In the haunting worlds of dystopian literature, inequality reigns supreme. Societies are divided by class, race, and power, as depicted in some of the most gripping new dystopian novels, like The Down Days by Ilze Hugo, The Companions by Katie M. Flynn, or The Memory Theater by Karin Tidbeck.  From towering skyscrapers of privilege to the desolate wastelands of the oppressed, these stories vividly illustrate the consequences of unchecked inequality. This blog is a short discussion of dystopian worlds with themes of inequality, shining a light on the darkest corners of societies built on injustice.

Really, some of my favorite novels have revolved around this inequality theme.  I grew up reading The Giver by Lois Lowry, and while I didn’t understand it completely, I knew there was something wrong with a utopian society where people are assigned roles that dictate their entire lives, illustrating the dangers of enforced equality. Perhaps this is because I realized I was different and none of the traditional female roles of society fit with my more butch mentality.  So, The Giver was by far very important and revealing to me as I related to the main protag Jonas who didn’t fit in with any of society’s norms. There are so many things that felt wrong about that utopia. But I finally figured out my world so that one looks a little less suspicious.  

I also love watching movies like In Time, a 2011 science fiction action film directed by Andrew Niccol where everyone has a digital clock on their forearm that counts down how much time they have left to live. Time becomes the currency, with people trading and working to earn more.  The rich have thousands of years of life and the poor run out and die. Or the movie Elysium, a 2023 film that controls social classes by separating the wealthy from the poor.  Elysium is the sky space station providing a stark division between the wealthy inhabitants and the impoverished population of Earth. The people of Elysium have access to advanced medical technology that can cure any illness, while those on Earth suffer and die from preventable diseases due to a lack of medical resources. The main protagonist is a reluctant hero, challenging the status quo and attempting to bring equality to the two worlds.

Novels that use inequality as a theme often reflect real-world issues–social, political, and economic issues–in today’s world. By exaggerating or distorting it in a fictional setting, authors can highlight its effects and consequences, making readers think critically about the inequalities present in their own societies. The theme is also closely tied to power dynamics of systems of oppression, authoritarian governments, or corporate control. This theme helps create conflict, which is the lifeblood of storytelling. The clash between the haves and the have-nots provides ample material for plot development. Compelling narratives arise of quests for justice, struggles of survival, moral dilemmas, internal conflicts, and opportunities for growth and change. 

One last note, my favorite area of dystopian novels is the world-building. With the theme of inequality, you can clearly see the very fabric of a fictional world is altered. Think of SnowPiercer and that train that has the poor at the end, and the rich in front. Or The Giver with its principle of Sameness, where everything is carefully controlled to eliminate differences and conflict. The uniformity of the houses, the clothing, and even the landscape reinforce the idea of a society where individuality is suppressed in favor of conformity. How cities are designed, how resources are distributed, the boundaries that form, and the limited information and experiences are all factors that help develop the fictional worlds of these novels.