American Journal of Undergraduate Research
www.ajuronline.org
Exploring the Relationship between Dystopian Literature and the Activism of Generation Z Young Adults Aysha Jerald Department of English, University of Georgia, Athens, GA https://doi.org/10.33697/ajur.2020.009 Student: aij81511@uga.edu* Mentor: ekraft@uga.edu ABSTRACT Some recent research has posited that the independent and revolutionary traits of Generation Z can be traced to the circumstances of their births, specifically the 9/11 attacks and the Great Recession. While there has been research examining the effect of these events on the type of behavior Generation Z exhibits towards political and societal issues, there has been little research that examines the literary culture in which they grew up. Did popular dystopian works such as Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (2009), Divergent by Veronica Roth (2011), and The Maze Runner by James Dashner (2009) have an impact on their political identities and behaviors? This paper examines that question by using a mixed method approach: a public questionnaire, thirteen in-depth interviews with a select group of Generation Z students from the University of Georgia, and direct content analyses of the key works under consideration. This study argues that the relationship between dystopian literature and young adult activism may offer insight into the ways literature can be used as a revolutionary tool. This study also hopes to add to the literature exploring the characteristics of Generation Z and the significance dystopian literature may have not only on a young adult’s thoughts but also their actions. KEYWORDS Dystopian Literature; Dystopian Literary Media; Generation Z; Youth Activism; Literary Influence; Activist Typology; Aspects of Literary Response: A New Questionnaire; College Students; Divergent; Catching Fire; The Maze Runner; Literary Culture, The Hunger Games INTRODUCTION Young adult activism is not a foreign concept to the United States. In the 1960s, the Civil Rights movement and the Vietnam War draft drew the attention of many young objectors, leading to the development of historical protests, marches, and organizations. Nearly sixty years later, with issues involving race and politics still prevalent, young adults are still actively on the move. This time, however, Generation Z stands at the forefront, armed with technological confidence and mastery. Generation Z Generation Z has no precise starting date. However, a rough estimate places the members to be born between 1996 and 2012. Marked with a vague concept of the American Dream, Generation Z cannot truly remember a time period before terrorism and environmental concerns existed in the world. Yet despite the dark stereotypes that surround the technologically absorbed generation, they are very interested in political and societal issues. For example, research has shown that because they do not trust elected officials, their feelings about the United States are pessimistic and dismal. However, they still believe voting is important due to strong concerns regarding inequality and the direction of the economy.1 Only recently has documentation shown Generation Z finally beginning to amplify their voices to make a difference, amidst the gun violence, gender and racial inequality, and other injustices of the current times.2 The question of where this motivation stems from has vaguely been answered, as some researchers suggest that the growing use of social media has proved itself an easier basis for activism.3 However, the literature lacks any other explanation and ignores the possibility of literature and/or literary media as a motivator as well. As the first wave of Generation Z entered adulthood, the popularity of dystopian literature increased in parallel. A dystopia, first coined in the 1700s, is an imagined society depicted as undesirable, evil, or oppressive.4 The most recognizable dystopian literature within recent years has been found primarily within the young adult genre and has since been successful in the literary market. According to an article published in 2017 by The New Yorker, dystopian novels seem to be in a “Golden Age.”4 Its
Volume 16 | Issue 4 | March 2020
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