Now & Then — How Dystopian Worlds Can Address Current Problems
When I started writing Toffy’s Divide, all I wanted was a story about a guy writing his own story, based in the year 2049. (Why 2049? Find out here — it rhymed with the first words of Chuck D on this song)
That’s it.
I did not have a particular story structure or genre. It was only 5 years after starting that story that my editors told me that my genre was leaning towards Dystopian.
When I reflect on it Toffy’s Divide is a story of rebellion, starting off as a spark — from a music project that I was cooking up.
So how did I end up writing speculative fiction that was dystopian without even realizing it?
To start with, I was influenced by books I read and the influences I pulled from during my 5-year journey towards publication. Books such as FAHRENHEIT 451, 1984, and PARABLE OF THE SOWER to mention a few.
Even though I didn’t plan on it, I ended up publishing my first novel about courage and self determination in a science-fiction time capsule of the year 2049.
Dystopia was not the original plan but that’s where I ended up.
There are however a few themes that cut across for the dystopian fans out there. I’ve learned that dystopian novels can be used as a piece of work that addresses current world problems.
Similar to Dystopian writers, Afrobeat music pioneer and legend, Fela Kuti knew the importance of using satire to get his point across.
So what is Dystopia?
According to Merriam Webster dictionary, Dystopia is an imaginary place where people are unhappy and usually afraid because they are not treated fairly.
Another definition states: “dystopia is an imagined world or society in which people lead wretched, dehumanized, fearful lives”
From my brief research around, the genre usually depicts anarchy, conformity, oppression, and mass poverty.
Dystopian novels have some strong themes. They also share the author’s viewpoint mixed in with their imagination. And they are filled with satire.
Strong Dystopic Theme
According to Dystopian writer, Margaret Atwood, “government control, environmental, destruction, tech control, survival, and loss of individualism are all key characteristics of Dystopian novels.”
All these themes can be found in TOFFY’S DIVIDE. From consolidated corporate control, to omnipresent tracking and monitoring. From the streamlined miles of automated technological advancements, to the compounding force to conform for social validation. A loss of individualism and collective coherence, and the destruction of the environment to boost one side of town at the expense of the other.
How did these themes end up in my first novel?
The only clear decision I had in the book was the inequality between both sides of the city. Everything else was built on this central theme, spotlighting how easily the characters had accepted the status quo.
Toffy’s Divde gave me the space to explore these themes in a creative way. By highlighting some of the ills and advantages in our present day in a fictional world, it allowed me to depict a sort of a “warning” - that we we could be building towards such a dystopic world now.
I think that’s beauty if the dystopian genre.
The version of the world that’s built by dystopian fiction writers never really plays out. George Orwell’s 1984, Ray Bradbury’s Fanhrenheit 451, or Magaret Artwood Handmaiden’s Tale haven’t really come fully to fruition. But the extremes that dystopia depicts gives us a glimpse into the possible future, making it jarring enough for us to pay attention.
With a connection to the present that these things are happening now to an extent. This is part of what I, as a writer, was trying to point out, a perspective I wanted to share.
I wanted to share my point of view, my imagination, and express some satire on the current realities of life. These three reasons are why people write Dystopia (well, most genres in general).
Share author’s view
Dystopian worlds point out things that are current problems and warn us about the future through the author’s perspective.
Here’s a snippet from the New York Times on George Orwell’s point of view in 1984, 35 years after the author published the book.
Today, on the threshold of the real year 1984, we ask ourselves how much of Orwell’s fictional world has become reality and what the prospects are for a more sensible world.
In our 1984, Big Brother will not conquer the world. However, the warnings of George Orwell are more than ever relevant. Oceania, Eurasia and Eastasia do not exist and Big Brother did not succeed in destroying individual thought. However, in a large part of our world, he did succeed, through the management of the news and the censorship of the written and spoken word, in severely impairing man’s ability to think freely.
With Toffy’s Divide, I tried to project 30 years ahead, considering how technology and technology companies could be built to heighten inequality, kill curiosity, and break up communities.
It was my attempt to point out the current economic and digital divide that exists in our world. Something I’ve become more familiar with as I move between the Bay Area, California and different cities around Africa. Dystopian novels can be used to share the author’s viewpoint. The way they see life in the present.
I used the story to point that out some current realities but hyped it up with imagination.
Dystopian books are very imaginative
Dystopian worlds also require the author to push the bar or predict a future that’s almost impossible with relatable stories that makes the story seem possible.
Since a lot of stories are character-driven, even if the world is out of the reader’s imagined possibility, as long as the characters are relatable, we can suspend our disbelief as we advance through the plot. Especially when we can empathize with how the character interacts with this “impossible world”.
This then forces the reader to imagine how they would act if present with a similar situation. It allows us to empathize through imagination and also gives us the space to reason whether some of these things are already happening now — in the present.
Satire
Dystopia — even though the name seems dark — doesn’t have to be all heavy.
One of my favorite songs from political activist and musical pioneer, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, is Look and Laugh. After years of using his music to fight again police brutality and military oppression in Nigeria, Fela used this song to say — and I’m paraphrasing here — “Look how bad things are now. What else can I do but laugh… My only other option would be to cry”
Similar to Dystopian writers, Afrobeat music pioneer and legend, Fela Kuti knew the importance of satire in getting his point across.
I also take a similar approach with my music and writing when certain topics become too heavy. Pointing out traits and behavior in a satirical fashion to point out the absurdity.
An example of this in Toffy’’s Divide, is my attempt to comment on the ever recurring “ass-kissing” of corporate and government “Yes Men & Women”. Along with the commentary of the unwavering confidence displayed by tech-enabled, self-proclaimed experts.
A lot of that was borrowed from my observations. Satire allows the reader to let their guard down a bit, so that your message can be conveyed effectively.
Current world, Dystopia, and Dialogue
My hope with Toffy’s Divide is to have a story that allows people to hold up a mirror to their world and their actions. And to take a moment to reflect on what they see. I hope that is conveyed through the storytelling in my dystopic novel and it’s accompanying mixtape (Toffy’s Divide: Mixtape — coming soon — Dec 2021).
“Open your eyes and look within,
Are you satisfied with the life you’re living?”
- Bob Marley & The Wailers, Exodus
It wasn’t to be prescriptive (well, maybe the last few pages) or tell people what to do. Toffy’s Divide was more of a question “would you want to live in this world?”
The dystopian genre has different pieces, warning us about the future, giving the author’s perspective, building empathy through imagination, and pointing out the truth in comedy.
You can use it too to generate dialogue around the current problems in your community and around the world.
