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Utopia & Utopian Literature

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Book Summary for Utopia

Sir Thomas More Biography

Life of Sir Thomas More
Other Works of Thomas More

About Utopia and Utopian Literature

Historical Background
The Utopian Theme
Utopian Literature Before More
Utopian Literature After More
Anti-Utopias
Established Utopian Communities
Publication Data for More's Utopia

Summary and Analysis for Book I: The Dialogue of Counsel

Setting the Stage
Opening of the Discussion
The Meeting at Cardinal Morton's House
Hypothetical Meeting of the French Council
The Council for Financial Affairs
More Versus Hythloday on Public Service

Summary and Analysis for Book II: The Discourse on Utopia

Geographical Features of Utopia
Country Life
The Cities
Officials
Occupations
Population Control
Markets
Community Life
Travel
The Economy
Learning
Philosophy
Slavery
Euthanasia
Marriage and Divorce
Laws
Treaties and Alliances
War
Religion
Peroration
More's Concluding Observation

Read the Original Text for Utopia

Introduction
Section 1: Discourses of Raphael Hythloday, of the Best State of a Commonwealth
Section 2: Of Their Towns, Particularly of Amaurot
Section 3: Of Their Magistrates
Section 4: Of Their Trades, and Manner of Life
Section 5: Of Their Traffic
Section 6: Of the Travelling of the Utopians
Section 7: Of Their Slaves, and of Their Marriages
Section 8: Of Their Military Discipline
Section 9: Of the Religions of the Utopians

Critical Essays

The Composition of Utopia

Study and Homework Help

Quiz
Essay Questions

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Study and Homework Help

Quiz

1:  What year was Utopia published?

a. 1516

b. 1616

c. 1716

d. 1816


2:  The basic theme in Utopian literature is that

a. people recognize the problems in their current society and imagine living in one that's free of the stresses related to competitive and commercialized civilization

b. technology and machinery are damaging to humankind and people would be happier returning to a simpler existence

c. as technology and machinery continue to make our lives easier, society will continue to become more orderly

d. people have strived to return to Eden since Adam and Eve were banished from there


3:  An example of a group of people who came to America to establish a Utopian society is

a. the masons

b. the Moonies

c. the Mennonites

d. the Libertarians


4:  The original edition of this book was published in what language?

a. Greek

b. Latin

c. Gaelic

d. English


5:  In Book I, More, Peter Giles, and Raphael Hythloday have a conversation that becomes identified as "the Dialogue of Counsel." What was the Dialogue of Counsel about?

a. Those born of wealth or high rank are obligated to be generous to those less fortunate.

b. Those with intelligence are obligated to document his thoughts (in poetry or prose) to pass on his thoughts and ideas.

c. Those with experience and integrity have an obligation to play an active role in the service of country and humankind.

d. The laws of society should be so brief and intuitive that everyone understands them; thus making the need for lawyers is obsolete.


6:  In Books I and II, Utopia is

a. a commune outside of the Low Countries

b. imaginary

c. the aspiration among intellectuals

d. a remote island


7:  Whose job is it to act as overseers of the people of Utopia to make sure that everyone works diligently at his trade?

a. Hyacinths

b. Syphogrants

c. Hippogryphs

d. Managers


8:  To keep the citizens of Utopia of equal status, their homes are all uniform, three stories in height. The only variation allowed on homes is

a. the facade, which can be brick, stone, or stucco

b. the color of the front door, which can be red, brown, or white

c. the choice between gables or shutters

d. the windows, which can be bay, bow, or flat


9:  In Utopia, slaves are either criminals who had been convicted of serious crimes; prisoners taken in battle; or foreigners who subjected themselves willingly to escape from their homeland to avoid poverty, drudgery, or . . .

a. taxation in their own country

b. to seek free medical treatment in Utopia

c. to grant their family members with educational opportunities in Utopia

d. a death penalty sentence in their own country


10:  How are Utopian priests selected?

a. By secret elections of the people, after which they are consecrated by the college of priests.

b. By passing a test of piety, which all children take at age 5.

c. By divine inspiration granted to other priests.

d. There is no selection process, those who want to become priests do so.


11:  How long is the workday in Utopia?

a. 5 hours

b. 8 hours

c. 6 hours

d. 10 hours


12:  What two topics are discussed in the greatest detail by the author?

a. Equality and housing

b. Religion and war

c. Slavery and law

d. The economy and philosophy


13:  Three examples of Utopian literature are

a. Samuel Butler's Erewhon, Aldous Hexley's Brave New World, and Geroge Orwell's 1984

b. Omar Khayyam's Rubaiyat; Plato's Republic; and Francis Bacon's New Atlantis

c. Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie, and Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, and William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying

d. Hubert Selby Jr.'s Last Exit to Brooklyn, Any Tan's The Joy Luck Club, and Shakespeare's A Mid-Summer Night's Dream


14:  Three examples of anti-Utopian literature are

a. Omar Khayyam's Rubaiyat; Plato's Republic; and Francis Bacon's New Atlantis

b. Hubert Selby Jr.'s Last Exit to Brooklyn, Any Tan's The Joy Luck Club, and Shakespeare's A Mid-Summer Night's Dream

c. Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie, and Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, and William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying

d. Samuel Butler's Erewhon, Aldous Hexley's Brave New World, and Geroge Orwell's 1984





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