Utopia English Essay PDF

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Text: Utopia by Thomas More and Pleasantville by Gary Ross...

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Utopia Essay

The utopian concept influences fictional yet idealistic literature, commenting on the issues of both one’s context as well as portraying the changing perspectives on a utopian society. First coined in Sir Thomas More’s 16th century novel Utopia, the utopian concept is explored in depth through the society of a fictional land in which More reflects his criticism on the political and religious landscape of Henry VIII’s rule. Gary Ross’s 1998 film Pleasantville similarly portrays a 1950 utopia contrasted with his context of the 1990s, in which two characters confront the issues of both decades to deconstruct the ideals of its utopia. Comparisons drawn between both texts demonstrate the contextual influences of utopian literature, highlighting the values and criticisms of the composer in their context and the difference between utopian societies as a result of changing contextual influences.

More shapes the society in Utopia through the criticisms of his context, most significantly addressing the issues of its monetary culture and hierarchical class differences of late Feudal England. Christian Humanism was a rising movement during the 16th century that reflected the values of equality within More’s Utopia. To counteract the importance of gold and silver held in normal societies, Utopia conditions their citizens to devalue them portrayed through the satirical use of gold in their society with “chains and fetters of solid gold to immobilise slaves.” In conjunction with the elimination of a monetary society, Utopia displays a distinction between the capitalist economic models of Europe and England and criticises the luxuries of nobility. More emphatically opposed the feudalist England society and disagreed with the domination of the nobility and its exploitation of the poor, as a result of his humanist values. Accordingly, the subjugation of the poor also saw prevalent class differences and created a hierarchical system, in which More rejects using recurring motifs of exaggerated conformity through the abolition of wealth, class structure and private property. The communal living suggested in Utopia “[architecture] so uniform one street looks like the side of the house”, while furthering his anti-capitalist ideas, overemphasise and allow readers to perceive the issues of this society. The recurrence and repetition of Utopia’s sustained conformity creates discourse on both the issues of ones context and the practicality of enforced values. Thus, the effect of irony and exaggeration within the text while commenting on More’s contemporary society, also questions the fault of unrealistic perfectibility in its utopian civilisation.

Similarly identified in Gary Ross’ representation of Pleasantville, the criticism of his own context portray his attitudes towards the utopian concept through the deconstruction of both the 1950s and the 1990s. Several layers of meaning within the exploration of Pleasantville’s ideas can be realised

through the variegated use of symbolism consistent throughout the film. The issues of Ross’ extended context is discussed with the use of mis en abyme to juxtapose ideas of the two decades. Two completely different worlds become interlinked when David and Jennifer enter Pleasantville, and the show illustrates its composer’s postmodernist criticisms of the 1950s as the idealised ‘Golden Era’.! The introduction of the fictional television world Pleasantville follows the opening montage where Ross undermines the 1990s context, commenting on its multitude of concerns such as economic decline, HIV AIDS and environmental crises. This juxtaposition allows criticisms of issues such as modern promiscuity, against the TV world of Pleasantville’s introductory use of “Once upon a time…”, as well as black and white monotony representing its idyllic yet one dimensional system. This use of colour opens a discussion on racism, where literal colour later appearing in their society alludes as a metaphor for racism in our current society, ‘colour’ similarly having negative connotations in Ross’ post-apartheid context. This is furthered with his use of intertextuality, such as the vandalism of Bill’s cafe reminiscent of Kristallnacht, and the segregation of the court a tribute to To Kill A Mockingbird’s iconic courtroom scene. These scenes used within the film effectively present his values within both societies, criticising the racism of both 1950s and 1990s. Through these representations, Gary Ross addresses the issues of both his context and his utopian society demonstrating his criticisms from economic and environmental issues to racism and discrimination. ! The dichotomy between Ross’s values of sexuality within his utopian society and More’s strictly monogamous civilisation are evident in their individual emphasis of certain values. While Utopia focuses on social equality and More is seen to be progressive during his period, certain aspects such as slavery, objectification of women in society and lack of sexuality for both genders in modern society would have been rejected in a utopia. The dominance of the utopian patriarchy is prevalent in the comparison of not taking the same precaution as “buying a horse… [and] choosing a wife”. In this society it is emanated that women are objectified, and commoditised like horses to be examined before marriage. As More was not explicitly aware of or exposed to issues of feminism within his context the Utopian society does not criticise this aspect in its utopian vision, seemingly ignorant of the female perspective. Similarly associated, the conceptualisation of utopia presents criticisms on adultery and premarital intercourse with strict marriage customs. More utilises satire to undermine the severe punishments for violations, with the exaggeration “They punish adulterers with the strictest form of slavery,” portraying adultery amongst the worst crimes. Premarital marital sex, similarly bringing “severe punishment… guilty parties forbidden to marry during their whole lives,” criticised and thus creates the value of abstinence. While More addressed and created utopian

solutions for many issues within his society, it is clear that issues within different contexts create different visions for ones perfect society.!

Contrarily, Pleasantville challenges the universality of established utopian values with Gary Ross’ values of sexuality and passion contrasted with Utopia’s. The use of humour is prevalent through scenes criticising the lack of sexuality alluding to self and individuality. Betty’s bathroom scene effectively implements feminist values highlighting the significance of her sexual discoveries through the angelic background music. The dramatisation of the the music brings in a humorous aspect to her sexual liberation whilst emphasising its importance, and the transitioning shots of the bathroom show colour appearing around her symbolising the positive values of her experience. Sexual liberation is a precursor to Ross’ feminist views and values of individuality and passion, criticising the conservative 1950s. While he also criticises 1990s promiscuity, his representation sexuality reflects his ideas on self and individuality, furthered in the cafe scene where Betty stays with Mr Johnson overnight, in which he wipes away her black and white makeup to reveal her coloured self. Again the use of colour as a metaphor for positive change demonstrates the beginning of her acceptance of self, as well as develops an intimacy and multi-dimensional relationship between the two characters. Similarly, Ross satirises the emergence of the pair’s self discovery of their feelings and emotions through humour, with a boy falling off a bike after seeing the naked mural of Betty. Considered together with Betty and Mr Johnson kissing, juxtaposed against the oppressive meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, adultery is not condemned within this society and used as an expression of emotion and passion. Thus, in contrast to More’s utopian values, the progress of Ross’ values transpired in Pleasantville demonstrate the ongoing changes within notions of utopian societies affected through each composer’s contexts.!

Thus, Thomas More’s Utopia and Pleasantville explore the issues and criticisms within the composer’s context as well as the changing nature of utopian cultures influenced by the context of their production. Ultimately, utopias act as a social commentary and discourse on both current and fictional societies surrounding issues within varying contemporary societies.!...