Blog dive into dystopia

• Why do you feel dystopian novels (which envision a future where the world has gone wrong) are a trending genre in fiction? What are some other dystopian books you have read? In this short article found on NPR, what are some of the reasons teenagers find the dystopian genre captivating and what do brain experts have to say about it? https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2017/12/18/536007249/why-teens-find-the-end-of-the-world-so-appealing

I think that dystopian is a trending genre because it is always engaging and normally has a plot that is action packed and easy to follow. Dystopian is the main genre that I gravitate towards. I have read Hunger Games, Maze Runner, The Selection, Lightlark, Uglies,The Darkest Minds,ect. Some reasons that experts say that teens gravitate towards dystopian books is that they can relate to the characters. The worlds are often falling apart and that is how most teens feel. It helps with their brain development and helps them feel their emotions and gives them a sense of understanding to both their world around them, and the worst case scenario world that is possible. 

• HBO has already made a series on the novel (which is a little different from the book, er hum…) But without yet knowing what the novel is about what can you tell from this trailer? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPm52rq8CZA

Based off of the trailer, It seems like there is some sort of illness that has taken over the world and caused mass chaos. Things go wrong very quickly, and in trying to find some sort of solution and cure for this illness people go crazy and take drastic measures in order to find peace. I cannot tell how long this goes on for but it seems to be years and there is no end in sight until someone comes by offering  a potential plan. 

1. The novel opens with this epigraph from Czesław Miłosz. In what ways do you think this might connect with dystopian themes?

“The bright side of the planet moves toward darkness

And the cities are falling asleep, each in its hour,

And for me, now as then, it is too much.

There is too much world.”

I think that dystopian  themes align a lot with the end of the world and this opening shows everything moving towards darkness and things breaking. there is too much going on and everything is moving towards chaos which again aligns with the themes within dystopian books.

2. Read the first two chapters of Station Eleven and respond. The novel opens not with the pandemic (in this case it will be called The Georgian Flu), but with a theatrical production as the lead actor keels over on stage. Why do you think this scene opens the novel and what are your impression so far of central characters? In the second chapter, members of the crew meet at a bar. An ominous line ends the chapter. What do you want to know more about so far?

In the first chapter, Arthur is seen dead on the stage trying to be resuscitated. I thought it was really impactful way to open the book and it got you questioning what was going on right off the bat.  so far I think that the central characters are pretty full of themselves in a sense but I also can't tell too much because the one was just trying to save Arthur's life, but then was later seen talking to the paparazzi and having issues with his wife. the characters that I met at the bar, to have very little empathy towards anything outside of them. when talking about the three Ex-Wives that  Arthur had they seemed like they were mocking him. I want to know what this pandemic is, how quickly it's going to take over because clearly nobody lasts very long if the bartender is the one who lasted the longest and he only stayed alive for 3 weeks.