Utopia and Dystopian Literature English 102

Question to Think About: What things do you think a society would need to accomplish in order to be considered “perfect”? Choose one of these things. Could a society actually enforce this? What might have to happen in order to enforce it?

Utopia: A Perfect Society A utopia is an ideal or perfect society. The term “utopia” comes from the title of a book written by Thomas More in 1516. The word comes from the Greek: οὐ ("not") and τόπος ("place") and means "no place". The English homophone eutopia, derived from the Greek εὖ ("good" or "well") and τόπος ("place"), means "good place". This, due to the identical pronunciation of "utopia" and "eutopia", gives rise to a double meaning. Utopian novels are stories about a Utopia, a perfect society.

Context for Utopia Utopia was written in 1516 by Sir Thomas More during the reign of Henry VIII of England. Utopia is social commentary, meant to contrast Tudor England under Henry VIII with the society of the Utopians. Social commentary was much more dangerous in Tudor England than it is today. This is one reason why More “frames” the narrative as a story he heard from a sailor he met who had supposedly visited Utopia.

Utopia as Social Commentary It is generally agreed that More did not mean to describe a “perfect” society in Utopia, but to use the “strange” traditions of the Utopians to spark discussion and criticism of real contemporary problems. More may not have meant to depict an ideal society; however, over the years the word “utopia” without the capital letter has come to mean “a perfect society” with an added connotation suggesting that such a society is unrealistic. A portrait of Thomas More by Hans Holbein

Utopian Literature as a Genre Influenced by Thomas More’s book Utopia, literature that depicts and idealized or perfect society has been called “utopian literature”. Utopian novels are stories that take place in a Utopia, a “perfect” society. Random Examples of other Utopian Novels: The Blazing World by Maragaret Cavendish (1666) Also the first science fiction novel! Island by Aldous Huxley Another novel by Huxley, but this one explores a society which, while sharing some similarities, is much more positively portrayed than the one in Brave New World. Ecotopia by Ernest Callenbach One of the first books written about an ecological utopia, written as part of the emerging environmentalist movement.

From Utopia to Dystopia Dystopia: “An imaginary place where people lead dehumanized and often fearful lives.” From The Meriam Webster Encyclopedia of Literature In contrast to “utopia,” which can be translated “good place,” “dystopia” is translated “bad place.” Dystopian works of fiction often depict societies that claim to be advanced, civilized, and near-perfect, but are instead deeply flawed. Many protagonists in dystopian literature are individuals who begin to question the problematic rules and assumptions that pervade their societies.

Suggestions for Approaching a Dystopian Novel as a Reader Know that focus on setting and world-building is often as important if not more important than character. Most dystopian novels are exercises in asking “what if,” and authors use contemporary fears and concerns to build the societies in which their stories take place. Notice how individuals relate to their societies, and how the authors use current issues (such as the relationship between religion and government, or advancements in genetics and biology). Critic Thomas Moylan suggests that an experience reader of dystopian literature (or science fiction in general) “moves through the text like a traveler in a foreign culture or a detective seeking clues to unravel the mystery at hand.”

Context for Brave New World Written by Aldous Huxley, published in 1932. The title is taken from Shakespeare’s play The Tempest. The full quote is: “O wonder! How many goodly creatures are there here! How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world! That has such people in it!” While 1984, another very influential dystopian novel, critiques Communist totalitarianism, Huxley is critiquing both Communism (many characters are named after Communist leaders) and Capitalism (especially its tendency for consumerism) in this novel.

From the Letters of Aldous Huxley "I am writing a novel about the future — on the horror of the Wellsian Utopia and a revolt against it. Very difficult. I have hardly enough imagination to deal with such a subject. But it is none the less interesting work" (letter to Mrs. Kethevan Roberts, May 18, 1931)

Henry Ford and the Model T Henry Ford and his Model T, one of the first mass-produced cars, are both quite important to Brave New World. The calendar in the novel has Ford’s birth as its focal point, and the production of the Model T is a religiously significant event.

Fordlandia The curious case of Henry Ford’s model “American” town in the middle of the Brazilian Jungle: Ford's effort to transplant America-- what he called "the healthy lifestyle"-- was not limited to American buildings, but also included mandatory "American" lifestyle and values. The plantation's cafeterias were self-serve, which was not the local custom, and they provided only American fare such as hamburgers. Workers had to live in American-style houses, and they were each assigned a number which they had to wear on a badge-- the cost of which was deducted from their first paycheck. Brazilian laborers were also required to attend squeaky-clean American festivities on weekends, such as poetry readings, square-dancing, and English-language sing-alongs.

The Science of Brave New World Though the science in the novel seems to be quite sinister, Huxley came from a family of scientists and believed very much in the potential of modern medicine and science. He himself wished to be a doctor until a debilitating illness left him blind for two years and while he partially regained his sight his dreams of being a doctor or scientist were effectively ended. So, if the science in the novel seems to be frightening, ask yourself: is this a critique of scientific progress in general, or is it a critique of the uses to which science is being put?

Look at The Major Characters: Outcasts in a Brave New World: Bernard – outcast because he is small for an Alpha John – outcast because he is not from the “civilized” world. He was born on the Reservation. Not really outcasts, but certainly different… Hermholtz – unique because he is “too smart” Lenina – unusual in her society because she is enjoys going out with one man at a time What do these outcasts/unique individuals and others’ responses to them tell us about how “civilized” and “savage” societies work?

Homework Thursday, April 16 Topics: What is Literary Theory?  Assign and Discuss the Literary Criticism Research Paper. Homework: Catch up Day. Catch Up on Anything and Everything You Need to Catch Up on. Assignments put off to NEXT Tuesday: Literary Theory: Discuss Formalism Homework Due:  ·         Read Kate Chopin’s “The Storm” p. 175-179 ·         Read “Formalism and New Criticism” p. 1214-1215