Dystopianism

Dystopianism is a major, dominant, and overarching theme in the novel “Wayward” by Blake Crouch. Dystopianism involves the totalitarian control of a group of people and place by an all-powerful, all-knowing group, organization, or government with the express purpose of denying human rights and human freedom in favor of service to a supposed greater good, and the preservation of the controlling body or individual. The intention of good is overshadowed, outweighed, or utterly demolished by the commission of bad deeds and actions, such as the denial of human rights, to achieve the ends.

In the novel, David Pilcher assumes the role of benevolent dictator from his perch in the mountain complex. At least 160 people work for him as crew and an inner circle. He dictates everything that goes on in town –from who people marry to what they do for work. He denies people access to...