Define the word "dystopia". Make a list of the common traits of a dystopia. How does this definition and list of traits apply to the...

Merriam Webster defines a dystopia as "an imaginary place
where people lead dehumanized and often fearful lives." Dystopias generally display
severe restrictions on what we would consider to be basic human rights, such as the
number of children a family can produce, what can be said regarding governmental
practices; generally individuality and dissent are stoppered. Usually propaganda is
utilized to convince the masses, and a healthy dose of fear is used to brainwash
citizens into believing that any other way would be
disastrous.

In the case of 1984, the traits that apply
are: the restriction of information, independent thought, and freedom; constant
surveillance; fear of punitive response to individuality or dissent; uniform
expectations; and of course, the protagonist feels trapped and questions the systems in
place. Thoughtcrime and Newspeak are specific examples from the text that indicate
totalitarian control over the characters.