Funneling chaos: Interiority in the landscapes of dystopian fiction

Dystopian fiction immerses readers in chaotic worlds where survival often hinges on understanding unspoken rules. Readers navigate these landscapes through the lens of the protagonist’s interiority. This thesis explores how interiority serves as a crucial narrative tool in dystopian literature, enabling readers to connect with protagonists and interpret their worlds. Through an analysis of Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, Divergent by Veronica Roth, and The Stand by Stephen King, this study examines how interiority is achieved through point of view, layered emotions, and desire and misbelief. This study not only highlights the role of interiority in dystopian fiction but also provides a framework for applying these strategies to my own novel-in-progress, Hidden Bruises. The document concludes with the first chapters of Hidden Bruises, which follows Lucas, a senior cadet at St. Arthur’s Military Academy in war-torn America, as he navigates life with his abusive father.