>[!abstract] >A classical dystopia is a literary depiction of a society that appears orderly or functional on the surface but is fundamentally oppressive, dehumanizing, or destructive. Emerging as a counterpoint to utopian visions, classical dystopias such as George Orwell’s _1984_ or Aldous Huxley’s _Brave New World_ dramatize the dangers of authoritarianism, technological domination, and the suppression of individuality. They often exaggerate existing social or political trends to warn against their unchecked development. Defined by their completeness and rigidity, classical dystopias present closed systems where escape or reform seems nearly impossible, highlighting the fragility of freedom and autonomy under totalizing control. >[!related] >- **North** (upstream): [[Utopian studies]] >- **West** (similar): [[Critical dystopia]] >- **East** (different): [[Classical utopia]] >- **South** (downstream): —