1. Zeitgeist and theme in Children
of Men
What are the zeitgeists of 2006 that
show the dystopia themes?
2. 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?
3. Setting Character
• Futuristic • Anti-hero – man
• Rundown City/Urban against system
Decay
• Questions the
• Not unlike our own
existing social and
• Extreme
governmental political systems.
control • Helps to ‘save the
• De-humanisation world’
4. 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
5. How the zeitgeist works to show
Dystopian themes
Common Dystopian Themes used in How the themes are related to
Children of Men the 2006 zeitgeists
• Oppression)(by the state) • Oppression happens because
of immigration and the
and rebellion (by the resulting overpopulation and
people) the ongoing fear of immigrants
• Deteriorating morals and • Terrorism – related to fear of
the ‘other’
ethics (de-humanisation of • Infertility
many individuals) • Pollution/Global Warming
• Ethical dilemmas about • The effects of
science/technology commercalisation (advertising
is everywhere and all
controlling)
