UTOPIA/DYSTOPIA

THEMESMichelle Stewart

THEME Utopia

Any society governed by an ideal socio-politico-legal system

Any visionary system of political or social perfection

Ideal place or state

Dystopia a society characterized by human misery, as squalor, o

ppression, disease, and overcrowding.

imaginary place where people lead dehumanized and often fearful lives

THE OUTSIDERS S.E. Hinton

The book shows two different lifestyles, the Soc’s and the Greasers. The Greasers have the hard life while Soc’s have it ‘easy’.

LESSONS LA: Students will tell key parts of the

story from the Soc’s point of view. Students relate events from the novel to modern life and write newspaper articles about them.

SS: Students will hold a debate to determine if exceptions to laws should be made for someone who is labeled a hero. And if exceptions are made, to what extent.

THE GIVER Lois Lowry

The community is supposed to be a perfect society with many benefits, but once the truth is known by Jonas, it is the complete opposite to him.

LESSONS LA: Students can interpret the ending and

write if they believe Jonas and Gabe lived.

SS: Students could review history of the world and tie in the loss of memories to effects on the future.

  CA: Students could make their own

utopias/dystopia. This could be posters, dioramas, mobiles or any type of display.

LORD OF THE FLIES William Golding

At first the boys are getting along and trying to cooperate to survive, but eventually it turns into dystopia when 2 of the boys become outcasts of the group.

LESSONS LA: In groups, students will place themselves

on the island and decide how their rules and power structure will be established.

SS: Students will compare and contrast hierarchy systems in government throughout history.

  CA: Students will bring in songs they think

relate to the story. Students will play part of the song for the class and explain how/why it relates to the text.

BRAVE NEW WORLD Aldous Huxley

This theme ties into the book because although everyone is

provided for and taken care of, it is at a cost.

LESSONS LA: Students can learn about symbolism

and discuss themes in the book that are relevant to today.

  SS: Students will discuss parallels

between the book and our society today. They will also learn about caste systems and have a class debate of the pros and cons of caste systems.

  CA: Students will make a poster and

create their own caste system.