Unit 4 - Dystopian Worlds by Miss Thapa

Research Task 1

s_s735 — 2025-09-14 00:40:24 UTC

Your task is to conduct research and select one contemporary real-world example, statistic, or expert opinion that connects to one of the dystopian themes.

Post a short summary (2–3 sentences) of your evidence and the source (link).
Explain how the real-world evidence connects to a dystopian theme.

Sentence Starters

Introducing the Evidence
- According to (expert/source), …
- A recent (article/report/study) shows that …
- Statistics reveal that …
Making the Connection to Dystopian Themes
- This connects to the dystopian theme of … because …
- This evidence reflects the fear of … which is also explored in the film.
- Like the faction system in Divergent, this issue shows …
Applying to Persuasive Speech
- This evidence could be used to argue that …
- This supports the viewpoint that …
- An audience would find this persuasive because …
- This shows why dystopian texts are still relevant in today’s world since …

Task 1 Example

s_s735 — 2025-09-14 01:24:08 UTC

"The federal statistics show nearly half — or 47% — of those currently detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lack a criminal record and fewer than 30% have been convicted of crimes, a sign of the widening scope of President Trump's escalating crackdown on illegal immigration."

This news article shows how many immigrants are being detained under the Trump administration, even when they have not committed crimes. Reports also describe overcrowded facilities and limited access to legal support.
This connects to the themes of government control and loss of individual rights. In dystopian societies, people are often punished or locked up simply for being different or seen as a threat, not because of actual crimes. ICE detentions mirrors this by holding people without charges, creating fear and reducing personal freedom.

Reflection Task 2

s_s735 — 2025-09-14 01:27:09 UTC

Which dystopian theme/concept are you most interested in for your persuasive speech, and why?

Charlie Kirk Assasination

jackgold854 — 2025-09-14 23:30:20 UTC

The public has received propaganda towards charlie kirk and his views. Furthermore, the news is selective in the sources/views they feed to the public only showcasing his negagive side hence leading to the assassination.

Charlie kirk Assassination

dniag — 2025-09-14 23:30:37 UTC

The result of the assassination came from an individual that didn't agree with Charlie's opinion. this could relate to the dystopian theme of social division as there were two different perspectives present.

Controlment

aeeeeeehhhh — 2025-09-14 23:31:38 UTC

Controlment is in various amount of countries. Such as: North Korea, America, Australia, Russia, and Pakistan.

Survival (war in Gaza)

eread6_1 — 2025-09-14 23:32:42 UTC

World

Israeli strikes kill dozens in Gaza as controversy and concern grow over humanitarian aid

Updated on: May 26, 2025 / 7:26 PM EDT / CBS/AP

Israeli strikes killed at least 52 people in the Gaza Strip on Monday, including some 36 in a school-turned-shelter that was struck as people slept, igniting their belongings, according to local health officials. The military said it targeted militants operating from the school.

Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 251 people in the 2023 terrorist attack. More than half the hostages have been returned in ceasefire agreements or other deals, eight have been rescued, and Israeli forces have recovered the remains of dozens more.

This real-world event connects to the dystopian characteristic of the survival of innocent civilians and the destruction of their homeland, leaving them lost and misplaced across the middle east and in foreign countries.

lmans6 — 2025-09-14 23:33:39 UTC

according to multiple websites, there are many real life situations that connect to dystopian themes, including economic inequality, environmental collapse, and technological control.

jgoldylocks — 2025-09-14 23:34:21 UTC

This article states that the Australian dream is becoming impossible by rising costs brought on by a totalitarianism like government that only believes in growth and drives up prices. Also social division is growing as prices for cost of living rise.

charlie kirk

kpere3 — 2025-09-14 23:35:08 UTC

the result of the assasination of charlie kirk was from someone who disagreed with charlie kirks opinions. the public has recieved propaganda towardss charlie and his views. the news and sources only feed the public info that puts a negative effect on charlie kirk which led to his death

'Russia now is like 1984': Inside a Russian dystopian library

brogantv12 — 2025-09-14 23:35:09 UTC

3 June 2024

Save

Steve RosenbergRussia Editor, in Ivanovo

BBC A sign in Russia reading To VictoryBBC

Russian propaganda tells people the country is marching on to economic and military success

If the billboards in Ivanovo are to be believed, Russia’s really going places.

“Record harvest!”

“More than 2000km of roads repaired in Ivanovo Region!”

“Change for the Better!”

In this town, a four-hour drive from Moscow, a giant banner glorifying Russia’s invasion of Ukraine covers the entire wall of an old cinema. With pictures of soldiers and a slogan:

“To Victory!”

These posters depict a country marching towards economic and military success.

