According to encyclopedia Britannica, "an
ideal commonwealth whose inhabitants exist under
seemingly perfect conditions" these "perfect"
conditions comprise of financial, political, humanitarian
and ethical aspects. Therefore, utopia is
utopia is an ideal commonwealth whose inhabitants
exist under seemingly perfect conditions. It is
used to denote a visionary reform that tends to
be impossibly idealistic. Another definition of
Utopia is given by Oxford Dictionary, Imaginary
place or state of in things which every thing
seems to be perfect
Sir Thomas More is very much known for his work
on Utopia. It is a satire on life towards the
fictitious islands of Utopia. Here he showed that
the interest of an individual belonging to the
island is subordinate to those of the society
at large. According to him, all people must
do some work, universal education and religious
toleration are practiced, and all land is owned
in common. Basically these conditions are
in contrast to the English society of that time.
Therefore the literary imaginary of utopia also
was a symbol introducing a harmonized society
including environment as an integrated totality
with a balance of the three concepts of Harmony
with in the society as well as harmony with the
self, balance between the society and nature,
the integration of the individuals into the society
as well as the power of reason to order and understand
the world and at last the fundamental communal
nature of human beings.
Therefore, utopia of Thomas More, is an ideal
state where the evils all is ordered for the best
for humanity as a whole and where the evils of
society, such as poverty and misery, have been
eliminated. Nonetheless this description
of Utopia sets place for criticism against the
evils of any society and also be a inspirational
force to bring revolutionary reforms to the contemporary
society with out directing the means and purpose
of effectiveness to it. Thus it is more inspirational
then practical in approach.
More’s utopia lacks classes the working
style was presented on the basis of equality providing
same rights to all. However, an obligation for
all people to work for minimum six hours a day
is presented with the idea that every person has
different kind of skills and expertise and should
give the best of it. Either it is an agricultural
society or any other form, balance is maintained
in not only the working hours and rights but also
equality was assured in the clothing as well.
Apart from this the utopians presented by More
use to change their residence every ten years
and also eat together at the mess halls. Since
there is very little distinction in occupation,
dress, lodging, riches, or use of free time, pride
is almost non-existent in Utopia.
Moreover the government like caring for the sick, travel, marriage as well as other social and economic activities, very carefully supervises the various activities. Love is the key spread in the utopian society where good is done due to the natural environment and humanity is best exercised by all means. Though
they are faithful and persuaded to the truths of
their religion nonetheless they would abandon it
for one that could be proved better.
Utopians has a transparent distinction to the
other nations and societies as Utopia to other
nations, as in other nations, women generally
do not work, and neither do priests or rich men
and their families. When much of the population
is idle, those people that do work need to work
much harder in order to support those that don'ttherefore,
in Utopia less work is needed as every thing is
equally shared as well as maintenance and repairs
are always made in the interest of all.
Thomas More`s Utopia is an imaginary
world set against the evils of the contemporary
society where a balance is created in the economic,
social as well as religious aspect of life. But
the shortcoming here is the utopians have a life
that is self-limited. Analyzing the whole idea
of More`s Utopia, a question comes to our mind
that is the idea of self-limited wants desirable
or feasible? It confuses our understanding as
the world of Utopia is full of imagination and
fantasies and life is seem to be very much harmonized,
and a balance is maintained in all the aspects
of life among all the people of the society. But
practically it cannot be desirable to life a life
with self-limited wants because in utopia there
is not much awareness and realization of the difference
of inner qualities of every person and the many
other creative and positive aspects of real life
as well as the other economic benefits one can
make by its personal efforts and mental skills.
Therefore, living a life that is self limited
to is just a dream not practically desirable.
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