Question
Note: Your teacher will grade your response to question 19 to ensure that you receive proper credit for your answer.
Choose two of the “other worlds” described in the unit. Compare and contrast the ways these other worlds impacted the real world for the characters.
Answer:
One of the “other worlds” described in the unit is the world of virtual reality in the novel Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. In this world, people spend most of their time hooked up to a virtual reality system called the OASIS, escaping from the real world and its problems. The OASIS offers infinite possibilities and allows people to create their own avatars and embark on adventures that are not possible in the real world. This other world impacts the characters by providing them with an escape from their harsh realities. It allows them to be whoever they want to be and experience things they never could in their own lives, providing a sense of freedom and empowerment.
On the other hand, another “other world” described in the unit is the world of Panem in the novel The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Panem is a dystopian society where citizens are divided into districts and forced to participate in a brutal televised event known as the Hunger Games. This other world impacts the characters in a much different way than the world of virtual reality. It is a world of oppression, fear, and deprivation. The characters are constantly reminded of the cruel reality they live in, and their lives are dictated by the rules and whims of the Capitol. This other world pushes the characters to fight for their survival and challenges their moral compasses.
While both other worlds provide an escape from the real world, they have drastically different impacts on the characters. The world of virtual reality offers them a sense of freedom, control, and adventure, allowing them to create their own realities and live out their fantasies. On the other hand, the world of Panem brings about a sense of fear, powerlessness, and constant struggle for survival. The characters in both worlds are shaped by their experiences in these other worlds, but in very contrasting ways.