An American Utopia

A utopia sounds like a wonderful thing. The Oxford English Dictionary defines “utopia” as an “imagined or hypothetical place, system, or state of existence in which everything is perfect, esp. in respect of social structure, laws, and politics.” (OED, 2015, entry 2) But what happens when someone tries to bring this imagined land of perfection into reality? Both in fictional literature and in real life applications, utopian dreams destroy societies.

America has been plagued with the “American Dream” since its citizens first started spreading out westward in search of wealth and fame. Along with this American ideal came the concept of being un-American and not standing for what was considered “true” American. With the emergence of Populists, Progressives and Radicals came a vast difference between what was thought as American. All groups claimed to be trying to make the US a better place however each differed vastly in their ideas of going about it. During the age of uncertainty between 1890 and the 1920’s a new movement called the Progressives emerged in parts of the Unites States. They emerged as part of a long tradition of reform aimed at correcting the issues of the country.

One of the major themes Mitchell plays with in his novel is the concept of a utopian society, and what it is comprised of. In each story, there is a setup for a ‘perfect’ society, but humanity, or humanity’s spirit got in the way. Each story represents how the interpretation of things can shape a society, depending on how literal they take the events. In the story “Sloosha’s Crossin’ an’ Everythin’ After”, the tales are in place to develop the role of each character. Zachry fights his inner demons, just as Truman Napes does with Old Georgie. Zachry chooses to protect and befriend Meronym, even though it goes against his initial judgement. Meronym fights for the overall good of the people just as the crow does in “Prescient yarnie”. She goes out and lives with the villagers to gather information, and saves Zachry’s sister. She is making diplomatic decisions to take on the risk of changing the course of things by helping her. The function of Zachry and Meronym are to be foils of each other, even the story is told from the biased perspective of Zachry. Meronym is focused on long term goals, and the redevelopment of society, while Zachry is very much focused on the present time, and the folklore that affects his day to day life.

Often times in liberal societies the wealthy take all of the money, leaving the middle class and the poor with nothing. The text chosen for source one emphasizes the fact that the wealthy and corporate elite need to take care of the poor, that it is their responsibility to ensure the common good is being met. It explains how higher classes have a collective obligation to help those who are in need. This idea corresponds with having a collective responsibility; a strong principle of collectivism. The ideas given in the text are collectivist ideas, describing how it is a responsibility of the rich to work for the common good, not just their own good. This mimics another principle of collectivism: collective interest. The author of the source does not explain the ridding of the social classes, but they outline the ideas of the upper class making sure that classes lower than them are being taken care of. The source does not describe government involvement, which is why the source mirrors the ideas of Robert Owen and Utopian Socialism. Owen believed that it was the factory owners job to take sure that their workers were treated with proper care and consideration. This puts an emphasis on a great responsibility of the rich working towards the collective good, just as the source described above. In contrast, many capitalists would likely disagree with the notion, because it puts restraints on the economic freedoms they hold so dearly. Capitalists believe in pursuing your self

America. The greatest country. The strongest country. The one country most people want to live in. The country that provides help for the ones in need and free education for everybody. America has lived up to the ideals in the Declaration of Independence such as democracy, opportunity, but most importantly, liberty. In America, we are all born with liberty or as others call it, “rights.”

America is one word that brings the hope of freedom to many people around the world. Since the United States’ humble beginnings freedom has remained at the core of its ideologies and philosophies. People of all races, nations, and tongues have found refuge in America. The National Anthem proclaims, “…land of the free, and home of the brave” (Key, 1814). But has America been consistently a land of the free? Unfortunately freedom has not always reigned. There is a constant struggle to overcome fear and prejudice in order to provide a true land of freedom. In times of heightened tension, the masses of common people seek to find a scapegoat. Often, this scapegoat is a minority

In recent years, there has been an attack on a basic American right, a right so fundamental and deeply rooted that it defines the basis of American culture. With the ever growing and sweeping power of the U.S. government, society is beginning to feel like this right has been crushed and forgotten. Wars were fought and people sacrificed their lives in the name of protecting the right worth dying for. What defined one’s livelihood, gave one a personhood, ensured democracy, promoted labor, and maximizes the happiness of the people will all come crumbling down. What was once an indicator of the elite leaders of a democratic society has become nothing more than a pawn in a political game.

This society is full of violence and drugs which affect innocent people every day. This society is so corrupted it is really hard to trust anyone. The society of Bluefield is different from any other society. Bluefield was founded to make a difference and to encourage the rest of the world to change. Bluefield offers peace, comfort and a lot of happiness, it is different because it also offers free beds and free insurance. Bluefield will be different from this society.

Since the 1960's, radical movements for social change in the United States have sought to expose the fallacies behind the American way of life. As their efforts have shown us, ours is not a nation where all peoples are free, where everyone gets a fair chance and justice presides. In fact, though we as a nation believe firmly in the principles of democracy, we have often failed miserably in making these principles a reality. Social change has thus been about striving for freedom for all peoples in all spheres of life_economic, political, culturally, educationally...the list goes on and on. Behind all of this change is the understanding that, contrary to establishment beliefs,

America’s history is filled with constant arguing, debating, and bickering. Because America is so diverse and full of people with differing opinions, it is important that everyone is given a voice. The Bill of Rights is opened with the 1st amendment, which consists of the freedom of speech, religion, petition, press, and assembly. These are the cornerstones of American society, and the freedom to assemble has guided America to where it is today. This promise was a direct response to many events in colonial America, has been defended in court as shown is the case of the Village of Skokie vs. the National Socialist Party, and was pushed to its limit at the White Nationalist Rally in Charlottesville, yet the persistence of this right proves how controversy succumbs to the freedom of expression.

The modern world still deals with racism and dehumanization, but nothing could compare to how people were treated way back in the olden days. To be living in a utopia, it is described to be “A place of ideal perfection especially in laws, government, and social conditions” (“Utopia”). Meanwhile, the opposite of that society is called a dystopia, which is “A society characterized by human misery, as squalor, oppression, disease, and overcrowding” (“dystopia”). It is believed that any utopian society does not remain one, for there is no possible way every person in a community thinks the same way about what a perfect society looks like. In the novel 1984 by George Orwell, there is a broad known fact that the Party creates an illusion of a

In our lives today, we take advantage of all the luxuries that are presented daily. Freedom alone is one of the greatest luxuries we possess as an American nation. In Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs and Utopia by Thomas Moore, we are presented two life styles, which some might consider very similar in various ways. Both authors focus on a peaceful living lifestyle, to better the people of the nation. Although some of their specific details are different, I believe that Jacobs would definitely approve of the features that More develops in Utopia.

     Sir Thomas More writes, in his book Utopia, about a society that is perfect in practically ever sense. The people all work an equal amount and everything they need for survival is provided. Most importantly is that everyone living in this perfect society is happy and content with their everyday lives. In this society everybody supports everyone. The community is only as strong as its weakest link. For society to progress everyone must work together. Opponents of the Utopian system, however, feel that the strong should not have to look after the weak. Progress would be maximized if all the resources are spent on the people most qualified to help society. A Utopian society, as perfect as the one

Firchow, Peter Edgerly. "George Orwell's Dystopias: From Animal Farm to Nineteen Eighty-Four." Bloom's Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 11 Mar. 201

In My Utopia, no ideal government exists. My Utopias’ ideal government would serve one function, and one function only – to protect our liberty, not take it away. Also the power would lie in the community/people’s hands and not in a woman/man with a suit and tie doing whatever lobbyists want them to do. My utopias’ ideal government would strive for love and peace, instead of striving for war and fear.