Media w światach dystopijnych
Media in Dystopian Worlds

Figures and Functions of Media Technologies in "R.U.R.", "Brave New World", and "Nineteen Eight-Four"

Author(s): Krzysztof Gajewski
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies, Media studies, Studies of Literature, Sociology of Culture, Sociology of Politics
Published by: Ośrodek Badawczy Facta Ficta
Keywords: dystopia;dystopian fiction;media;George Orwell;Aldous Huxley;Karel Čapek;dystopian studies;
Summary/Abstract: Krzysztof Gajewski’s text aims at examining the role of communications media in dystopian fiction stories. First, some terminological conventions are invoked that determine how the notion of dystopia will be understood in this text. The research perspective is the theory of new media. Analyses are carried out on three sample literary works—all regarded as classic dystopian representations—"R.U.R." by Karel Čapek, "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley and "Nineteen Eight-Four" by George Orwell. Additional consideration is given to how media technologies are portrayed in fictional worlds including their functionality. Socio-historical context may also influence the methods in which media technology is presented. The closing statement of the article discerns between the progressive saturation of new communication media within the literary works, herein analyzed, and the parallel processes that lead to the development of real-world communication technology

• Details
• Contents