Final answer:
The purpose of dystopian literature is to warn society about potential future disasters by extending current trends to their imaginable extremes, serving as a cautionary tale and reflecting universal concerns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of most dystopian literature is to warn people that the current trends in the society could lead to disastrous consequences in the future. This is also known as the literary term cautionary tale. Dystopian literature often gauges the pessimism or optimism of its time by projecting current societal concerns into the future, creating a vision of what could occur if these concerns are not addressed. It serves to illuminate universal themes such as freedom, individuality, and the essence of humanity, which are of vital concern to all cultures.
Works like George Orwell's 1984 and Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man demonstrate how dystopian narratives reflect socio-political realities and serve as a critique or warning. Themes in dystopian literature often mirror those found in science fiction, where technological and social changes prompt reflection on their impacts on society. Literature, whether through science fiction or historical novels, relates to larger questions of philosophy and humanity, encouraging readers to reflect on their own ideas about the world and ultimately themselves.