CliffsNotes on

Utopia & Utopian Literature

Search this CliffsNote

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

Cite this Literature Note

Win an iPod touch! Enter now

Has coverage of the Democratic National Convention changed your opinions?

It made me like Obama more.
It made me like Obama less.
It didn't change anything.

View Results

Summaries and Commentaries for Book II: The Discourse on Utopia

Travel

Travel, as can be seen, does not appear to figure largely in the scheme of living in Utopia. Two purposes for travel are suggested: to visit friends or to see distant parts of the kingdom.

Previous page
Next page
Resources

Tools & Resources

Ask Cliff

Read More About

Study Guides To-Go!
Get the complete text from CliffsNotes guides on your video iPod®.
Learn more!
cover
Learn the Words You Should Know
Vocabulary Puzzles is the fun way to ace the SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT & more!
The Ultimate Learning Experience!
WATCH the film and READ the lit note for a fast way to study!
Learn more!