Sunshine books and pamphlets are the bane of the powers that be. They fill the lower classes with the desire to feel the sun and grass beneath their feet.
Akin to the modern IRL romance, they paint a rosy picture of what the world used to be. They describe idyllic parks and pastures filled with happy, healthy, FREE people. No wars, strife and constant struggle against the sea. These writings are almost universally banned and burned by the authorities, feeling that they only lead to discontent and unions. They paint the surface as a garden of Eden that is unattainable and thus an unnecessary distraction from toils of the working class. Authors are hunted down and publicly executed.
The Faython Parchment
The Poet Faython was one of the most prolific writers of sunshine pamphlets, his words evoking a beautiful imagery of a faerylike reality. At his peak the workers used to gather in secluded spaces and host open readings of his works; the highlight of the week when he released another pamphlet - tied to the fence of a member of the ruling class.
One day his pamphlets ceased to come, and his followers learnt of his imprisonment. While in prison he confided in Sor, his jailor, one last poem. He begged Sor to write it down after the beheading.
Faython was publicly hanged, then beheaded, and Sor snuck in after the ceremony and stole some of the poet's blood.
With the blood he wrote the Faython Parchment - Faython's last sunshine pamphlet, where the author describes his longing for a better place whilst comparing it against the bleak reality of his imprisonment and impending doom.
Upon the release of the Faython Parchment, there was an uprising of significant magnitude.
Still today the words of the Faython Parchment invoke the strongest of emotions; of sadness and yearning for a better place. It is a valuable parchment and a powerful tool of those conspiring against the state. It is also an artifact sought by the authorities - one that will bring a nice reward, or a painful death to its owners.
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? Responses (7)
This has a strong 1984 feel for me.
What Valadaar says. Of course, I have to add that 1984 is already here, in the real world. Between mass surveillance, the militarization of the police and media fear mongering we already live in cages - albeit more gilded cages than in the Refuge beneath the Waves.
Ahem
About the sub: A good base which it is easy to build upon. And build upon it I shall!
3.0
This one went dark quick, anti-union thought police, public murder, censorship.
You convey a lot in a 100 words. Not the direction I would have gone with the setting or at least I think you could have done this with a more nuanced write up or had the discipline to develop this idea more. This could be the plot to a whole a novel. But you give put it out here in a 100 words and you have certainly put the setting in corner. Nice use of language.
Remember
1 We can use this on only a limited number of areas, it doesn't need to be everywhere
2 While I feel it fits perfectly,We don't have to use it at all
An interesting form of agitprop, but very fitting for the setting.
Interesting. 5/5