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Utopias, Dystopias and Science Fiction

Explore the concept of utopias and dystopias through Sir Thomas More's "Utopia" and its relevance in today's world. Discover the characteristics of utopian societies and the criticisms of existing societies, while delving into the role of men, women, and children in these idealized worlds.

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Utopias, Dystopias and Science Fiction

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  1. Utopias, Dystopias and Science Fiction Sir Thomas More

  2. “No Place” Model of the good society Unrealistic daydream “The Good Place” Ambiguity of terms Dream place Utopia Eutopia

  3. Utopias • Typically a visitor arrives • Geographical isolation • Temporal isolation • Wish to appear realistic and realizable • Problem today: the world has shrunk

  4. Utopian or Dystopian Satire • Ridicule • No solution • Sir Thomas More, 1478-1535

  5. Satire • Gulliver’s Travels • Erewhon • Jonathan Swift, 1667-1745

  6. Aspects of Utopias • Socialism • Democracy – dictatorship? • Religion • War – power • Technology • Work – leisure

  7. Works • Thomas More – Utopia, 1516 • Francis Bacon – New Atlantis, 1605 • Jonathan Swift – Gulliver’s Travels, 1726 • Mary Shelley – Frankenstein, 1818 • Samuel Butler – Erewhon, 1872 • William Morris – News from Nowhere, 1890 • H.G.Wells – The Time Machine, 1895 • The War of the Worlds, 1898

  8. Utopia, Thomas More What are the main criticisms of the existing British society? • Courtiers • The justice system and punishment in England • The noblemen and their exploitation • The Enclosure movement • The King and his ambitions • Avarice and Greed

  9. Questions Utopia, Thomas More • 1) Give a brief outline of the basic characteristics of Utopia • 2) What is the role of men, women, and children? • 3) Which of these characteristics appeal to you and which do not? Why / why not?

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