A Study Of Dystopia In Philip K.Dick’s The Man In The High Castle

Philip K.Dick(1928-1982),a brilliant American science fiction writer in the 20th century,is acknowledged as "one of the most unique and visionary talents in the history of American literature".Contrary to the overwhelming optimistic attitude towards the magic power of science and technology,Dick has a deep distrust of modern society with a strong sense of pessimism.Cloaking his plots and characters in the genre of science fiction,what Dick really wants to discuss is the truth of world,the abuse of power and the psychology of human beings.As an alternate history novel,The Man in the High Castle describes an evil dystopian world with threat of totalitarianism,horror of racism and abuse of science and technology.Placed in such an extremely dangerous world,these characters live in fear and anxiety with a sense of hopelessness.Through the description of spiritual redemption achieved by ordinary people,Dick expresses his belief in the power of humanity.Analyzing from the dystopian perspective,this thesis is divided into three parts.To start with,according to Fatima Vieira,dystopia has two manifestations including the prevalence of totalitarianism and the abuse of science and technology which serves as means to gain power.Totalitarianism in this novel implements two means to control physical and mental existence of human.The fanatical rulers use violence as an external means to achieve political domination.While from within they control the mind of human through racist propaganda.Besides,science and technology descends to an accomplice of the rulers to initiate wars and fight for power.Then it discusses the influences of dystopia on the characters.The totalitarian spirit,with techniques and machines,creates evil that destroys the physical world and authentically human spirit.As victims of the indifferent universe and absurd life,human beings are weak,small and vulnerable.For life,the only thing that they can do is to go along with the exterior motions.In the novel,these characters are influenced in four aspects,including the loss of cultural identity,the negation of self,the dilemma of morality and the ambiguity of reality.Finally,it puts forward the journeys to redemption.Even frustrated by the dystopian world and helpless in front of destiny,Dick’s characters still depend on the ability of "inner truth" to get redemption from the dehumanizing pressures of a dystopian world.In spite of unknown future,a glimpse of hope lights amid the overwhelming gloom.All Dick’s near futures and alternative worlds are parabolic mirrors for our time.By exaggerating the dark side of world,Dick attacks the reality,not only criticizing totalitarianism and racism but also expressing his profound humanistic care.