More's Utopia and Its Critics

In the companion More's Utopia and Its Critics, readers are provided with a translation of Sir Thomas More's Utopia (1516), followed by a collection of short works on the book and on the author himself. The introduction provides a small amount of background regarding the origins of utopianism, specifically in Plato's The Republic, and the origins of the word "utopia" itself, but aside from that all information and criticism is to be found in various works collected in the second half of the book. The companion works range from More's own letter about the book to various criticisms by scholars, Marxists, humanists, and numerous other perspectives. Additionally, the last part of the source focuses on more modern interpretations from the 21st century perspective. The inclusion of both modern socialist- and democratic-minded critics in particular emphasizes the on-going argument about the role that the government should play in the "ideal" society, a battle waged since the very founding of American government as a potential model, a new hope with a new form of government, breaking away from the often-oppressing centralized governments of "the old world." While the criticisms are naturally biased depending on the author, the range of perspectives provided allows for a wider view of the topic from its origins on.

Ed. Ligeia Gallagher. More's Utopia and Its Critics. Chicago: Scott, Foresman and Company, 1964.