Once upon a time, old people in a dystopian society were seen as a burden. Their pensions had been cut off, and they were forced to work in harsh conditions just to survive. In a small town, there was an old woman named Martha. She was too frail to work like the others. One day, she found a group of other old people who were planning an escape. They wanted to find a place where they could live in peace, away from the cruel rules of this society. They set off on a dangerous journey, not knowing what awaited them.
One common theme is the devaluation of old age. In these stories, society often sees old people as useless or a burden, like in a world where resources are scarce and they are the first to be deprived. Another theme is the loss of memory and history. As old people are pushed aside, their stories and the wisdom of the past are forgotten. For example, in some stories, old people are the only ones who remember a better time before the dystopia, but no one listens to them.
How about a world where everyone has to wear a device that monitors their thoughts? The slightest hint of dissent and they are immediately sent to 're - education' camps. The main character manages to find a way to disable the device and begins to spread the knowledge of how to do it, creating a subversive movement.
One idea could be a world where people are ranked by their genetic purity. The government controls every aspect of life, and those with 'imperfect' genes are relegated to slums and used for menial labor. The protagonist, a person with a hidden genetic defect, discovers a resistance movement aiming to overthrow this discriminatory regime.
In a dystopian short story, you could have a society where water is extremely scarce. The rich hoard all the clean water, and the poor are left to fight over the little that remains. The main character is a young girl who tries to find a hidden water source that is rumored to exist, facing many dangers along the way. It could show the extreme inequality and desperation in such a world.
A dystopian story could be set in a world where dreams are commodified. People are forced to sell their good dreams to the rich, who use them for entertainment. The poor are left with only nightmares. The main character might be a dream merchant who starts to question this system when he realizes the toll it's taking on people's mental health.
Once upon a time in a world called Grayland. The land was ruled by a tyrant. All the trees were cut down, and the air was poisoned. People worked in factories from dawn till dusk. Jack, a factory worker, one day noticed a small flower growing between the cracks of the concrete. It was a sign of hope. He tried to protect it but was caught by the enforcers. They told him that any form of beauty or hope was against the rules. Jack was thrown into a prison where he continued to dream of a world with nature again.
One factor is the exploration of social and political issues. In the best dystopian short stories, like 'Fahrenheit 451' by Ray Bradbury, it examines the suppression of knowledge and the dumbing - down of society. Another is the creation of a believable and immersive world. Stories like 'The Hunger Games' (which started as a short story concept) build a world where the Capitol's oppression of the districts is vividly depicted. The characters also play a role. They need to be relatable and their struggles in the dystopian setting should be engaging, like in 'The Handmaid's Tale' (which also has short story elements).