Utopia Project

Part One: My Dystopia

    My dystopia started after World War III. A new president was elected just before the war begun. Nobody knew or could predict just how corrupt he would become. The third world war started with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the Israel-Hamas war. Both of these wars required support from foreign governments, specifically the United States. The war was very tragic for the United States, thousands of people died and we lost a lot of money sending us into a Great Depression. During the Great Depression even more people died. Food and materials were scarce and people had to do awful things just to survive. The government was no longer supportive of the states as many rebelled and spoke out against the war. Similar to that in station eleven the inhabitants of the United States have no idea what is going on in other countries. Technology is still around however, it is monitored and controlled entirely by the government. In my dystopia anyone who speaks out against the government is killed. The people live in fear and have no voice in government, contrary to the America we know.

(Visual of potential WWIII propaganda) (Picture from Google) 

Part Two: From Dystopia to Utopia 

    My group will survive in a secret community hidden within the mountains and forestry of North Carolina. They live entirely off the grid and will have no access to technology. After the war they had to learn to fight for themselves, distraught with the violence and fear of the new world, a small group escaped. They grew through the tragedy and learned important survival and life skills. Most of the group were children or young adults during the war and were forced to leave their homes. The group grew along the way and went in search of an abandoned hotel in the Blue Ridge Mountians. Many lost their family members on the long walk down to the mountains. The group now provides for one another and lives in peace free from governments control. They fish and hunt for their own food, make their own clothes and spend their free time swimming in the lake or playing games. The hotel provides plenty of room for everyone and is well concealed within the forest. The roads surrounding it had been blocked off by the government to prevent people from trying to escape. The people live a life of solitude and peace in hopes of creating a better future for new generations. 

(Map of North Carolina and its mountains) (Picture from Google) 

Part Three: Journal Entries

One: I was walking thorough the forest like normal looking for roots, berries, or other things we could eat when I saw it. I had been walking for hours, my feet were tired and my legs felt like jello. I didn't mean to venture so far out, but my curiosity go the best of me. Like everyone else I had hear the hotties about the outside world. A world filled with hunger, corruption and violence, that was all that as said. Any further questions were shut down. My parents had always told me the woods are the only place we are safe. But I had to see for myself, so when I had a day to myself alone I figured why not go see what's out there. I had to look twice at the massive fence at the edge of the woods. I carefully walked forward trying to get a better look. I accidentally snapped a branch. I hear voices yelling and then before I knew it I was being shot at by guards. I quickly scaled up a tree trying to avoid being caught. "It must have just been an animal" said a guard. "Yeah no one is dumb enough to try and escape" said the other. That is when I realized that I was never going to venture out of the safety of the woods again. Once the coast was clear I started the long walk home, "whispering the same two words over and over: “Keep walking. Keep walking. Keep walking.” (Mandel 194). 

Two: After my venture to the border a few days ago I decided to stop asking questions my life is perfect. I have all the friends and family I could ask for. I get to read books and swim in the lake and pass time as I wish. I am not sure what is going on outside the fence but I don't want anything to with it. Tonight we ar celebrating Carmen's birthday. She is the oldest one of us and if I'm being honest a little cooky. She was of the original members of the group that decided to venture into the woods before we became locked out of society forever. I am not sure if they came her by accident or by choice, but all I know is they made out well compared to the rest of America. She is always telling her grandkids what a blessing it is that they don't remember the world before now. As close as we all are us young ones have no idea about what our parents and grandparents went through to get us here. At the dinner Carmen gave a speech she said something that made me realize I am right in not continuing to feed my curiosity. She said '"I have walked all my life through this tarnished world"' (Mandel 304) "and I would do it all over again if it meant I got to end up her with all of you". Her speech made me realize I need to appreciate what I have and stop making questions I know I won't like the answers to. 

Final Reading Blog

 Part One: 

"Everything happens for a reason," she said. She didn't look at him. "Its not for us to know." (Mandel 261) 

I chose the quote above because I think it represents how difficult coming to terms with the transition into the new world was. There is so much unknown all throughout the book, we don't know how the governments collapsed, we don't get an accurate depictions of what life was truly like right after the collapse. I think that this quote is supposed to be for the reader, to represent that sometimes we must let go of the unknown and move forward otherwise it will torment us. 

"It is possible to survive this but not unaltered, and you will carry these men with you through all the nights of your life." (Mandel 296)

I chose this quote because it shows that in every life there will always be struggles and hardships that we will carry with us no matter what. Kirsten is still able to find peace and create a life of meaning despite all of the traumata things she experienced. This quote shows the reader that trauma and negative experiences will never go away and we must learn to cope with negative change and adjust to the new world. 

Part Two: 

1. I think that both Jeevan and Clark have come to terms with eh new world. Both character seem very hopeful and optimistic for a better future, showing that your mentality can help to grow or destroy your life. 
2. The museum of civilization represents memories of a previous time. The members of the museum are hoping to preserve the memory of ordinary items that were taken for granted. If I were to build my own museum I would want to incorporate a lot of pictures. I personally live to take picture and document my life so I think that saving any scrapbooks and picture we could would be important. 
3. I personally do not think that their decision is wise because the new world seems very cut throat and people will do awful things just to survive. I wold endanger myself for my family, that would probably be it. I think that there is only so much you can do and often times it is better to move forward and focus on yourself rather than trying to protect those around you. 
4. Kirsten and the others are spared as the little boy shoots the prophet and then himself. The characters find hope through friendships. Seeing Charlie and Jeremy signifies to the symphony that they will live on and that there are better things out there for them. The town lit p by electricity shows Kirsten that society will live on and continue to prosper.