Brave New World. The Handmaid’s Tale. 1984. Fahrenheit 451. Dystopian fiction explores social and political structures featuring attempts at perfecting living standards, yet fall short in all aspects and veils this nightmare through conformity, oppression, and control. It is an author’s vision of a possible future gone awry. It is distinct from utopia in which everyone is holding hands forming a human chain that surrounds the world in peace and harmony even if lawyers exist. As you read this, you are probably considering dystopian fiction as your schtick. Whether you plan to write a short story or a novel for this genre, here are some road maps to take note of.

Characteristics of a dystopian society

Propaganda is used to control the masses. All media channels are employed and the absolute power of the state controls the media. Think of China and North Korea. These countries are the closest epitome of dystopian societies.

Civil liberties are stifled. Citizens do not have the freedom to express themselves. For those who are insane enough to try, they do not live long enough to go on a crusade because the state is quick in inflicting retribution.

A figure, concept, or entity is a center of worship or adoration. Such an entity is almost godlike that defying him or dropping just a tiny remark against him is blasphemous or sacrilegious and punishable by death.

Citizens are under surveillance 24/7. It’s like being a contestant on the reality show Big Brother but without the privilege of hooking up with roommates, free lodging, and parlor games. They just watch you out of fear that you might pilfer expensive beer mugs.

Citizens are confined to their city. The state’s indoctrination includes brainwashing so that the people have developed a fear of the outside world. Citizens could only wonder what is out there. If they have the spunk to cross borders, a sniper puts a bullet in their heads.

Citizens are stripped of their dignity. What do you expect? Dignified citizens tend to rise against their oppressors. To keep the citizenry in line, the state makes them live in dehumanized conditions. Food is scarce. Clothing and hairstyles must be approved by the state. Social media and Netflix are banned. Gigli is the only DVD available at the local video store.

The natural world has no room. Something about a panoramic view of lush greenery doesn’t sit well with totalitarian honchos of dystopian states. It’s like they fear that communing with nature would renew people’s sense of their self. 

Citizens are expected to conform. Individuality and originality are taboos. Everyone is lobotomized sheep. A yakking monkey gets locked in an iron maiden or a barrel spiked with nails and rolled down a rocky slope.

As you can see, there is plenty of social, emotional, personal, and psychological conflict that the writer can provide his protagonist.

Your dystopian protagonist will exhibit these characteristics:

He becomes stoic. He is trapped in a world in which he desires to escape but doesn’t know how.

He questions the pervading oppression in silence. Except if he finds like-minded individuals (which he will), but then they will have trouble finding a secret meeting place because all areas of the state are bugged.

He tries to discover what lies out there. Sure, a better place could be waiting for him and his fellow citizens out there in Vegas.

He helps readers to create awareness on the possibility of a dystopian future. Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-un should read dystopian novels.