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The Children of Men - Coggle Diagram
The Children of Men
PLOT
Global infertility crisis - Set in 2021, the world faces an existential crisis as no children have been born for 25 years, leading to the slow collapse of civilization.
Theo - is a disillusioned historian and former advisor to his powerful cousin Xan, the Warden of England.
Downfall of society - With no future generations, society is filled with despair and little hope for the future. The elderly participate in mass suicides, known as the "Quietus," (government sanctioned) and the government enforces brutal policies to maintain order.
The dictatorship - England is ruled by a tyrannical regime under Xan, who controls the country with a focus on maintaining stability, regardless of human rights abuses.
Five fishes - A resistance group called the Five Fishes forms to oppose the government. They protest forced euthanasia and other oppressive policies.
Pregnancy - Julian, a member of the Five Fishes, becomes pregnant, which offers some hope for humanity's survival.
Theo joins - Theo is drawn into the rebels' cause after Julian approaches him for help. He becomes determined to protect her and the baby.
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Xan - Theo faces a personal battle with Xan, who wants to control the child and maintain his grip on power.
Ambiguous ending - After a violent confrontation, Theo kills Xan and takes on his role as Warden - symbolised by wearing his ring. The ending is left open to interpretation.
CHARACTERS
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Gascoigne
Militant and violent member, desperate for change
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SETTINGS
Oxford, 2021
Place of education, academia, and learning with historical importance - ironic as history is no longer such a valued subject.
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Penal colonies
Prison island
Rwanda, Russia, Australia
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DYSTOPIAN GENRE
power dynamics, language usage, resistance, human response to adversity, and its reflection of our own society.
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narrative structure, perspective, and prose style and comparing them to other dystopian novels
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Third person narrative shifts the novel from Theo's limited perspective and drives forward the plot.
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