The Symbolism of Utopia and

Dystopia
Proof of Concept Presentation
29/01/2018
Rhia Crouch
Proposed Dissertation Enquiry
• In the three chapters I want to look at the history of symbolism,
utopia and dystopia. What are the common topics that these types of
films address and what are the meanings behind this. I also want to
look at the way that utopian and dystopian films seem to be a
metaphor for our own history and what might be our own future (be
it what we are aiming for or not).
Proposed Chapter 3 Case Studies
• For my dissertation I would like to research in to the way that utopias and
dystopias seem to be used as a symbol for our own world as a kind of self
reflection.
• I will set out to outline the use of symbols in films as well as define the
different between the worlds of utopias and dystopias and the way that
they are portrayed in films has changed over the years with the ever
changing fears and hopes of our own world, e.g. world peace, no more
discrimination, the aftermath of nuclear war or complete political control.
• I also want to look at how one character, group or setting can be seen as a
metaphor for the way that a society is controlled, repressed and the way
that people rebel against what they feel is wrong. Another part that I think
would be an interesting topic to look at is the way that utopias are always
portrayed as hiding a darker secret meaning that the prefect world will
always be imperfect and thus a dystopias.
Key Themes
• The way that symbols are used to convey messages that add another
dimension to the story.
• The deeper meanings behind some of the symbols and topics in films
that are set in utopias and dystopias.
• The way that different societies are portrayed in both utopia and
dystopia films.
• The way that utopias and dystopias are a exaggerated form of our
own world.
Books
• The Art of Watching Film by Joseph M. Boggs. This will mostly be
used to double check facts and to help me understand the topics that
I might have trouble with.
• Yesterday’s tomorrow: on Utopia and Dystopia by Pere Gallardo &
Elizabeth Russell.
Journal Articles and Websites
• Symbolist Manifesto (1886) by Jean Moréas. Was one of the first
people to used the word symbolism.
• Utopia and Dystopia in Science Fiction Film around 1968 by Kathrin
Fahlenbrach from the book The Global Sixties in Sound and Vision
(2014).* This might be able to help me look at the way that Utopias
and Dystopias in films where affected at this period of time.

• The Utopian Vision of the Future (Then and Now): A Marxist

Critique by Bertell Ollman found at Monthly Review.
* - Am only able to find the first two pages
of this article or am unable to find the book
its self in full.
Films that I feel might play a key part in my
discussion

• Blade Runner (1982)

• The Matrix (1999)
• Metropolis (1927)
• Logan’s Run (1976)
• 1984 (1984)
Bibliography
• Boggs, Joseph M. (2003) The Art of Watching Film. (Edition 6) Boston,
MA : McGraw Hill.
• Gallardo, Pere. (2014) Yesterday’s Tomorrow: on Utopia and Dystopia.
United Kingdom: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
• Moréas, Jean. (1886) Symbolist Manifesto. At:
http://www.mutablesound.com/home/?p=2165 (Accessed on
27.01.2018)
• Ollman, Bertell. (2005) The Utopian Vision of the Future (Then and
Now): A Marxist Critique. At:
https://monthlyreview.org/2005/07/01/the-utopian-vision-of-the-
future-then-and-now-a-marxist-critique/ (Accessed on 28.01.2018)