Recently I have had the opportunity to teach Utopia, written by Sir Thomas More, to post graduate students. One thing that
confused me was to which literary genre should we put the book. Wikipedia terms it a novel, and we all know Wikipedia is not a trusted source. I discussed this issue with the students. One student wanted to term it as the first novel in English literature. but we all know Utopia was not first written in English but in Latin. the English utopia was just a translation of the Latin text. Any way , the text has all the makings of a novel. There are characters, events, though it does not have a plot. But, plot is not a necessary condition for a novel. Those who have read novels like
Ulysses will defenitely agree with me. $0Another thing that we discussed was regarding the focus of reading the book. As literature students what should be the focus in reading and analyzing the book. To analyse it comparing with our society and to link it with economical aspects I felt best suited an economics student. I asked my students to focus their attention on the literary aspects of the text. The
narrative technique, theme, other aspects like irony, autobiographical elements etc. $0$0The narrative of
Utopia is in the form of a dialogue. The book is termed as one of the best platonic dialogues of all age. Why More used this narrative technique? Is it because he wanted to avoid the wrath of the rulers? What More has done with this book is that he criticized the current ruling set up in England. By presenting his opinions in the mouth of
Hathloday and More himself becoming part of the narrative and disagreeing with Hathloday the writer has been able to dispel any notion from the readers mind that it was the author's personal opinion and suggestions that are being relayed through the text. $0$0Irony is one dominant aspect of the text. By irony we mean is the difference between what is said and what is intended, or what is shown and what actually is the meaning.
Utopia abounds with irony. The fictional More who criticizes Hathloday actually is a technique employed by the author to say something and disclaim responsibility for what he has said. This irony is effected by the presence of the fictional More. $0$0Another aspect that I wanted the students to focus upon is the hidden aspects of the text. The hidden narratives that lie beyond the obvious narration. The decision of Hathloday not to join as a councilor to any king reflects one personal struggle More had to undergo in his own life. The theme of happiness in
Utopia is an obvious assertion of his religious bend of mind and a critque of materialistic attitude that gained ascendency over piety. That what will bring us true happiness is a 'discourse' that engaged human mind since time immemorial. Infact the literary significance of Utopia lies in the manifestation of this discourse. In that sense
Utopia deals with a highly philosophical theme.