After Hythloday’s ruthless dissection of the European social, economic, and political system, he finally explains the alternate system which he would propose. It would obviously cause a great upheaval because it is based, first of all, on the elimination of private property and of money. On that foundation many ramifications are to be developed and many advantages will accrue which contribute to a life of reason, justice, and happiness. It is difficult for More and Giles to imagine how people could live under such a system, but Hythloday has made such a strong impression that they are eager to hear his full account of the Utopian commonwealth.
“The Dialogue of Counsel,” the Book I of Utopia, between Raphael Hythloday, Thomas More, and Peter Giles is of interest for a number of reasons. For the modern reader it gives an authentic picture of conditions in England at the beginning of the 16th century. It also serves as an effective preparation, by way of contrast, for the following account of the “ideal” state of Utopia. Finally, the dialogue has extremely interesting autobiographical overtones, since it is now known that More wrote this section of the book during a period when he was confronted with the problem of whether or not to accept an appointment in the government of Henry VIII and Wolsey. Torn between his reluctance to compromise his personal ideals and his sense of duty to serve his country, he incorporated into this debate his own personal struggle. Thus More in the dialogue is speaking for himself, but Hythloday is also voicing More’s thoughts.
