CliffsNotes on

Utopia & Utopian Literature

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About the Author

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
General Synopsis for Utopia

Summaries and Commentaries 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

Summaries and Commentaries 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

Critical Essay

The Composition of Utopia

Study Help

Quiz
Review Questions and Essay Topics

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Summaries and Commentaries for Book II: The Discourse on Utopia

Euthanasia

The introduction of the subject of euthanasia, not to mention the apparent support of it, seems to place More among certain modern thinkers, since that is still a controversial subject.

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