Silver Elite

Dystopian fiction is a sub-genre of science-fiction that emerged in the late 19th century and gained popularity in the 20th century as technological developments, world-wide warfare, and rising authoritarianism led to fears about what the future would look like. Dystopian literature, often set in the near future, frequently critiques elements of real-life society by showing the horrors that might arrive if society continues on its present course. The dystopian genre is characterized by its bleak, oppressive setting and tone. Characters live highly controlled or secretive lives in order to escape persecution. While characters in these stories face external conflicts at every turn, most of the stories’ emotional impact derives from the characters’ internal conflicts. Whether the protagonist is an active part of society breaking free from propaganda, a rebel working against the government, or one of the oppressed hiding to survive, their internal conflicts form the heart of dystopian novels. Because dystopian stories are highly character-driven, they typically lean into emotions such as paranoia, fear, and distrust.

Early dystopian works include Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley (1932),