Teaching Dystopian Literature to a Consumer Class.

Wilkinson, Rachel

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Title: Teaching Dystopian Literature to a Consumer Class

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Title:	Teaching Dystopian Literature to a Consumer Class
Authors:	Wilkinson, Rachel
Descriptors:	Novels; Citizenship; Imagination; Social Environment; Authoritarianism; Antisocial Behavior; Life Style; Purchasing; Consumer Economics; Advertising; Anxiety; Depression (Psychology); Self Esteem; Negative Attitudes; Needs Assessment; Fiscal Capacity; World Views; Hermeneutics
Source:	English Journal, v99 n3 p22-26 Jan 2010
More Info: Help Peer Reviewed:	Yes
Publisher:	National Council of Teachers of English. 1111 West Kenyon Road, Urbana, IL 61801-1096. Tel: 877-369-6283; Tel: 217-328-3870; Web site: http://www.ncte.org/journals
Publication Date:	2010-01-00
Pages:	5
Pub Types:	Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Abstract:	Many students are struggling with more depression and anxiety than ever before. These are characteristic dangers of the "consumer class"--1.7 billion people worldwide who are "characterized by diets of highly processed food, desire for bigger houses, more and bigger cars, higher levels of debt, and lifestyles devoted to the accumulation of non-essential goods." Mindless consumerism threatens physical, social, and psychological health; total abstinence, on the other hand, means starvation. The author teaches dystopian literature, which exaggerates modern context so that one can challenge it. Providing for its readers a glimpse into a horrifying but fully possible future, Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World" and M. T. Anderson's "Feed" show how unrestrained industry often relies on manipulation and herd mentality, an unspeakably grim encroachment on the individual. When the important thing is selling and buying, the individual becomes nothing more than consumer or worker. This is where it gets tricky: Young people love advertising, consuming, entertainment, and technology. If people attack these trappings of modern life, they risk nurturing defensiveness. The challenge is to focus on the dangers, demands, and opportunities common to the "consumer class" without alarmism--difficult terrain to navigate. Four important traits of modern consumerism that the two novels address are powerful advertising and industry, mindless consumption based on instant gratification, reliance on technology, and the resulting atrophy of language. English teachers can explore these important concepts with their students. Using these texts, they can meaningfully discuss what it means to be responsible, aware, knowledgeable, and moral consumers.
Abstractor:	ERIC
Reference Count:	12

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Identifiers:	N/A
Record Type:	Journal
Level:	N/A
Institutions:	N/A
Sponsors:	N/A
ISBN:	N/A
ISSN:	ISSN-0013-8274
Audiences:	N/A
Languages:	English
Education Level:	High Schools; Higher Education
Direct Link:	http://www.ncte.org/journals/ej/issues/v99-3

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