Utopia is a masterpiece of world literature written by Sir Thomas More. In the novel, Utopia is a name of an island where everything is perfect from the society to the economy. This “island” can be seen in another well-known novel called The Time Machine by H.G. Wells. There are a lot of similarities between Utopia and The Time Machine, however, the fate of the Utopian and the future mankind is contradictory. For many centuries, human has been seeking a perfect world where people can live happily, and equally; especially, get rid of the caste system. In that system, nobody has the same standard of living; there are upper class, middle class, and working class. As Karl Marx said, “The history of all hitherto existing society is the history
…show more content…
However, it isn’t completely “classless” because slavery and social hierarchy still exist. In Utopia, everybody is equal, including the Prince; “The Prince himself has no distinction, either of garments or of a crown” (47; book II). They don’t have any problems or concerns in their life; all people work and live well. Utopian only work for six hours a day, sleep for eight hours, and this gives them a great deal of free time. Although slaves, “are kept at perpetual labor, and are always chained” (45; book II), they are treated, in some respect, as human. Nevertheless, Utopia isn’t that “perfect”. Besides those great things in their society, they must comply with a lot of extremely harsh rules which restrain their freedom. “If any man goes out of the city … and is found rambling without a passport … he is punished as a fugitive, and sent home disgracefully; and, if he falls again into the like fault, is condemned to slavery. If any man has a mind to travel …, he may freely do it, with his father’s permission and his wife’s consent.” (37; book II). Travelling is one of the most basic needs of human, but the government limits it. In addition, they must work for six hours per day for the rest of their life; and, although they have a lot free time, they must participate in, “some proper exercise”. As can be seen, citizens of Utopia must always at work, idleness is not allowed on the island. After all, Utopia is not that
However, it isn’t completely “classless” because slavery and social hierarchy still exist. In Utopia, everybody is equal, including the Prince; “The Prince himself has no distinction, either of garments or of a crown” (47; book II). They don’t have any problems or concerns in their life; all people work and live well. Utopian only work for six hours a day, sleep for eight hours, and this gives them a great deal of free time. Although slaves, “are kept at perpetual labor, and are always chained” (45; book II), they are treated, in some respect, as human. Nevertheless, Utopia isn’t that “perfect”. Besides those great things in their society, they must comply with a lot of extremely harsh rules which restrain their freedom. “If any man goes out of the city … and is found rambling without a passport … he is punished as a fugitive, and sent home disgracefully; and, if he falls again into the like fault, is condemned to slavery. If any man has a mind to travel …, he may freely do it, with his father’s permission and his wife’s consent.” (37; book II). Travelling is one of the most basic needs of human, but the government limits it. In addition, they must work for six hours per day for the rest of their life; and, although they have a lot free time, they must participate in, “some proper exercise”. As can be seen, citizens of Utopia must always at work, idleness is not allowed on the island. After all, Utopia is not that