Dystopia, according to the Merriam-Webster, is defined as “an imagined world or society in which people lead wretched, dehumanized, fearful lives.” Rather than defining dystopia as a physical or an imagined place, I define dystopia as the concept or practice of intentionally utilizing extreme conditions of control to oppress individuals for the purpose of creating a “perfect” society. To use my definition in a sentence, for example, I could say that the Germans during World War II were blindsided by the dystopia of Adolf Hitler.
Although the concept of creating a perfect society may seem beneficial, the act of enforcing it is very contradicting. As we all know, nothing can ever be perfect. Dystopias may seem perfect on the surface, but they actually contain many serious flaws and consequences. For instance, based on my experience with dystopian books, films, and reality, the concept of a dystopia diminishes basic human rights, such as those involved with one’s free will and individuality. In order to achieve a “perfect” society and ensure cooperation, extreme conditions of control must take place in which death would result to those who did not belong. A society where oppression and injustice exist does not seem like a perfect society at all. The achievement of utopia itself reflects a dystopian world, and I believe that it is impossible for humanity to ever achieve perfection.
