Zeitgeist and theme in Children of Men

What are the zeitgeists of 2006 that show the dystopia themes?

Remembering Children of Men

What is this future like? • What is the setting like?• What is society like?• What is the technology like?• Who has the power? How is it used • How are the populations controlled?

Setting

• Futuristic• Rundown City/Urban

Decay• Not unlike our own• Extreme

governmental control • De-humanisation

Character

• Anti-hero – man against system

• Questions the existing social and political systems.

• Helps to ‘save the world’

Zeitgeist in Children of Men In 2006 we feared/were concerned about…

• Immigration/fear of immigrants• Infertility• Terrorism• Pollution/Global Warming • Over population• Rabid commercialisation – advertising and

consumerism

How the zeitgeist works to show Dystopian themes

Common Dystopian Themes used in Children of Men

• Oppression)(by the state) and rebellion (by the people)

• Deteriorating morals and ethics (de-humanisation of many individuals)

• Ethical dilemmas about science/technology

How the themes are related to the 2006 zeitgeists

• Oppression happens because of immigration and the resulting overpopulation and the ongoing fear of immigrants

• Terrorism – related to fear of the ‘other’

• Infertility• Pollution/Global Warming• The effects of commercalisation

(advertising is everywhere and all controlling)

Looking for loved ones

Torture & dehumanisation.

Public Mourning

BSE / Foot & Mouth disease