Final answer:
The purpose of dystopian literature is all encompassing: it aims to highlight the consequences of not protecting humanity, explore societal dangers without protection, and illustrate the negative impact of neglecting human well-being, often using exaggerative scenarios to critique current societal trends and prompt critical thinking.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of dystopian literature is all of the above: highlighting the consequences of not protecting humanity, exploring potential dangers of a society without protection, and portraying the negative outcomes of neglecting the well-being of humanity. Dystopian literature serves as a cautionary tale, reflecting on the political, social, and ethical ramifications of societal choices and technological advancements. It often contains warnings about the directions that society could take if current trends are taken to extremes.
By exaggerating these trends, authors of dystopian works prompt readers to examine and question their own societies and values. Therefore, it connects deeply with themes that affect human existence and encourages readers to be critical of their reality. Books like George Orwell's 1984 or Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man depict societies where individuals are suppressed and their rights are jeopardized, providing readers with perspective on the importance of critical thinking and the dangers associated with totalitarianism.