Theme of dystopia

[unhip_crayon]

I have finished reading my novel 1984 by Orwell and now I need to find a play with a common theme. The theme i have chosen was Dystopia and i cant find a play with that same theme. Can anyone help me?

Thanx

O, and if there are no plays with this theme, totalitarianism would also be a good one

[Virgil]

Brave New World is a novel of dystopia by Alduos Huxley.

[unhip_crayon]

i need a play with the theme of dystopia, not a novel. My school librarian gave me "arms and the man" by shaw but that play has nothing in common with my novel 1984.

[Schokokeks]

Hi there! :)

You don't specify whether the play has to be one of English literature, so I guess I'm free to suggest a play by Aristophanes:
The Birds is about the creation of a new state (geographically) in between heaven and earth, founded by two Athens with the help of birds. Due to the state's position in space, all smoke from ritual sacrifices does not reach the Gods anymore, but now nourrishes the birds and the new state (so what is the use of Gods, if they can be so easily deprived ? ). The ways of the new state soon spread over to earth, paving the way for a final chaos. It's very interesting to see how the idea power and rule is represented in the play (priests sucking the holy smoke intended for the Gods, and the role of the politicians), which could also lead you to a possible comparasion with 1984.

Good luck with your assignment !

[unhip_crayon]

thanks a lot, that might just work, but first i need to go over with it to the teacher to make sure its ok. in the mean time, if you guyz have any suggestions , that would be great



ty

[bazarov]

Jevgeny Zamyatin - We

[unhip_crayon]

^^^^

is that a play?

Also, i thought of a new theme i could do my assignment on; totalitarianism, so, if you u know any plays with the theme totalitarianism, plz post them. I only have two weeks to do this assignment


thank you

[bazarov]

I guess ^^^^ is for me. We is a short novel about society in some strange world, leaded by totalitaristic system.
Now I realized you need a play...Sorry!

[litlearner]

You can make the case that Arthur Miller's The Crucible is a dystopia. The Puritan community was meant to be an ideal religious community but the events that led to so many innocent people being burned as witches proved otherwise. Our own American dream comes under attack by Miller's allusions to the McCarthy hearings. I hope that helps.
Also, if a Distopia is a very bleak place, then Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot might be good to use.

[unhip_crayon]

lol, when I first picked this novel (1984), I thought it would be really easy to choose a similar play since a lot of things are based from this novel. Boy was i wrong :lol:

[Schokokeks]

There actually is another play, but I'm not sure if it is accessible and useful for you. It's about both, dystopia and totalitarianism (and anti-Semitism), and in that case would fit perfectly, but the problem is that it was originally written in German, and thus I don't know whether it is accessible to you...It is called Andorra by Max Frisch, taught in every other German high-school but seemingly never made it to international fame :)
Anyway, in case you're feeling bold and want to try it out, here's an English website on it that might help you with the eventual analysis: http://www.geocities.com/smeddles_worshipper/andorra/english/index.htm I've not found the English e-text anywhere, but why not order a translation from your bookstore ? The play's surely worth it, it's rather short so it won't be expensive or take a long time to read. And international literature will endlessly broaden your horizon :D and possibly impress your teacher ;).

Good luck :)

[Jantex]

Try with "Equilibrium" or "13th Floor";)

[Jolly McJollyso]

Also, if a Distopia is a very bleak place, then Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot might be good to use.
Dystopia is Utopia gone wrong. That play would probably not be the best of choices.