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Janel Adraneda
Professor Florian
Cal State University, Northridge
ENGL114B
20 March 2014
We Are Utopia
Sir Thomas More created a work of fiction and political philosophy that illustrated the
perfect idea of a society with its religious, social, and political customs that came to be known
as Utopia. In his descriptions, he emphasizes a balance of freedom and equality among its
citizens by enforcing laws that required similar hours of labor, education, and use of a common
language. Adding on to that, people throughout the region were required to dress in identical
attire as well as learning the same basic skill (farming) to indicate equal status. Though there is a
fair amount of freedom throughout the region, there are still many laws that must be followed.
Utopias enforced laws not only benefit the well-being of all people, but it also prevents
any social or a political dispute to the point where having any quarrels was rare. Each person was
to follow a common law and those who fail to abide by them will be enslaved as punishment.
Although slavery is looked down upon in many places due to its tendency to objectify the human
race, it was different in Utopian society. In Utopia, slavery leaned more towards acts of
community service to better the society rather than torture. Those who were enslaved were
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treated no less than a human. In fact, some foreigners voluntarily joined slave labor for it also
promised opportunities for change.
Utopia is said to be a perfect society that can never be achieved in real life. Its perfect
balance of equality and freedom make it so that it will forever be an impossible reality. However,
Thomas Mores Utopia contains descriptions that are actually true in our society today in the
United States. Mores Utopia is not necessarily the perfect society no matter what people say. In
fact, there are many of the same laws (marriage/divorce, surveillance, criminals, and euthanasia)
that apply to our daily lives today and even with that being said, we are far from achieving that
perfect society.
Utopia contains several laws dealing with the idea of marriage and divorce. It is Utopian
custom that before getting married to your spouse, one must see their partner naked. Although it
is not a written law in the United States, this Utopian custom is one that most people in the
United States seem to observe as well. This idea is to acknowledge, in simple terms, what you
are getting yourself into before commitment. On the other hand, divorce is another story.
Although it is not encouraged, there are exceptions regarding divorce. It is not easy; however, it
is doable if the partners are not getting along. Also, there are exceptions if the partner is
unfaithful and cheats on their spouse. Whether or not the person is married, no person in the
Utopian society is entitled to their own privacy.
Utopia enforces laws of constant surveillance and no means of privacy. Given that Utopia
acts similar to a communist system where there is no private property and all citizens work for
the benefit of the society, constant surveillance is what ensures everyone is pulling their own
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weight. It is clear that in todays society private property still exists, however, there is no doubt
we are constantly being snooped on. For example, though there are no cameras in the comfort of
our own homes, there is surveillance cameras planted all throughout the area whether it be
inside local stores or outside in the open streets. The rise of the use of surveillance means that
Mores vision of constantly being watched is becoming more active as the time passes. Though
the use of surveillance is becoming more active today, it does not necessarily prevent crime.
Acts of crime in Utopia are punished similar to those of todays society. It is true that all
people of a Utopian society must dress in the same attire; however, criminals have a completely
different wardrobe just as criminals in our society today must wear bright orange overalls.
Though they are still treated no less than human, they are forever labeled a thief. In Utopia they
have a special hairstyle and part of their ear is cut off whereas in present-day America, felons
have their information on a record and may have a hard time finding a job or voting. Though
punishments are not as extreme as cutting off ones ear, someone who has been convicted will be
labeled permanently.
Aside from the specific laws Utopia has, their basic general laws, too, reflect upon the
structure of the present-day American society. America promotes equality, tolerance of different
religions, use of a common language, and freedom just as Utopia does. Though not all the laws
are identical, the basic laws that form the foundation of the society are similar making our
society similar to that of Sir Thomas Mores idea of Utopia.