The Development of Utopian Literature

It seems that the literary considerations that are foremost in the study of utopias are the lack of plot and character development. Both Matt Mayo and Keri Welborn acknowledged that these considerations were foremost to them, also. As the Roman poet Horace stated, the purpose of literature is to “inform and entertain.” With this in mind, utopian literature struggles to achieve both. It is these two considerations and objectives 1, 2, and 4 that make the genre of utopian literature another example of there not being any one true genre of literature. The texts we have read in class are all considered utopian; however, many of them include characteristics of other genres. The genre most commonly included in utopian literature is adventure/travel narrative.

Thomas More’s Utopia is one example of what is considered a “true” utopian novel. Rahpael is the main character and has visited the island, but he is somehow set apart from the story. Instead of being involved, he acts more as a “guide” to the island. He is there to answer any questions about the island, and he does so in such a way that the reader will see how the island is perfect. Because of Raphael’s detached role in the novel, the reader has a difficult time identifying with or becoming emotionally attached to him. Too often, this is the case in utopian texts, which results in them being labeled a travel narrative instead of a novel.

Another example of a “true” utopian text is Ernest Callenbach’s Ecotopia. Just as Utopia does, Ecotopia lacks a plot and character development. The difference between these two texts is that Callenbach makes an attempt to include these literary elements in his text. The newspaper articles give Ecotopia a different look, but it still comes across as a travel narrative. This is especially clear in the newspaper articles. They become the Raphael of Ecotopia. Meaning, that they become the “guide” for people to learn about Ecotopia even though they would never have the opportunity to go there.

Kristen Bird’s historical presentation of the Amish community and lifestyle ended up being like a travel narrative, also. Since it is very hard to get into the community to learn about it, or even join it, information on the group must come from an outside source or “guide”. In this sense, Kristen became like Raphael in Utopia or the newspaper articles in Ecotopia.

Using the examples of Utopia, Ecotopia, and Kristen’s historical presentation, one can see how literary and historical utopias end up being something that people have to hear about from another source. Whether it is someone who has visited these utopias or someone who has researched them, someone has to be the guide in these travel narratives.

Topic B3a

The Assumptions of Utopian Fiction

Ernest Callenbach’s Ecotopia matches some of the generic conventions of utiopan fiction, but also it varies from some of these conventions. In the texts we have read, there is always someone from the outside that visits the utopia. The importance of the forests is another similarity in our utopian texts. With the things the texts have in common, there are also differences in them.

One way that Ecotopia matches the generic conventions of utopian fiction in our earlier texts is that there was someone from the outside that visits the utopia. We see this occur in Herland and Utopia. While in Ecotopia, William protests the ways of the land and doesn’t understand why the others don’t feel the same way. In Herland, it is Terry to has different views of the utopia he finds himself in. William eventually comes around to the Ecotopian way of thinking with the help of Marissa. However, Terry does not and has to be removed from Herland to keep him from doing irreversible damage or hurting someone.

Another similarity between Ecotopia and Herland is the emphasis their residents put on their forests. Over time, the women of Herland changed their forest from one of decorative trees to one full of only fruit bearing trees. In Ecotopia the Ecotopians farm trees to use for the wood and for food, but they also keep trees that would appear as useless to the outsider.

There is a difference between Ecotopia and the novels we read earlier in the class. Callenbach puts more of the novel in Ecotopia. Although it is agreed that it wasn’t done well, there is some character development and plot in Ecotopia. This aspect makes it more like Herland. Callenbach also makes the reader aware that everything is not always peaceful and perfect in his utopian creation.

There is also a difference in what the people of Ecotopia believe and what those in Anthem believe. In Anthem there is no respect or appreciation for the land. The land is worked and cultivated, but they don’t love it like the people of Ecotopia. The forests in Anthem are not tended to either. The residents are afraid of the forests so they are not preserved. This is just the opposite of the way the Ecotopians feel about their forests.

Although there is a basic assumption of what a utopian novel will include, there are differences in the ways the people of these utopias will approach these generic conventions. Ecoopia, Herland, and Utopia are just three examples of how they can be the same, but also be different.