Dystopian Imagery

In this lesson you will explore dystopian images and short stories, interpreting the ways they reflect our current society. *The dystopian images are an assortment from various movies selected by the teacher.

Instructions - Read carefully!

“Minds On” Dystopian World Simulation - Big Brother is Watching YOU! The Importance of Silence

This activity will be completed in silence. All communication must be done in writing. You will have time to speak in pairs and in the large groups later. Ask all questions now as you will not ask questions or talk during the activity.

Step 1: Station Commenting in Silence

Comment on each Big Paper: Each student will receive a marker or pen. You are to walk around the room, inspecting each image in silence.

- After you have viewed an image or video, you are to comment on it and ask questions of each other in writing on the Big Paper.

-The written conversation must relate to the image or connects that you can make. You may write connections to what other students have written.

-If someone in the class writes a question, another student can address the question by writing on the Big Paper. You can draw lines connecting a comment to a particular question. Please note, more than one of you can write on the big paper at the same time, but no talking!

Step 2: Class Discussion - Share your reactions

*What did you learn from doing this activity?

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*How does the ‘silence’ add to the idea of a dystopian society?

II. Short Story Literature Circles

*Short Stories include: “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson and “All Summer in a Day” by Ray Bradbury.

In groups of 4, you will participate in a literature circle to discuss dystopian short stories in depth.

Discussion and your assignment will be based on the following...

1. Give a small summary of the short story (1 minute).

2. Describe what makes the short story dystopian. Use your previous handouts to back up your opinion.

3. Respond to two of the following questions below:

• What feelings and/or thoughts do you have after reading the short story?

• What characters do you particularly connect or find interesting? Why or why not?

• Place yourself in the shoes of any character at any point during your reading, write about how you feel as that character.

• Which characters (if any) feel powerless? Why or Why not?

• Do you see any ways that any of the characters feel disconnected to their world? Can you think of any incidents in your own life in which you felt on the outer rim of your own social world? What placed you there?

• What parallels can you make between the text and the society in which you live?

• What elements of this world or society can connect to our current world?

How do these short stories relate to the images in the “Minds on Dystopian World Simulation”?

Dystopian Short Story Analyze Graphic Organizer

Name of Short Story:

Specific Reasons from the Story that it is Dystopian

Characteristics of Dystopia

Why is the Story Dystopian? (Give specific reasons from the story and connections to Characteristics of Dystopia information)

Responses to 2 questions