Man’s quest for peace has never yielded any good in spite of his efforts to ameliorate human living. There are always weaknesses of some kind that interfere with one’s aspirations, and usually it is personal greed and selfishness that result in one’s downfall. In this sense, man has never been able to ameliorate his own living conditions due to the fact that he always limits himself. This not mean that he does not really want to better his life, but it really refers to the fact tat he has never quite known how to achieve and equilibrium through which all of mankind would benefit. The unique equilibrium that one could reach is ‘utopia’, which is apparently interesting in its capacity. However, there are texts of dystopia that are considered to be more interesting. These are ones that relate human weakness and strength in more interesting forms, and have been known to have a greater impact on readers. However, the distinctiveness and irony of utopia stands out as well. It is related to the imaginary places having no geographical location on any map. However many literary writers have given a utopian vision in their works to make their works more interesting and eye catching to the readers. This literary imagination gives an understanding where utopia might be. One might assert that utopia is an Imaginary location form in which everything is perfect in the sense that there is harmony. The perfection spoken of encompasses financial, political, humanitarian and ethical aspects. This means that the important areas for human living have been addressed in such a concept. Therefore, the utopian vision offers an idealistic world to the depressive reality against the bleak picture for an ideal life in an ideal society, which is impossible.

On the other hand, dystopian gives a pessimistic and gloomy vision about the world. Like utopian writers try to reform conceptualization and create an imaginative view for the future, dystopian writers are also reformers that are anxious and certainly pessimistic about the future. The dystopian writers therefore, present and imaginary world where alarming situations are presented in which there are no solutions for the future. Therefore, dystopian works address situations or living conditions that are undesirable and pathetic.

Utopia and dystopia have been areas of interest of many writers. These writers have adopted their own styles in expressing their imagination of either a utopian world or a dystopian one. To mention two writers that have focused on imaginary worlds, there are Jonathan Swift and Mary Shelley.
Jonathan Swift and Mary Shelley both have been brilliant in their presentations of themes of utopia and dystopia in their works, “Gulliver travels” (Jonathan Swift) and “Frankenstein” (Mary Shelley). However, the question that comes to mind is: what might be more interesting as reading text: utopia or dystopia? In order to answer this, a comparative analysis of both the works of these writers needs to be conducted.

While reading both works, a difference in the themes is noticed as both had worked on different stories with different styles; the inspirations of both were also different. In Swift’s work, one finds utopia presented under the allegorical satire on the political situation of that time . This satire is on mankind and his institutions as well as their values and beliefs. It was basically against the tyranny, hypocrisy, self-importance and the ridiculous nature of men.

On the other hand, in Shelley’s work, one finds dystopian fiction as a dominant vision. It also must be asserted that utopian expressions are quite obvious in her work, as a large part of this story revolves around utopian vision, like romanticism is not added as a literary term but blossomed with music and art. Romanticism is shown as a highly emotional feeling with strong imagination on an individual where nature is respected as a supernatural.

Looking again at Swift’s work in ‘Gulliver’s travels, the reader readily detects the author’s personal experiences; personal experiences of life while living in England as well as the political experience of the situation at that time (colonial rule) . Apart from the political satire, a large part of his work focuses on the role of women in the society. Women were treated with immense indecency and were depicted as abnormal characters that are different from the social fabric. He showed women engaged in unwanted and unfertile activities and broadly hints at women being a source of disharmony and distraction in society rather than contributing to some positive and constructive work. For instance, women were believed to be the ones with vulnerable minds and weaknesses that were bound to prevent a society’s progress .

In contrast to Swift’s portrayal of women, Shelley’s views are ones that expose a broader context; she examines the political images of monstrosity generated by the French Revolution. These are presented as the dystopian visions following a science fiction approach and changing from utopian to dystopian impressions.
In her story, she has created a superhuman by scientific method, starting with a utopian approach and ending at a dystopian one. This superhuman is extremely intelligent and possess amazing power for hearing, sight and locomotion. However, the utopian theme suddenly changes here to dystopia when the spark of life converts that imaginative and creative superhuman into a revolting and disgusting being, which is horrifying to people and made them escape from it. Here, the transition of utopia towards dystopia is clearly demonstrated. At this point, it must be asserted that the creation of a superhuman in Shelley’s work to begin with is interesting in its capacity. To follow and enhance this effect is the transition that demonstrates the superhuman changing from one approach to another; from good to evil. This super human demonstrated the hope for utopia, but it quickly was transformed into a nightmare of dystopia.

Whilst crossing the limits of science, Shelley has stimulated immense interest in her work about the dystopian vision rather than utopian. The twist of the themes from utopia to dystopia along with an introduction to dystopia makes the whole subject glossier and eye catching.

The whole idea of penetrating into the secret of life and creating a perfect creature that transformed into a monster that drove people away, is basically a wonderful blend of the two themes of utopia and dystopia . The monster though is a reflection of the evils of that time, but it was developed in a positive manner. The point of its ugliness that might be misunderstood is the symbolism. This horrifying, ugliness and unnaturalness of Shelley’s creation developed the feeling of animosity in the monster itself as he was receiving an unexpected and undesired response from people in general. The ugliness didn’t simply refer to the ills of society, as it actually reflected what was in the minds of people around. As Frankenstein was a creation of the Scientist, and no one loved it, as it was demanding love from all, the creation eventually turned to destroying its creator . This might be likened to the manner in which man usually ends up cursing what he creates. Though man may attempt at doing some good for humanity, he ends up conducting experiments that back fire.

Though one may have read ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ and ‘Frankenstein’ several times, one may not have looked at the deeper significance regarding utopia and dystopia. Some readers might take to texts that present utopia more than ones tat present. However, it may be asserted that texts that relate to dystopia, such as Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’, can be described as more interesting. This is because of the fact that there is great skill involved in presentations of this kind; such stories have the ability to capture a reader’s attention more than texts of utopia. Moreover, the various techniques used as an imaginary world of dystopia along with the addition of science fiction makes the text of dystopia more interesting .

At the same time, what makes dystopia a source of attention in the shape of literary text it gains as opposed to utopia; it is the various hidden elements that are discovered during reading such texts. Furthermore, Utopia seems to be a little old fashioned as compared to the other, as far as fiction is concerned. In contrast to this, one may assert that dystopia is much more fascinating to the readers as well as to writers. It might finally be asserted that dystopia gives a closer look at reality, as it is always a satire of the depressing events or political realities that went on or are going on at particular times .