But there is one place in Ivanovo that paints a very different picture of today’s Russia.

I’m standing outside it. There’s a poster here, too. Not of a Russian soldier, but a British novelist. George Orwell’s face stares down at passers-by.

The sign above it reads The George Orwell Library.

George Orwell library in Ivanovno

The small library keeps books about totalitarianism and dystopian worlds

Inside, the tiny library offers a selection of books on dystopian worlds and the dangers of totalitarianism.

There are multiple copies of Orwell’s classic novel Nineteen Eighty-Four; the story in which Big Brother is always watching and the state has established near-total control over body and mind.

“The situation now in Russia is similar to Nineteen Eighty-Four,” librarian Alexandra Karaseva tells me. “Total control by the government, the state and the security structures.”

In Nineteen Eighty-Four, the Party manipulates people’s perception of reality, so that citizens of Oceania believe that "war is peace" and "ignorance is strength".

Russia today has a similar feel about it. From morning until night, the state media here claims that Russia’s war in Ukraine is not an invasion, but a defensive operation; that Russian soldiers are not occupiers, but liberators; that the West is waging war on Russia, when, in reality, it was the Kremlin that ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

“I’ve met people who are hooked on TV and believe that Russia isn’t at war with Ukraine, and that the West was always out to destroy Russia,” Alexandra says.

“That’s like Nineteen Eighty-Four. But it’s also like Ray Bradbury’s novel Fahrenheit 451. In that story the hero’s wife is surrounded by walls that are essentially TV screens, talking heads telling her what to do and how to interpret the world.”

Alexandra holds a copy of 1984

Alexandra Karaseva thinks Orwell's novel is now the reality in Russia

It was a local businessman, Dmitry Silin, who opened the library two years ago.

A vocal critic of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he wanted to create a space where Russians could “think for themselves, instead of watching TV”.

Dmitry was later prosecuted for “discrediting the Russian armed forces”. He’d been accused of scrawling “No to war!” on a building. He denied the charge. He has since fled Russia and is wanted by police.

Alexandra Karaseva gives me a tour of the library. It’s a treasure trove of literary titans from Franz Kafka to Fyodor Dostoevsky. There is non-fiction, too; histories of the Russian Revolution, of Stalin’s repressions, the fall of communism and of modern Russia’s failed attempts to build democracy.

The books you can borrow here are not banned in Russia. But the subject matter is very sensitive. Any honest discussion of Russia’s past or present can bring problems.

Donald Trump issues serious warning to Russia as Ukraine peace talks stall

zmund2 — 2025-09-14 23:35:28 UTC

US President Donald Trump has issued a sanctions warning to Russia as Moscow continues its strikes on Ukraine.

Peace talks between the two sides appear to have stalled as European leaders respond to a drone incursion by Moscow into Polish territory.

Less than a month after meeting with Vladimir Putin, President Trump claims he’s losing patience with the Russian President and is renewing his threat to put new sanctions on Moscow.

mevans21_11 — 2025-09-14 23:35:36 UTC

Donald Trump being shot at a campaign rally in 2024 feels dystopian because it highlights the collapse of political stability, the rise of violence, and deepening distrust in institutions. The assassination attempt, which left Trump wounded and others killed or injured, immediately triggered waves of conspiracy theories and partisan blame, showing how fractured and suspicious public discourse has become. Security failures, chaotic visuals of blood and panic, and the sense that even top leaders are no longer safe all add to the dystopian atmosphere, where democracy appears fragile and fear, anger, and division dominate political life.

Research Task 1

bbyron67 — 2025-09-14 23:36:04 UTC

According to a 2023 report by Amnesty International, over 27 million people worldwide are living in modern slavery, including forced labor and human trafficking.

"Amnesty International’s latest report reveals that despite laws against human trafficking and forced labor, millions remain trapped in modern slavery, unable to escape exploitation and abuse."

This report shows how many people around the world continue to suffer under oppressive systems that deny them freedom and basic human rights. This connects to the dystopian theme of loss of freedom and systemic control, where individuals are controlled and exploited by powerful entities.

North Korea's human rights

miabritten21 — 2025-09-14 23:36:21 UTC

The North Korean economy is strictly controlled and the government funnels money into its nuclear and missile programs despite widespread shortages of food, fuel and other basic necessities.

North Korea

mponce1_7 — 2025-09-14 23:38:46 UTC

North Korea relates to dystopia because of their strict government control and limited freedom, which cause people to live in fear. Citizens also lack basic needs and have a hard time surviving.

Divergent Activity

s_s735 — 2025-10-03 05:45:15 UTC

Now that we’ve watched Divergent, let’s pull together your understanding. Choose one dystopian concept shown in the final scenes (e.g., surveillance, rebellion, division, government control).

