DYSTOPIA IN LITERATURE OF THE 20TH – 21ST CENTURIES

Abstract

Dystopia as a literary genre of the 20th and 21st centuries reflects the anxieties and fears of society about the possible consequences of social, political and technological changes. At the center of dystopian literature is the image of a dark, often authoritarian or technocratic future, where human rights and freedoms are under threat. These works are intended to warn readers about the possible risks of losing moral and spiritual values, dehumanizing society, destroying nature and strengthening control over the individual. In 20th century literature, prominent representatives of the genre are George Orwell with his novel "1984", Aldous Huxley with "Brave New World" and Ray Bradbury with "Fahrenheit 451". These works explore such themes as totalitarianism, suppression of individuality and the dangers of excessive dependence on technology. In the 21st century, dystopia continues to develop, reflecting new challenges of the time.  Authors such as Suzanne Collins' "The Hunger Games" and Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale" raise issues of social injustice, gender inequality, environmental disaster and manipulation of mass consciousness. The article analyzes the origins of the dystopian genre in Russian literature of the 20th century, the influence of the socialist system on the formation of this trend, as well as its final formation in R. Bradbury's novel "Fahrenheit 451". Particular attention is paid to dystopian motifs such as the standardization of life, the strengthening of consumer sentiments and the dominance of hedonistic values.