Falling Skies: Is Dystopian as Harmless as It Seems?

   

 

Hunger Games. The Uglies. Fahrenheit 451. The Giver. Maze Runner.

What do these books have in common? Most likely, you see those names and immediately see the correlation: they are all dystopian books, and most of them are high-ranking as well. The Hunger Games has been on the New York Times bestseller list for years, selling millions of copies. 

With this rise in popularity, are there considerations that need to be made as to how we filter what we consume in this genre? Is this genre okay? Let’s dive into this. 

What is Dystopian?

Dystopian is defined as “of, relating to, or being an imagined world or society in which people lead dehumanized, fearful lives.” In a nutshell, dystopian fiction is based around the struggle for people to survive in a post-apocalyptic world.

Here are some common themes in dystopian works:

- Oppressive government control (Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins)

- Dehumanization of individuals and loss of individuality (Brave New World by Aldous Huxely)

- Environmental Collapse (Two Degrees by Alan Gratz)

- Censorship and Destruction of Knowledge (Fahrenheit 415 by Ray Bradbury)

- Religious Control - (The Mark by Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye)

- Post-Apocalyptic Survival (Left Behind by Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye)

- Rebellion and Resistance (Divergent by Veronica Roth)

(Note: We do not endorse or encourage the reading of the books above, as the majority go against our mission. They are solely used to explain the ideas.)

Dystopian shows us what the world could look like in a completely godless, immoral society, and it can become a big problem if not kept in check.

Problems with Dystopian

There are some major problems that this genre presents, such as the abundance of language, gore, and sexual immorality that pervades the pages. Oftentimes, this genre glorifies certain aspects of sin by explaining them away as "necessary means to an end." Take, for example, this quote from Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games:

"The only rule is to stay alive." --Hunger Games

Killing is only a means to an end. Killing the ruler is the only way to fix this, so we'll kill anyone to get the tyrant off the throne.

How do we know the protagonist won't become a tyrant? Does the end truly justify the means?

Language is also a major issue. The pages often contain multiple profanities, sometimes more than that. God commands us to bless, not curse, with our tongue (James 3:10). While this flagrant cursing may be an accurate portrayal of a godless society, should we, as Christians, called to be set apart, consume this? Should we explain away things because they are "accurate portrayals"?

Sexual immorality also pervades the culture of the dystopian book. Things done in secret are now flagrantly laughed about in the streets. Garishly immodest clothing, being examined as an object and not a person, and sleeping around, do not glorify God in any way, and as Christians, we are not to even have those things spoken of! Should we then be reading about it?

Men are fallen, godless creatures, and without the sovereign hand of God keeping us in check, we would indeed become these societies. We haven't because God is in control, keeping us from these atrocities and giving us hope even in the hard times. This is what the dystopian genre gets wrong.

Redeeming Aspects of Dystopian

Now, before you glare at your screen and think I'm simply cancelling the entire genre, think again. The dystopian genre can be effective and even life-changing if done well. Every genre (except maybe horror) is redeemable for the Christian writer and reader. I'll list some positive aspects below.

Dystopian can help us by:

- Showing Us the Depth of Human Depravity

- Giving Us a New Appreciation for the State of Our World

- Showing Darkness as a Backdrop for Light

- Portraying Post-Rapture Scenes

- Show Us Who We Could Become

- Show the Fight Between Good and Evil

- Encourage Standing Up for Christ Amidst Persecution

Dystopian is indeed redeemable, and I am currently working on a dystopian novel myself. It can be a great backdrop to show redemptive character arcs and discourage us from continuing down a path that will eventually lead us to become such a society. It doesn't happen overnight, and we need to stand up for the truth in a godless society.

Now, how can we portray these things well as writers? We know the things to avoid as readers (glorified sin, sex, language, and over-the-top gore), but how do we successfully write in this genre as Christians?

How to Reflect Christ in Dystopian

Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye did an excellent job countering the cultural norms in their Left Behind series and the teen version, Left Behind: The Kids. This 12-book series portrays the post-apocalyptic effects on the world after the Rapture. In the twinkling of an eye, millions are taken to be with the Lord, and those who are left behind must choose to follow Christ in a world that hates Him. Amidst torture, earthquakes, famines, freezing temperatures, and other dystopian-like threats, their love for Christ grows them more and more together as a church family. Although there is plenty of death and brutality/torture, it is portrayed tastefully, avoiding cursing and sexual acts (although mentions of immorality being flagrant are present).

Jenkins and LaHaye proved that it is possible to redeem the dystopian genre. Practically, what are some things to avoid and implement?

Avoid:

- Cursing (saying someone cursed is fine, but no real cursing)

- Detailed descriptions of sexual acts

- Excessive detail about blood, gore, and/or depression

Implement:

- Hope in darkness

- Moral standards

- Redemption

Dystopian is a powerful tool to use, but only if we use it right. Like a diamond shines brighter when placed on a black backdrop, so the light of Christ can brighten against the background of a godless, dystopian society. We need to keep our lights shining even in the darkness.

For more details on this, I will be releasing an article next week on how to portray joy and hope in fiction!

Conclusion

In summary:

- Dystopian is a tool, and it can be used either for evil or good.

- We need to avoid the negative portrayals of dystopian and instead seek out those that glorify Christ and not sin.

- We can write a dystopian work that glorifies Christ

It is a unique genre, one with huge potential if you use it rightly. Just as a knife can be either a tool or a weapon, so can dystopian be either a tool to build up your faith, or a weapon to destroy it. Go out and write, read, and live for the glory of Christ, walking in His light as the Children of God you are!

"...For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them."

Ephesians 5:8-11 (ESV)

In Christ Alone, 

~Alaina