Reading Questions for Sargent due Aug 28

For Sargents "Utopian themes, traditions and variations" fill out this reading analysis worksheet:

A. Summarize the main points of the article in one paragraph in your own words.

The idea of Utopia predates its first significant text, Mores Utopia, which is what the modern definition of Utopia, is based off of. Humans have entertained the idea of Utopia since even the earliest of times. Utopia expands across Greek and Roman myths, religions (Christianity and anything that plays with any concept of a heaven or hell), and political issues. As time has pushed forward, so has the spread of the idea of utopia. With the development of publishing to radio to movie media, the ideas of a utopia or even the more popular pop culture dystopia, utopia continues to grow as a hot topic of debate and discussion.

B. Write out two analytical questions that you would like to discuss in class. Pay particular attention to themes, aesthetics (form, metaphor, simile, image), philosophy, etc. Note the page number of one or two examples, so that we can turn to them when we discuss your question in class.

1. It seems that the early ideas of utopia were created with more of a purpose to appease simpler needs (example: Cockaignes and Noble Savages). With the exception to Platos Republic and Laws, politics take a back seat (noting that feminism utopias still play a small role) until the rise of the ideas of communism and socialism. Why does it seem to take so long to focus utopias back onto politics?

2. The development of Christianity is said to be a central part of utopian lexicon, but there are older religions than Christianity that toy with the idea of utopia. Why is Christianity, specifically, the religion to spark this idea of utopia.

Factual questions or question of content should be brought up when we are discussing a question that relates to your factual question.