Propaganda in Dystopia: The indoctrination of the masses as an obstacle to plot and protagonist development
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Course
Genre Fiction (CS5031)
Institution
Bath Spa University (BSU)
In both classic and modern dystopian novels, propaganda created by authority builds an atmosphere where the protagonist and other character have to fight to overcome the warped ideals of others that clash with their mission. This narrative tool creates an environment from which there is more opport...
Propaganda in Dystopia: The indoctrination of the masses as an obstacle to plot and
protagonist development
In both classic and modern dystopian novels, propaganda created by authority builds an
atmosphere where the protagonist and other character have to fight to overcome the warped
ideals of others that clash with their mission. This narrative tool creates an environment from
which there is more opportunity for descent and conflict to grow. It is questionable whether
this is required for a novel to be called dystopian fiction, but certainly plays a large role in
many – classic and modern. As such it becomes increasingly important to have a character
that can see the misinformation for what it is, and show the reader the gaps in the half-truths
that are represented.
Perhaps one of the most pertinent examples of this is Phillip K. Dick’s Do Androids
Dream of Electric Sheep, wherein not only is television and media heavily controlled, but
also the brain and moods themselves, through the “mood organ”.
Ignoring the propaganda in the world of Androids is a constant struggle, one that Rick
Deckard, the protagonist of the novel, knows well. From the very start of the novel we see
cracks in the façade in the form or Deckard’s wife Irene, who comments that ‘My first
reaction consisted of being grateful that we could afford a Penfield mood organ. But then I
read how unhealthy it was, sensing the absence of life, not just in this building but
everywhere, and not reacting.1’
1
Dick, Phillip K, Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep [Kindle Paperwhite]. Amazon, 1999, DOI: 50
, Ryan Maskell
266794
CS5031
1898 Words
Irene’s rebuttal from the outset builds early questioning in the reader and an
indication straight away that there is more conflict to come. This holds true as the novel
progresses to reveal an internal conflict within the characters, as well as a physical
confrontation of different ideals in the form of the showdown between Isidore, Baty, Deckard
and Pris.
Propaganda and indoctrination is essential in this, the prophet Mercer, seen through the mood
organ, finally appearing to Deckard in real life, and, having considerable sway over him after
years of ideation and interaction, persuades him to kill them on the assumption that they are
androids, a fact that is never truly confirmed.
It is also at this point where, to an extent, two different forms of propaganda are in
competition with each other, the propaganda of the UN pushing a migration to Mars,
androids, and a better society: ‘Either as body servants or tireless field hands, the custom-
tailored humanoid robot-designed specifically for YOUR UNIQUE NEEDS, FOR YOU
AND YOU ALONE-given to you on your arrival absolutely free, equipped fully, as specified
by you before departure from Earth; this loyal, trouble-free companion in the greatest, boldest
adventure contrived by man in modern history will provide.2’ While all the while Buster
Friendly is on the television almost twenty four hours a day, pushing ideals that were more
acceptable in the days before the world war; how to fit into society.
The challenger to these ideals comes in the seemingly unlikely form of Isidore, who
despite having an IQ too low to be allowed on Mars, recognises the battle between the two
parties, realising that ‘In subtle, almost inconspicuous ways, Buster ridiculed the empathy
boxes3’, deciding that ‘They’re fighting for control of our physic selves; the empathy box on
2
Dick, Phillip K, Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep [Kindle Paperwhite]. Amazon, 1999, DOI: 209
3
Dick, Phillip K, Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep [Kindle Paperwhite]. Amazon, 1999, DOI: 898
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