Totallitarian state - short? - Writers Forum

tellerKay · 11-20-2007, 12:56 PM

How in a short story (5-10 A4 typed pages) could you gradually, subtly show that a totallitairian state is the backdrop for the story?

Mike C · 11-20-2007, 04:17 PM

Read the first chapter of 1984.

ClancyBoy · 11-20-2007, 06:56 PM

Maybe you could read up on totalitarian states?

JohnN · 11-21-2007, 08:33 AM

Ahh, 1984, my fav book. That chapter will help

try describing the architecture, atmosphere and life as hopeless. Have characters looking over their shoulders. Maybe a character will witness someone being shoved into the back of van and view it as normal.

That kind of thing

Talia_Brie · 11-23-2007, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Maybe a character will witness someone being shoved into the back of van and view it as normal.

This is really good, especially the last bit. It's a matter of presenting the political oppression, and having the citizens view it as normal.