Utopia

Utopia is comprised of various forms of writing. Identify two to three writing forms that appear in the book and explain how they serve as framing devices for More’s depiction of Utopia. Why do you think More framed his discussion of Utopia in this way?

In Utopia individual liberties are highly limited but not eliminated. How do Utopians balance collective good with individual liberty? How would your community change if it adopted the Utopian approach?

Religion is a central part of life in Utopia. Explain how Utopians’ religious values support their political system. Could Utopian society exist without religion? Why or why not?

During their dinner with Cardinal Morton, the unnamed English lawyer and Raphael discuss the apparent failure of capital punishment to deter thievery. It becomes apparent that the two men see the problem of thievery and its just solution very differently. Explain the differences between their understandings of justice. Which position is more defensible, in your view?

Using examples from the text, analyze the role of gender in Utopian society. Are Utopian gender roles consistent with their egalitarian ideals? If so, offer a justification for why. If not, offer suggestions for how Utopian gender roles could be improved.

One of the novel’s major questions is the origin of social problems and, by extension, how they might be solved. Are these problems the result of individual vices or of social systems? Contrast the character More’s view with that of Raphael. Are these views totally opposed, or are they two sides of the same coin?

Raphael argues that aside from the system in Utopia, all forms of government are only pretenses for the rich to abuse and exploit the poor. Why does Raphael believe the rich and powerful are corrupt? How does he support his view? How do the Utopians attempt to root out and prevent such corruption?

The two books of Utopia are different in content and composition. Analyzing the structure and content of each book, explain why you think More elected to divide his novel in this way.