Utopian giving--just a little too much.

The Utopia model does seem like a wonderful idea to follow. The idea of perfect order, perfect responsibility, and perfect unity. Such a model would rid society of poverty, war, inner-fighting, and promiscuity. To reduce the influence of greed and power, the system of sharing the excess of food and material is quite brilliant; it gives the citizens the sense of contribution for the greater good, and dissipates the drive for superiority over one another. Also, the focus on families and belief--whatever that may be--gives the Utopians a strong structure of character and fraternity; they are bonded together by the same cause, the same idea of order.

Another point that I think the Utopians did well, was the demystification of wealth, such as: gold, silver, jewels, and other precious stones. They did this by having the children play with rubies, diamonds, and emeralds; this in turn made these things less sought after when maturation occurred. A diamond or a ruby, for a man or woman of age, was nothing more than a child's plaything. This goes along the same line of using gold and silver for the chains of slaves. I wouldn't want to be wearing a gold chain around my neck or wrist, because I would look like a slave. Well done Utopians!

Although Utopia was not a war-faring country, it still practiced the strategies and techniques of battle and war. I especially thought their mode of action to end a war quite genius: find the one who declared war, the king in most cases, and kill him. Get rid of the problem quickly, and there won't be the issue of perpetuated bloodshed.

More does a good job at using Rafael Hythloday as the one who experienced the Utopian society, and not himself. If it had been him, and not some fictitious character who described Utopia, I'm sure he would have been executed for opposing the monarchy. Hythloday is the one talking, he's the culprit, and not More, and therefore More avoids the consequences from the throne. I thought that was rather clever on More's part.

Sadly, the Utopian society would not work. It would not work, because of the intense boredom that would spread like wildfire over the citizens. Yes, the society was fair, but it was not truly free. Everyone had their place, everyone had their role, but the boundaries don't seem to stretch beyond that. It's human nature to want, and it's human nature to seek after these wants. To maintain such a society would be tiresome and impossible. Ultimately there would be one that rises up, dethrones the king, and sends the system into turmoil. Precious stones and metals, whether given to children as a play toy or adorned about a slave, will always be beautiful and enthralling. It would not take long for deceit, envy, and greed to set in.

I don't think More ever intended Utopia to be a realistic place or idea, but instead a hopeful aspiration for even the slightest change in his own governmental system. Utopia seemed almost like a way More could open the eyes of the public, and help them realize the other possibilities. I think, at that time, the people were easily swayed--and rightfully so, based on the repercussions if they were not--by the opinion of the upper class. They had no voice, and yet they were the providers for everything the upper class enjoyed.