Then answer the following questions:

1. What’s one dystopian concept you've identified in the movie Divergent?

2. What happened in the film related to this dystopian concept?

3. What is a real-world issue that mirrors this concept?

4. How could you use this in your speech?

P.E.E.L Paragraph - Persuasive Paragraph Activity

s_s735 — 2025-10-12 06:47:13 UTC

Use P.E.E.L to structure your persuasive paragraph.

Point: State your stance clearly. What do you believe about the issue?

I believe... / People should/shouldn’t...

Evidence: Use examples from The Giver/Divergent and a contemporary real-world example.

In the film... we see that... / This is shown when…

A real world example is... / Similar issues can be seen in…

Explanation: Explain why this piece of evidence matters. How does it prove your point?

This shows that... / This is important because...

Link: Restates your main point in a new way, be a call to action or a strong concluding thought that shows why this all matters.

Therefore... / It is clear that... / For this reason...

Here’s a long, detailed paragraph on a dystopian issue:

jgoldylocks — 2025-10-16 03:01:02 UTC

In many dystopian societies, one of the most pressing and insidious issues is the systematic erosion of personal freedom under the guise of security, efficiency, or social stability, where governments or controlling authorities implement pervasive surveillance systems that monitor every aspect of citizens’ lives, from their communications and movements to their online activity and even their thoughts and emotions, creating an environment in which individuals are constantly aware that any deviation from prescribed norms could result in punishment, ostracism, or worse, and this fear becomes internalized, causing people to censor themselves, suppress dissent, and conform unquestioningly to the rules imposed upon them; such societies often justify these measures through propaganda that portrays compliance as virtuous and rebellion as dangerous, and by controlling education, media, and cultural narratives, they shape citizens’ understanding of reality, leaving them unable to distinguish between truth and manipulation, while the concentration of power in the hands of a few elites ensures that economic inequality, social stratification, and exploitation become entrenched, meaning that the marginalized or those who fail to conform face extreme hardship, limited opportunities, or even elimination, and all of this combines to create a cycle where fear, obedience, and hopelessness prevent collective action or meaningful resistance, illustrating how the loss of personal freedoms in a dystopian system not only undermines individual rights and autonomy but also erodes trust, community, and the very fabric of human dignity, ultimately producing a society in which survival and compliance overshadow creativity, justice, and the pursuit of happiness, leaving the populace trapped in a constant state of anxiety and submission.

Government Control

aeeeeeehhhh — 2025-10-16 03:03:15 UTC

Government control means the government makes decisions that affect how a country is run. This includes creating laws and rules that people must follow. For example, the government controls taxes to pay for public services like schools and hospitals. Therefore, government control helps organize society and keep everything functioning smoothly.

government control

miabritten21 — 2025-10-16 03:05:22 UTC

Government control is crucial for maintaining order and protecting citizens, as demonstrated by strict food safety regulations. It safeguards public health and promotes fairness, preventing corporations from prioritising profit over safety. Government regulation is not about limiting freedom, but about creating a stable, just society where everyone can thrive.

Paragraph

2025-10-16 03:05:26 UTC

In a world where governments and companies watch everything we do all the time, people lose their privacy and freedom. When someone is always being watched, they start to feel scared and stop being themselves. This constant spying stops people from speaking their minds or trying new ideas because they worry about getting into trouble. If we let this happen, we will live in a world where no one can be free, and everyone just follows the rules without question. We need to stand up against this kind of control to protect our rights and keep our freedom.

surveillance

2025-10-16 03:05:55 UTC

Surveillance in modern society raises serious concerns about personal freedom and privacy. Governments and corporations increasingly use cameras, facial recognition, and data tracking to monitor everyday activities, often without our full knowledge or consent. How would you feel knowing every step you take, every word you type, and every place you visit is being watched? Is this the price we must pay for safety? While surveillance is often justified as a tool for security, it can also feel like a silent invasion—stripping individuals of their dignity, autonomy, and sense of safety in their own lives. The fear of being constantly monitored creates anxiety and discourages free expression. If we allow surveillance to grow unchecked, we risk trading our essential freedoms for an illusion of protection—an exchange that no democratic society should accept

Surveillance- Xander

2025-10-16 03:07:50 UTC

In The Giver, surveillance is portrayed as a powerful tool that destroys personal freedom and individuality. The community’s leaders constantly monitor citizens through cameras and rules that control every part of their lives, even tracking emotions. This constant observation prevents people from developing thoughts or making real choices. It creates a society where obedience replaces creativity, and fear replaces trust. By removing privacy, the community removes what makes people truly human. Therefore, surveillance in The Giver serves as a warning about how controlling surveillance can be.

