Not only that but it also demolishes human individuality and self reliance through various compulsive activities, "such novels encourage the re-examination of theories of leisure from a humanistic standpoint". Evidence: "Such leisure regulates identity, prevents individual thought, impedes self-sufficiency, encourages immoderation, and distracts citizens from social injustice through varioius compulsory activities" "This recent term was coined for its overtones of disease and malfunction, making it an accurate label for the genre's depictions of human foibles, weaknesses and messiness that defeats attempts to create a perfect society" "Dystopias usually exaggerate contemporary social trends and in doing so, offer serious social criticism"
Elaina Wusstig

Apocalypse Now - 0 views

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    Argument: Karen Springen in her article "Apocalypse Now" asserts that the dystopian themes in recent books have made a postive impact on the views of society and compel people to continue reading dystopian-type novels. Claim: Springen claims that the negativity in society today is what attracts readers to dystopian novels. News talk about terrorism, wars and global warming that inspires authors to write books. Dystopia also helps people cope with issues they have today but reading books that are absurd in nature and help them appreciate the good in their lives. Also authors are using the genre to come to terms with issues in society today. Evidence: "YA authors "are trying to grapple with the issues of today," says David Levithan" (Springen). "Newspaper headlines about swine flu, terrorism, global warming, and wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are inspiring authors" (Springen). "I think we like to be scared of things that are not real. The idea that we're watching or reading things that are completely outlandish or impossible or really dire helps us cope with what is" (Feiwel).
Elaina Wusstig

The Advent of Literary Dystopia - 0 views

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    Argument: Carter Kaplan's "The Advent of Literary Dystopia" argues the similarities and differences of Dystopia and satire in the form of literature. Relates to the dystopian society of The Hunger Games. Claim: The idea of dystopia Kaplan discusses come from menippean satire although they differ when it comes to humor. Menippean satire and dystopia are forms of mythology in which both ideas are not likely to occur in reality but emphasizes orthodoxies in society. Kaplan argues that dystopia creates prophacies based on fictional circumstances that relate to society. In other terms, predictions of the future that are usually in a negative manner; the idea of dystopia portray negative mood in literature. Evidence: "Both forms are converned with intellectual mythology, which they critique by exploring the interrelationships that exist between ignorance, intolerance, conflict, brutality, euphemisn, passivity, scientism, and various modern orthodixies" (Kaplan). "The mood of dystopia is usually dark, pessimistic, and often reflects paranoia, alarm or hysteria" (Kaplan). "Dystopia uses fiction to portray institutions based on intellect mythology and essays prophecy and prognostication" (Kaplan). "The literature of dystopia examines the possible effects intellectual mythology can have on individuals and society" (Kaplan).
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