First off, I rather
enjoyed the fact that these texts read like science fiction novels instead of
lists with rules and regulations. To me the
fictional set-up of the story the story showcases the idea that the world
described is never going to exist. Instead,
the stories demonstrate that there are changes to be made to the existing
system that could bring about a better society in the long run. The narrative incites more interest because,
of course, it is less laborious to read than a list of how to make a better
place. The story also gives us the seeds
of how things would be carried out in this imaginary world already constructed
for us. I think that with the world and
scenarios already created for us, we can more actively apply the ideas to our
own world. The story line gives a more
solid foundation from which to build our own ideas. The lists seem to broadly point out the way a
society should be set up, but does very little to actually apply it to how
modern people live.
I found it
interesting the different perspectives on technology and urbanization that
Morris and Bellamy displayed. Where one
has people living in a city like setting the other describes a world more basic
and somewhat primitive. It struck me as
an underlying conflict over whether man is better off in the city or the
country although I somewhat doubt this was the intention. I have actually wondered this myself so this
may be the reason this contrast stood out to me. Having been raised in a city I definitely enjoy
the amenities of being surrounded by everything I need or wanted whether it be
for entertainment or necessities. Not to
mention our technological advances have made many aspects of life extremely convenient. However, I also see how we do get too
engrossed in the technology we have created for ourselves to the point that the
technology in some ways runs our lives.
Although Bellamy
and Morris have different ideas on the layout of Utopia, I cannot help but feel
that the most important tenants of their societies were very similar. The division of work, the motivation to work,
and the eradication of a monetary system were all important in our discussions
of what a utopia looks like. The idea that
class causes more issues than it solves has come up before in our
readings. Both these texts seem to
attempt to destroy the ideas that people are of different classes based on the
money they earn or their particular occupation.
Jobs such as waiting tables are not viewed in poor regard. Everyone has access to the same resources so
nothing is unequal in that regard. And
finally even labor is made to be divided by what a person enjoys although the
two authors go about making jobs themselves easier. Jobs are a central idea to
the construction of our idea of what Utopia is and the way these two authors
present the labor force is quite a bit different from what the previous texts
have suggested.
