Study Guide Utopia

English 4, Unit 2: Utopia and Dystopia Sir Thomas More’s Utopia Study Guide

Directions: As you read, complete each question below. Type your answers in the appropriate spaces provided.

1. In Book I, who is the narrator? What point of view is this?

2. More and Giles strike up a conversation with someone. Who is this? What does he do? Why are they interested in him?

3. More and Giles believe Hythloday would make a great advisor to a king. Does Hythloday agree with this? Why or why not?

4. Hythloday’s concern about kings and advisors points out a problem with European society. What is this problem?

5. The author Sir Thomas More has created the fictional character Sir Thomas More within the first narrative frame. Do you think it is wise to see both the real person and the character as one? Why or why not?

6. According to Hythloday, what are some other problems with European society?

7. In Book II, who is the narrator? What point of view is this? Why does the author use this narrative frame?

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8. Describe the cities in Utopia.

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9. How does the Utopian method of farming promote harmony in their society?

10. In general, what form of government does Utopia have?

11. How do Utopians get jobs and how is this different from Europe in the 16th century?

12. How do Utopians treat education and how is this different from Europe in the 16th century?

13. Do you find it odd that Utopia allows slavery? Why or why not?

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14. Do Utopians believe in war? Why or why not?

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15. Sir Thomas More played a large role in persecuting the Protestants. Why, then, is the Utopian view of religion a bit unexpected?

16. Do you believe that Utopia is the most perfect of societies?

17. In questions 4 and 6, you highlighted problems with 16th century Europe. Specifically, how does Utopia act as a solution to those problems?

18. Does the frame narrative effectively separate Sir Thomas More from the controversial ideas discussed in Utopia? Why or why not?

Yes, because more has created layers of perspective that protect him from scrutiny. The real More’s conservative viewpoints are evident in the fictional More, while Hythloday viewpoints are controversial. The author puts the fictional More in debate with Hythloday, the real Sir Thomas More appears to oppose some of the more radical ideas. Hythloday acts as a tool to expose those redical ideas.

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The narrator is Sir Thomas More. The point of view is first person

Raphael Hythloday is the person more is talking too. He agrees to stay in Utopia. They are interested in him because was a philosopher and a world traveler that spent five years in Utopai.

Hytholday doesn’t agree but he is going to stay in Utopia.

Hythloday explains that the kings and advisors are driven by greed rather than serving the people.

I think it is important to see the real person and the character as one because you get to see the actual photo of the person and you can really tell how this person is going to be in the story.

Capital punishment for theft, kings expanding territory rather than governing their own territory, private property, and distrust in new technology.

Hythloday, and first person view. The author uses the narrative frame because they are able to discuss numerous subjects.

Utopia is a perfect social, legal, and political system. It is an ideal society.

All produce is evenly distributed among all citizens, and the food is good.

Utopia has a democracy, citizens are bound to the same laws.

Utopians can choose their jobs. It was different from Europe in the 16th century because there was less mobility between job and classes.

All Utopian children got a proper education. In the 16th century Europe, the wealthy had the money and time for a private education for their children.

I do find it odd because Utopia is supposed to be a perfect society and if they did have slaves they would be like everyone else in the world because they had slaves as well.

They hated war and they thought it was a brutal thing, they think that there is nothing more badly than the glory gained by war. But they will protect themselves, friends, or oppressed people.

The Utopians are very tolerant of different religions. More contradicted himself during the Protestant Reformation.

It seems to have many problems of its own even being a perfect society. An example would be slavery.

The problem with advisors would not exist in Utopia, because most citizens have equal say in how they are governed. There is no reward in Utopia for winning the favor of someone in high political power. Utopia does not own private property. Theft would be less likely in Utopia because everyone’s needs are provided and territory expansion would not be an issue because it is not a reason for war.