Content Category
Literary Criticism
Abstract/Description
The Dystopian genre of the mid-18th century, with underpinnings of Communism, Nazism, and totalitarianism, was one thing. The Hunger Games is quite another. Or is it? The recent upsurge in dystopia in the younger demographic is undeniable—but why is it so popular with teenagers? George Orwell wrote that “telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” Dystopia's unique brand of “telling the truth”—with its basis in real sociopolitical issues and its development of believable young adult protagonists—is in fact what makes this genre so appealing to a younger readership. Young adult dystopia generally and The Hunger Games specifically defy assumptions of sociopolitical apathy in young adults by placing young protagonists in a powerful position to effect widespread change in their society. This genre thus has an exceptional potential to be a powerful tool for encouraging young adults to enact revolutionary change in the real world around them.
Copyright and Licensing of My Content
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Location
B192 JFSB
Start Date
20-3-2015 1:45 PM
End Date
20-3-2015 3:00 PM
Included in
A Revolutionary Act: Investigating the Draw of Dystopia in Young Adult Literature
B192 JFSB
The Dystopian genre of the mid-18th century, with underpinnings of Communism, Nazism, and totalitarianism, was one thing. The Hunger Games is quite another. Or is it? The recent upsurge in dystopia in the younger demographic is undeniable—but why is it so popular with teenagers? George Orwell wrote that “telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” Dystopia's unique brand of “telling the truth”—with its basis in real sociopolitical issues and its development of believable young adult protagonists—is in fact what makes this genre so appealing to a younger readership. Young adult dystopia generally and The Hunger Games specifically defy assumptions of sociopolitical apathy in young adults by placing young protagonists in a powerful position to effect widespread change in their society. This genre thus has an exceptional potential to be a powerful tool for encouraging young adults to enact revolutionary change in the real world around them.