The definition of dystopian literature.

A dystopia (alternatively, cacotopia, kakotopia or anti-utopia) is a fictional society that is the antithesis of utopia. It is usually characterized by an oppressive social control, such as an authoritarian or totalitarian government.

Some academic circles distinguish between anti-utopia and dystopia. A dystopia does not pretend to be good, while an anti-utopia appears to be utopian or was intended to be so, but a fatal flaw or other factor has destroyed or twisted the intended utopian world or concept, as is evidenced with Ingsoc in George Orwell’s 1984 and Huxley’s Brave New World.

The first known use of the term dystopia appeared in a parliamentary speech by John Stuart Mill in 1868. His knowledge of Greek suggests that he was referring to a bad place, rather than simply the opposite of Utopia. The Greek prefix dys (δυσ-) signifies “ill”, “bad” or “abnormal”; Greek topos (τόπος) meaning “place”; and Greek ou- (ου) meaning “not”. Thus, Utopia means “nowhere”, and is a pun on “Eutopia” meaning “happy place” − the prefix eu means “well”.