Why Are We Drawn to Dystopian Novels?

We all go through times when life seems like struggle. Some of those times are more difficult than others, but I think we've all had those moments when life is tough (to say the least). So why are we drawn to fictional stories that depict a dark and abysmal world? Wouldn't we want to escape into a world that was more carefree than our own?

Many of the dystopian novels I've read depict a society where its peoples' freedoms are taken from them, where they are struggling against the oppression of a dictator.

Some people might say that the intrigue is similar to watching a horror movie. We read about dystopias because it's a thrill that we can experience within the safety of our imagination, but I beg to differ.

I think the dystopian novel is not a contrast of our reality, but the reflection in a fun house mirror. We might say that looking into the mirror we see a distortion of who we are, but the main image is being reflected. What I'm trying to explain is that I've always seen dystopian novels as a reminder of how easily we can allow ourselves to believe that our society does not have its flaws. The dystopian novel is a way of looking at ourselves under the guise of another person.

Consider The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, a very popular and superbly written novel. Katniss, the lead protagonist, lives in a society where children are being forced to fight to the death for fame and glory. It's easy to say, "What a horrific act, how could any society allow such a thing?" Yet the concept is not too farfetched. Consider the young men and women who are being sent to war to fight for the wealthy politicians and government figures? Isn't there any way to stop war and the loss of so many? Is Collins attempting to question the motives of war, is it possibly a publicity stunt? I don't want to take sides in this political debate, but I do think the dystopian novel raises pertinent questions. We've accepted many things as the norm in society, yet the dystopian novel begs us to question what we've grown accustom to.

I've always been drawn to the dystopian novel because of its ability to turn the tables on how we view ourselves. It's easy to look through the eyes of a character, trapped in a dark situation and trying to free themselves from the bindings of society. Yes, I enjoy the adventure and the challenge the protagonist faces in rising against authority and thinking for themselves. But I also like the bigger picture that a dystopian novel provides.

The novel 1984, by George Orwell, reminds us that fear is a terrific way to control people. It asks us to question in what ways we allow ourselves to be controlled. In what ways have we accepted things the way they are and forgotten how to think for ourselves? 

At the surface of a great dystopian novel is a world the author has created that is unique and rich in detail. Yet this world that seems so foreign to us, is often not so far from our own faults or potential oppression. Does it remind us to be grateful for what we have and the security of our own lives? Yes, I think so. But it also reminds us to take a look at our reflection and be aware. If an outside reader were to pick up a novel on our society, what would they think about this world and its characters?


Why do you think we are drawn to the dystopian genre? What do you like about this theme in fantasy novels?