An “enlightener”
character: In your dystopian novel, who is the character
that exists in the story to give the main character a different or “enlightened”
view of his/her situation? Do you feel
this person is trust-worthy as a character?
How would the story change if this character were not included in the story? What are the main character’s interactions
with this “enlightener” like? Finally,
compare the characteristics of the “enlightener” in your book with the
characteristics of B. Wordsworth in the short story of the same name.
Emotions:
How do emotions of the characters play a role in their decisions and
their actions? Do they control their
emotions, or are their emotions affected and controlled by the circumstances in
which they live? How does emotional
strength (or lack thereof) affect the characters reactions to and relationships
with others? Finally, compare the role
of emotions in your dystopian novel with the role that emotions play in the
short story “Games at Twilight” By Anita Desai.
Peer/societal pressures: In what way, does
peer pressure or societal pressure play an important role in your book? How are the main characters affected by the oppressive
or controlling relationships they hold with other characters? Do you see your characters being strong
enough to escape these pressures, or will they forever be consumed by them? Finally, compare the role that peer/societal
pressures play in your book with the role they play in the short story “The
Doll’s House” or “The Rocking-Horse Winner.”
Internal
Conflicts for main characters: What are some of the
main internal conflicts and struggles that your main character encounters? How are these internal conflicts caused or
worsened by the dystopian setting in which he/she lives? How does the author make it clear what the
main character is wrestling with in his/her decision-making process (for example, first-person narration may be used to give you an inside
view of the character’s thoughts)? Finally, compare the
internal struggles you see your main character facing with those faced by
characters in the short story of your choice that you read.
Parent-child relationships: What are the
dynamics like in the important relationships between parents and their children
in this dystopian setting? What affects
the family bond within your book? How is your main character motivated or
affected by his parent(s)? Finally,
compare the role that the parent-child relationship plays in the story line of
your book to the role the parent-child relationship plays in the short story “In
the Shadow of War” or “The Rocking-Horse Winner.”
