Some Things Never Change: Heteronormativity and "Tradition" in Dystopian Young Adult Literature

• In Event: Millennium Hotel Roundtable Session 17
  In Roundtable Session: Division B Roundtable Session

Abstract

The proposed paper examines how two popular young adult series - Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games and Veronica Roth’s Divergent - invite, expand, and limit imaginary futures. We critically examine these series using a queer utopic lens to identify social norms, and we work to unsettle YA dystopia beyond a critique of contemporary social order toward a forward-looking focus of what could be, a reasonable approach given the resolutions include messages of hopefulness. Analyzing characteristics of these hopeful conclusions makes visible dominant cultural systems, specifically those of “straight time”. By identifying these loci of hope, we name dominant constructs that may be deemed immutable or foundational for social organization, which can be applied to literary and literacy curriculum and instruction.

Authors

• Rachel Skrlac Lo, Villanova University

• Nora Peterman, University of Missouri - Kansas City