Synthesis

Following is a brief synthesis of my observations on young adult dystopian literature.  At this point I have read a fairly large amount of these books and think I can offer some insight on the things these books have in common and offer some final advice about how these books could/should be used in schools.

I already typed up a list of elements that these novels have in common, but I think it warrants reposting it here.  Every one of the young adult books that I read contained each of these to some extent, and the two adult novels contain all but number 5.

1. Dystopian society with members who follow blindly/unknowingly.
2. A leader/head figure/group of people who know(s) the dark secrets of the society.
3. A hero/heroine who discovers these secrets and seeks to alter and expose the travesties.
4. An emphasis on choice or the lack thereof.
5. An ending that gives the feeling of hope for change and renewal of choice.

I don't think this list needs any revising after reading more novels; it still seems pretty complete to me.  Each novel contains a dystopian society, oppressive and totalitarian.  The post-apocalyptic novels still fall into this category, as the governing bodies that are present are corrupt and total.  Each novel also contains a her, who I might also call an outsider.  This is someone who realizes the travesties committed by the new government, often through gaining knowledge about the way things used to be.  This illuminated character is the most identifiable for the reader, and seeks to dismantle, or rebel against the totalitarian government.  In young adult novels, there is always a glimmer of hope at the end of the novel or an overthrow of the corrupt government.  In the two adult novels mentioned, this is not the case.  Finally, is the focus on choice.  Each of the novels focuses on choice: how it has been taken away and how the characters plan to get it back.  This should be particularly attractive to young adults who are coming to an age where they have more responsibility and more autonomy, therefore more opportunity to make choices.  Also, young adults tend to be skeptical of authority, and these novels all teach that this is okay, and in fact they recommend it.  

Each of the novels in this blog should be enjoyed by young adult readers, though some undoubtedly more than others.  Each post contains a brief recommendation from me for use in the classroom.  I'm not expert, and the opinions are solely my own, but I think that all of these books would be valuable to have in a class library and some of them would be great gateway books to more canonical texts. 

The dystopia is probably my favorite genre, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading these books and writing about them.  I hope you enjoy reading them/about them!