RAIS
RESEARCH ASSOCIATION for INTERDISCIPLINARY NOV. 2 0 1 8 STUDIES
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.1572304
Hope and Violence in Dystopia Lima Bhuiyan Nova Southeastern University, Tampa FL, nlimab06@gmail.com ABSTRACT: The fact that America has been plunged into a period of dystopia cannot be argued. The nation not only meets the dictionary definition of dystopia itself, but we are daily watching an Orwellian present, which includes censorship, “alternative facts,” blows to education, muzzling of scientists and constant incitement of fear. Typically, dystopian fiction offers an escape that is so farfetched; it is not a real threat to daily life. In these stories humanity always steps up to help one another and anyone can make a difference; this is what makes these stories both hopeful, and relatable. But how does this translate into real life? In the days since the election of President Trump, we have seen this hope spill into the streets in the form of resistance. This paper will argue that while we might live in a dystopian present, there is a newfound surge of hope we have seldom seen in this nation that comes in the form of protest and violence. With each march, hashtag and moment of defiance, an ally speaks for the downtrodden and as history has proved, sometimes violence is the direly needed catalyst for change. Even in the face of dystopia, like reflecting the novels we have all come to know, the average person can and in certain cases, has a duty to fight for a hopeful future. KEYWORDS: Dystopia, President Trump, The Hunger Games, protest
Introduction Fiction has often warned of a far-fetched dystopian world; popular examples include improbabilities such as reproduction based on a caste system (The Handmaid’s Tale), books and education as banned (Fahrenheit 451) and even the concept of children battling in deadly arenas for the amusement of the few and privileged (The Hunger Games). These novels almost scold us from the future, detailing political consequences often not within the realm of the protagonist’s control. “Reader, turn back. Do what you must today to steer the world away from this eventuality now!” they shout. Yet, what would be the result if the warnings of such fictional books were not heeded? Within the first few months of filling the White House vacancy, President Trump’s initial acts as President included: a global gag order barring any American funding from going to NGOs which might provide abortion services or reproductive education, appointment of a Secretary of Education with no education experience, and spending much time engaging in questionable social media practices on Twitter. Additionally, American citizens have been detained and questioned about their religion, many fear round-up style deportations and environmental concerns such as global warming or the expansion of the North Dakota pipeline, continues to be ignored. The architecture of a created dystopic world varies from novel to novel, but they all inflict similar feelings within the reader. In particular, these works of fiction seem to reinforce the idea of oppression by the rulers or government. That we currently live in the world fiction once warned us about cannot be denied. The Webster dictionary definition of dystopia states, “an imaginary place where people lead dehumanized and often fearful lives” (Dystopia 2017). It is a simple explanation but since the election and rise of Donald Trump rhetoric, many US residents have witnessed a type of dehumanizing fear, unlike any election before. There has been an increase of racial tensions not seen since the Civil Rights movement, constant threat of trade wars with international allies and anti-media or “fake” news hysteria; dystopia is no longer imaginary for the American populace but the period in which we now live. However, dystopia can also exist as a period for the populace effected. Essentially, a certain peoples can experience dystopia till change knocks everything askew. For example, 1800s US slavery was heinous and unbeatable dystopic way of life for the slaves but utopic for wealthy owners. Both groups lived in slavery as a system, till the metaphorical deck was suddenly re-shuffled with the Emancipation proclamation and that dystopic period had changed for both parties. Typically, dystopian fiction offers an escape that is so farfetched; it is not a real threat to daily life. Often in stories such as Hunger Games, When She Woke, and The Uglies, humanity always steps up to help one another and anyone can make a difference; this is what makes these stories both hopeful, and relatable. But how does this translate into real life? In the days since the election of President Trump,