The Paradox Of Thomas Mores Utopia As An Adjective

When Thomas More penned Utopia in 1535, he not only created a new genre in fiction, he also created a new adjective. Miriam-Webster defines Utopia as: a place of ideal perfection especially in laws, government, and social conditions. An alternate definition given by the same dictionary is: an impractical scheme for social improvement.(Miriam-Webster) For the purpose of this essay we will be focusing on the latter; Utopia as an adjective. The paradox of the paradigm of Mores Utopia is that all human beings are governed on some level by their ego. For example; most, if not all men have bravado. And, all men, and women suffer from their own vanity. Even within the confines of their own relationship of the utopians with their higher†¦show more content†¦This text is nearly five hundred years old. The world Hythloday, and More lived in was literally birthed from the dark ages. The division between rich and poor was more than modest. (Forward 3) Yet despite his best effort to fi nd answer to the division of classes in Henry VIIIs Brittania More is imprisoned by the constructs of his world view. In his effort to rebuke his modern-day aristocracy, More is stuck within the confines of the world that he knows. His attempt to bridge the gap between rich and poor falls short in his creation of Utopian hierarchy of princes, diplomats, and clergy. Despite Mores attempt to design an elaborate form of democracy, in which all men are not created equally, the prince is still ruler for life. Falling short of tyranny he remains in office for life.(Puchner 2158) This, in and of itself seems contradictory to a society in which none is greater than the lesser. In a land where there is little need for laws, nor room for attorneys, the governor of this Utopian society must surely check his ego for inflation, or risk becoming like ordinary aristocratic rulers. After all, if not for wealth, and power, it is left to the reader to discern that it is his wit, and intelligence that defines his nobility. It is commonality, and equality that defines the citizens of Utopia. (Forward 3) Yet, in the