Utopian societies and literature

1. Utopian societies and literature

2. Utopia • According to Luke Mastin, a utopia is defined as an “ideal or perfect place or state, or any visionary system of political or social perfection.” • The word was created by Sir Thomas More in 1516. • The connotation of utopia today, however, is an “impractical or idealistic scheme for social and political reform.” (Mastin) • Mastin, Luke. “What is a Utopia?” Utopian Literature. 2 March 2009. <http://www.lukemastin.com/utopia/>

3. Real-Life Utopian Societies • New Harmony, Indiana in the 1840’s • Oneida Community, Oneida, New York 1848 • The Shakers built communities in eight states in the 1840’s • Amana Colony, Amana, Iowa in the 1850’s • Bishop Hill, Illinois in 1846

4. Utopian Literature • According to Luke Mastin, utopian literature describes “a nation or commonwealth ordered according to a system which the author proposes as a better way of life than any known to exist, a system that could be instituted if the present one could be cancelled and people could start over.” • Mastin, Luke. “What is a Utopia?” Utopian Literature. 2 March 2009. <http://www.lukemastin.com/utopia/>

5. Utopian Literature (con’t) • According to the Science Encyclopedia, utopian literature is most common in the English-speaking world (“Utopia”). • In a utopia, “everyone has adequate food, shelter, and clothing gained without debilitating labor and in which people lead secure lives without fear” (“Utopia”). • “Utopia—Expressions of Utopianism.” Science Encyclopedia. 3 March 2009 <http://science.jrank.org/pages/11551/Utopia-Expressions-U topianism.html">Utopia - Expressions Of Utopianism</a>

6. Dystopian Literature • In the late 19th and 20th centuries, literature that was anti-utopian and satirical was created in response to the harsh conditions of industrialization brought about by capitalism • Dystopian literature emphasizes the controlling nature of a utopia: • individuals are discouraged from interfering with the government’s goals • the government replaces family and religion Mastin, Luke. “What is a Utopia?” Utopian Literature. 2 March 2009. <http://www.lukemastin.com/utopia/>

7. Dystopian Literature (con’t) • According to Science Encyclopedia, dystopian literature is the more commonly published form of utopian literature since World War I. • WHY? • “Utopia—Expressions of Utopianism.” Science Encyclopedia. 3 March 2009 <http://science.jrank.org/pages/11551/Utopia-Expressions-U topianism.html">Utopia - Expressions Of Utopianism</a>

8. Warnings of Dystopian Literature • “The message of the dystopia is that if the human race continues in the direction it is now heading, this [storyline] is what will happen. The dystopia, [however], has a positive element in that it suggests the possibility of change. • “Utopia—Expressions of Utopianism.” Science Encyclopedia. 3 March 2009 <http://science.jrank.org/pages/11551/Utopia-Expressions-U topianism.html">Utopia - Expressions Of Utopianism</a>

9. Examples of Utopian and Dystopian Literature • Alphabetical list • Dystopian movies • 10th grade thematic list

10. Lois Lowry’s The Giver • Utopian • Dystopian