Flawed

Dystopian fiction is a branch of science fiction characterized by its depiction of a declining or post-cataclysmic society. Societal downfall is often the result of a social, ecological, or technological disaster, leading to mass poverty, oppression, and violence. As a counterpart to utopia, dystopia tends to portray communities that only appear ideal on the surface. The underlying tension in these narratives provides commentary on social, political, and/or environmental concerns in the real world. In short, dystopian fiction critiques contemporary issues by presenting an exaggerated vision of the future, sometimes acting as a call to action. Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World (1932), George Orwell’s 1984 (1949), Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale (1985), and Cormac McCarthy’s The Road (2006) are some of the most well-known examples of dystopian fiction.

Dystopian novels geared toward teenagers and young adults have also gained popularity in the late 20th century and early 21st century, with works like Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time (1962) and Lois Lowry’s The Giver (1993) paving the way. The genre’s rise in popularity is exemplified in contemporary literature by Suzanne Collins’s Hunger Games series (2008-2010), which made the genre a staple in American YA literature. Works like James Dashner’s The Maze Runner (2009) and Veronica Roth’s Divergent trilogy (2011-2013) also heralded a renewed interest in the dystopian genre. This may be a consequence of heightened social and environmental concerns in modern society that have led to feelings of dread and uncertainty in younger generations of readers.

As an example of YA dystopian fiction, Ahern’s Flawed depicts a society that centers around moral purity, but takes the enforcement of said morality to an extreme by violently punishing and oppressing dissidents. Ahern echoes her readers’ concerns about ethical and moral decision-making in a more and more complex world where actions can have global consequences. Her narrative explores the interaction between government authority and personal responsibility in defining ethical behavior, thus offering a nuanced view of morality.

Flawed relies on common modern YA dystopian tropes, like the depiction of a segregated society where individuals are oppressed into rigid social roles. The protagonist, Celestine North, defies social conformity by performing a selfless act, and her naivety is used to highlight the absurd, corrupted rules she lives under. Her character growth parallels her rising power until she eventually becomes able to dismantle the oppressive system.

The “F” brand received by individuals deemed morally flawed is strongly reminiscent of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter (1850), as well as the symbols used to discriminate against Jewish people and other groups by Nazis during World War II. Celestine’s helping a Flawed man to a seat on the bus echoes Rosa Parks’s act of defiance against segregation laws in 1955. In short, Ahern imagines a cataclysmic future inspired by historical symbolism and political oppression.