Censorship

lswenson12 — 2025-10-16 03:09:47 UTC

The censorship of individuals will eventually lead to full government control. It is the first step in the destruction of freedom it may start with a sensible reason but eventually the line will be pushed and they will censor more and more if news corporation are all that can be relied on they will eventually be bribed told to push certain stories and ignore others creating a bias the wider populus will share and with control over information they will start doing what they want.

Government Control

mponce1_7 — 2025-10-16 03:09:54 UTC

In a dystopian future, government control can become a dangerous issue because it suppresses people's freedom and restricts them from everyday activities. When the government controls everything, people's individuality and happiness are lost. This type of control is excessive and unnecessary form of safety which ends up causing more bad than good. Government control is often due to them having too much power and must be avoided to maintain a free and fair world.

Manuel

Harrison

jgoldylocks — 2025-10-16 03:10:01 UTC

Surveillance is often viewed as a safety measure, one that protects us, and I personally believe that surveillance is often very effective. But we must be weary with who we trust with the control of the system, because too often I am appalled to see horrible people in control. In the film the giver, we see surveillance at its most dangerous, high sensitivity microphones with cameras watch the every move of the citizens and they have no idea, there are even cameras in their home. they are used to catch jonas spreading the memories, criminating him in the beliefs of their society. This clearly shows that surveillance is dangerous and should be very closely monitored, to stop the worst people in our society to hold control of the most valuable part of the modern society.

Cameron

2025-10-16 03:10:11 UTC

My Dystopian issue is that in the movie "The Giver" the people in the community are being controlled by the government/higher ups.

It is evident why because their is a given curfew, medication, and job choosing. People are told what to do when to do it and this proves that they are controlled by the government. The government also controls the by also not telling them what's in the injection as it takes away their right to love and their memory's are swiped.

Surveillance

eread6_1 — 2025-10-16 03:10:18 UTC

In dystopian societies there is often Government issues, a rather significant one would be surveillance, which in societies it causes major privacy and safety concerns/issues. Surveillance is often used by the Government in these societies to monitor and extort the public, often using evidence of the towns people's activities to achieve order and "peace". This can be seen in films like divergent and the giver, where the governments/councils utilize hidden cameras amongst the living spaces and public spaces in the societies to maintain perfect order and keep all citizens "safe". The evidence presented, highly suggests that all societies should be free to do as they wish, to avoid extortion and government control and illegal use of surveillance equipment.

Dystopian societies are dangerous Dystopian societies are dangerous because they take away freedom, making people feel trapped and powerless. When people cannot make their own choices, fear and control dominate their lives. Happiness and individuality disappear, and life becomes unfair. Protecting freedom is essential so that people can think, act, and dream for themselves, creating a fair and meaningful society.

bbyron67 — 2025-10-16 03:10:22 UTC

survalliance - Darren

dniag — 2025-10-16 03:10:26 UTC

Would you want to live in a world full of secrets? well the film "The Giver" represents a dystopian world, hiding the bad secrets from the people. The main character "Jonas" recognizes that everyone should be able to experience the wonders of life. the government finds out that Jonas is trying to spread these secrets, so they use cameras to spy and monitor his every movement to make sure he doesn't tell anyone.

Government Control

sedmonds1_1 — 2025-10-16 03:11:11 UTC

Government Control:

Would you want to live in a society where the government takes all your freedom and power, to use it against you and control you. I believe that government control has a negative effect on society. In the film the Giver we see that Governments survey and control the society by having cameras everywhere and brainwashing people into thinking taking injections everyday is a good thing for the town. A real world example would be North Korea, where you cannot leave the country or do regular things. Government controlled societies are proven to be bad and it restricts peoples power in having freedom.

Surveillance

obuch1 — 2025-10-16 03:14:44 UTC

Would you feel comfortable in your own home if someone had eyes on your 24/7. Surveillance can be turned from a matter of security, into spying and leading to the abuse of peoples powers. In divergent, we see that the main elder has kept track of the receiver through cameras all around the community spying on him without knowing. In real life cameras are being used as perverted gateways and are leaving people uncomfortable in public places. Would want to feel safe in a public place. This shows that simple things can be abused and broken of their original meaning.

Oliver B

Surveillance

cjoby — 2025-10-16 03:18:55 UTC

Imagine living every moment in fear, knowing that your every word, thought, and action is being watched until even your own mind no longer feels safe. Surveillance is a dystopian issue because it takes away people’s freedom and privacy. In dystopian societies, governments use constant watching to control citizens and stop them from speaking or thinking freely. This creates fear and obedience, making people act like machines instead of individuals. When people know they are always being watched, they lose their ability to express opinions or make independent choices.