Beyond Humanity: A Comparative Analysis of Dehumanisation in Dystopian Narratives.pptx

In here, I have discussed the element of dehumanisation in various dystopian works like 1984, Brave New World, etc.

1. Beyond Humanity: A Comparative Analysis of Dehumanization in Dystopian Narratives Presented by: Bhumiba Gohil

2. Academic Information Semester - 2 Roll no - 4 Paper no - 107 Paper - The Twentieth Century Literature: From World War II to the End of the Century Submitted to - Smt. S. B. Gardi, Department of English Email id - [email protected]

3. Understanding Dystopia “ Dystopia : an imagined world or society in which people lead wretched, dehumanized, fearful lives” ( Dystopia Definition & Meaning ) How important is Dehumanization in Dystopian Literature and how it’s portrayed by different creators?

4. to deprive (someone or something) of human qualities, personality, or dignity Dehumanization in dystopian literature showcases the loss of essential human qualities: identity and community. (Kelman) Understanding Dehumanisation “Dehumanisation - to deprive (someone or something) of human qualities, personality, or dignity” ( Dehumanize Definition & Meaning )

5. Dehumanisation in ‘1984’ “1984” presents a chilling portrayal of a dystopian society where government surveillance, thought control, and oppression are omnipresent. Orwell’s masterpiece delves into themes of authoritarianism, individualism, and the struggle for freedom. Author: George Orwell (pen name of Eric Arthur Blair) Year of Publication: 1949 Genre: Dystopian Fiction Setting: Oceania, a totalitarian state ruled by the Party led by Big Brother (Orwell)

6. Constant Surveillance and lack of privacy Newspeak - language manipulation Thought Police - surveillance on thoughts Hate Week - mob mentality and emotional manipulation Propaganda and Manipulation of history (Orwell) ( Solase ) Control over people’s relations Physical and psychological torture Physical degradation - rationing of food and supplies “For how could you establish even the most obvious fact when there existed no record outside your own memory?” “Who controls the past,’ ran the Party slogan, ‘controls the future: who controls the present controls the past.”

7. Author: Aldous Huxley Year of Publication: 1932 Genre: Dystopian Fiction, Science Fiction Setting: A futuristic World State where society is engineered for stability and conformity. “Brave New World” is an exploration of a dystopian future where technological advancements and social conditioning have eradicated individuality and free will. Huxley’s narrative delves into themes of happiness, control, and the price of progress. (Huxley) Dehumanization in ‘Brave New World’

8. ( Chizmar ) Artificial birthing process - “Decanting” Stunting mental growth of Epsilon children Future chemical workers trained Mental conditioning - Sound torture and electricution Soma drug to keep people calm Manipulation of the pleasure principles Ban on books that evoke strong emotions Naturally living community becomes example of ugly life

9. Dehumanization in ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ This novel presents a dystopian future where fundamentalist regime imposes strict control over women’s bodies and lives. Atwood’s narrative explores themes of power, gender, and resistance, offering a chilling commentary on the dangers of extremism and oppression. Author: Margaret Atwood Year of Publication: 1985 Genre: Dystopian Fiction, Speculative Fiction Setting: The Republic of Gilead, a totalitarian society in what was once the United States (Atwood)

10. The Handmaids are stripped of basic rights and freedoms that allowed them autonomy in the pre-Gilead era Gilead rigorously suppresses two key feelings for the Handmaids - the desire to talk freely and openly, and the "hunger to commit the act of touch." Constant surveillance by the regime's spies called "Eyes" Handmaids stripped of their original names and given the possessive labels of "Of + Commander's name" The Handmaids are reduced solely to their "reproductive capacity" and seen as mere "receptacles" or "wombs" by the regime (PETER and S.)

11. Dehumanization in ‘Never Let Me Go’ Novel follows the lives of Kathy, Tommy, and Ruth. They are clones created for the sole purpose of organ donation. Their struggles with identity and mortality, and their acceptance of their fate are explored. Ishiguro raises profound questions about humanity, ethics, and the nature of love. Author: Kazuo Ishiguro Year of Publication: 2005 Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian Fiction Setting: A dystopian version of England in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, focusing on the lives of students at Hailsham, a seemingly idyllic boarding school. (Ishiguro)

12. Living predetermined lives with their sole purpose being to become organ donors until they “complete” Largely passive and uncomplaining about their fate - Kathy’s empty narration Identities are replaced by codes and numbers Treated like animals bred for productive purposes “None of you will go to America, none of you will be film stars. And none of you will be working in supermarkets as I heard some of you planning the other day. Your lives are set out for you. You’ll become adults, then before you’re old, before you’re even middle-aged, you’ll start to donate your vital organs. That’s what each of you was created to do.” - Miss Lucy (Jasim)

13. Loss of Autonomy Suppression of Emotions Objectification Psychological manipulation Genetic engineering Strict gender roles Subtle exploitation Similarities - Differences -

14. Conclusion Dehumanisation becomes a powerful lens through which authors explore consequences of oppressive regime, societal control and the erosion of individual freedom It also serves as a cautionary tale for the readers about danger of unchecked power It portrays the potential for human rights abuse Promotes critical thinking and inspires social change

15. References - Atwood, Margaret. The Handmaid's Tale. Vintage, 1996. Chizmar, Paul C. “MIRANDA’S DREAM PERVERTED: DEHUMANIZATION IN HUXLEY’S BRAVE NEW WORLD.” Kent State University Honors College, 2012, https://etd.ohiolink.edu/acprod/odb_etd/ws/send_file/send ? accession=ksuhonors1335827209&disposition=attachment . Accessed 3 April 2024. “Dehumanize Definition & Meaning.” Merriam-Webster, 30 March 2024, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dehumanize . Accessed 2 April 2024. “Dystopia Definition & Meaning.” Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dystopia . Accessed 2 April 2024. Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World. Vintage, 2004. Ishiguro, Kazuo. Never Let Me Go. Faber & Faber, 2010.

16. References - Jasim, Amel M. “Brutal Dehumanization in Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go.” IRAQI Academic Scientific Journals, vol. 18, no. 73, 2022, p. 24. College of Arts / Tikrit University, https://www.iasj.net/iasj/download/8bf6022c932298cc . Accessed 3 April 2024. Kelman, Herbert C. “Violence without Moral Restraint: Reflections on the Dehumanization of Victims and Victimisers.” Journal of Social Issues, vol. 29, no. 4, 1973, p. 19, https://scholar.harvard.edu/sites/scholar.harvard.edu/files/hckelman/files/Violence_1973.pdf . Accessed 3 April 2024. Orwell, George. 1984. Prakash Books India Pvt. Limited, 2019. PETER, STILLMAN G., and ANNE JOHNSON S. “Identity, Complicity, and Resistance in The Handmaid’s Tale.” Utopian Studies, vol. 5, no. 2, 1994, pp. 70-86. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20719314 . Accessed 3 April 2024. Solase, Ujwala Pramod. “Surveillance, Gazing and Dehumanization in Dystopia.” INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE RESEARCH IN TECHNOLOGY, vol. 9, no. 2, 2022, https://ijirt.org/master/publishedpaper/IJIRT155927_PAPER.pdf. Accessed 3 April 2024.

17. Thank You!