Different Readings of Sir Thomas More's Utopia - from an Ideal state to the First Dystopia

from an Ideal state to the First Dystopia

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, British
Cover of the book Different Readings of Sir Thomas More's Utopia - from an Ideal state to the First Dystopia by Jelena Vukadinovic, GRIN Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Jelena Vukadinovic ISBN: 9783640314829
Publisher: GRIN Publishing Publication: April 23, 2009
Imprint: GRIN Publishing Language: English
Author: Jelena Vukadinovic
ISBN: 9783640314829
Publisher: GRIN Publishing
Publication: April 23, 2009
Imprint: GRIN Publishing
Language: English

Seminar paper from the year 2009 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 2,0, RWTH Aachen University (Institut für Anglistik), course: Utopian Novels, language: English, abstract: The aim of this paper is to point out some of the main trends in current criticism of More's Utopia, by presenting and discussing some of the most important theses from the most representative critical writings from each of the aforementioned arches of interpretation. Special attention will be given to the question in how far it is justifiable to read Utopia as a negative concept, albeit even partly, or even as the first dystopia. In order to analyse this, a number of aspects has to be considered first. One has to differentiate between the questions of More's intentions and modern readers' point of view on the Utopian commonwealth. Even if More meant his island to be ideal and a blueprint for a new and better society, which is itself already very disputable, it does not necessarily mean that it can still be seen as such. Most modern reader cannot be expected to see Utopia as society which is anywhere near perfect or desirable. Values, of societies as well as individuals, have shifted in their meaning and focus between the era of Tudor England and today. It is also rather questionable in how far the utopian society would have appeared as ideal to More's contemporaries, especially in regard to its communism and its religious practices.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Seminar paper from the year 2009 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 2,0, RWTH Aachen University (Institut für Anglistik), course: Utopian Novels, language: English, abstract: The aim of this paper is to point out some of the main trends in current criticism of More's Utopia, by presenting and discussing some of the most important theses from the most representative critical writings from each of the aforementioned arches of interpretation. Special attention will be given to the question in how far it is justifiable to read Utopia as a negative concept, albeit even partly, or even as the first dystopia. In order to analyse this, a number of aspects has to be considered first. One has to differentiate between the questions of More's intentions and modern readers' point of view on the Utopian commonwealth. Even if More meant his island to be ideal and a blueprint for a new and better society, which is itself already very disputable, it does not necessarily mean that it can still be seen as such. Most modern reader cannot be expected to see Utopia as society which is anywhere near perfect or desirable. Values, of societies as well as individuals, have shifted in their meaning and focus between the era of Tudor England and today. It is also rather questionable in how far the utopian society would have appeared as ideal to More's contemporaries, especially in regard to its communism and its religious practices.

More books from GRIN Publishing

Cover of the book John the Savage and the Bard of Stratford. Shakespeare's Influence on John the Savage in Huxley's 'Brave New World' by Jelena Vukadinovic
Cover of the book How India Attracts Foreign Investors by Jelena Vukadinovic
Cover of the book The Relationship between Language and Nation in the Development of Austrian German by Jelena Vukadinovic
Cover of the book Schwerpunktbezogene Diskussion über das 'Health Belief Modell' im Bezug auf sporttherapeutische Konsequenzen by Jelena Vukadinovic
Cover of the book Ethical problems concerning organ transplantation in '21 Grams' by Jelena Vukadinovic
Cover of the book Detected fallacies in President George W. Bush`s speech by Jelena Vukadinovic
Cover of the book G.K. Chesterton's 'The Wisdom of Father Brown' by Jelena Vukadinovic
Cover of the book Ironie -Theorie und Praxis by Jelena Vukadinovic
Cover of the book Managing Diversity by Jelena Vukadinovic
Cover of the book Consider how international institutions can help in the protection of human rights by Jelena Vukadinovic
Cover of the book Professional Re-Stratification of the Jews in the Works of Oxaal/Weitzmann and Blohm/Cahen by Jelena Vukadinovic
Cover of the book Constitutions in Transition - Tendencies in European Constitutional Law after the Fall of Communism by Jelena Vukadinovic
Cover of the book A case study of EasyJet and the airline industry by Jelena Vukadinovic
Cover of the book Netcare Management Analysis by Jelena Vukadinovic
Cover of the book Geoffrey Chaucer as a sociolinguistic observer by Jelena Vukadinovic
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy