The Hunger Games, The City of Ember, The Obernewtyn Chronicles. They all paint a rather gloomy vision of the future, but they draw us in. They are thrilling, fascinating and addictive.
But why?
I believe one strong pull is curiosity about the unknown and the uncertain. The dystopian tale transports us to worlds very different from our own. It gives us a glimpse into possible futures shaped by environmental disaster, technology gone wrong and leaders who seek control. It invites us to explore our own values and fears, and to think deeply about the consequences of the actions we (and others) take.
The themes explored in dystopian stories are also A+ stuff. Things like adversity, resilience and courage. Dystopian characters commonly challenge the status quo. They defend the good and rise up against the bad, inspiring hope and reminding us we can make a difference (even though we may have to journey through bleakness to get there). These characters inspire us to make change.
And change we do.
Whether we realise it or not, dystopian tales impact us long after we’ve consumed them. They force us to listen and learn. They inspire thinking and reflecting about ourselves and the world around us, changing who we are on the inside as well as the actions we take on the outside.
They challenge us.
I think we like that challenge.
I think it pulls us in.
I think it pulls us in.
Shaye Wardrop writes for kids who love the fantastical. We’re talking cool creatures, superpowers and everything in between. Her short story Run features in Stepping Sideways (Rhiza Edge, 2024), an anthology of short stories exploring worlds of steampunk and dystopia.
Keen to know more? Shaye journeys the Internet on Facebook, Instagram and shayewardrop.com.
