I really liked this idea of contrast between the two books
that we talked about in class. I did not know before now that the first book
was added later and that originally there was only, what is now the second
book, describing only Utopia itself. I feel like the first book is a good look
into what is happening at the time in society. That the problems and questions
with government, power and society, which are universal, are firstly described
so that we as the reader can get a good sense of what the narrator feels needs
to be changed to better his own country.
By starting with problems faced the narrator was able to
show his radical opinions and ideas into how he believed things could be fixed
or made better by examples in the second book on Utopian society. Examples like
Raphael’s detest of war in book one: “For most princes apply themselves more
to affairs of war than to the useful arts of peace-they are generally more set
on acquiring new kingdoms, right or wrong, than on governing well those they
possess.” It is then contrasted by the
Utopian’s beliefs on war in book two with: “THEY detest war as a very brutal
thing-They, in opposition to the sentiments of almost all other nations, think
that there is nothing more inglorious than that glory that is gained by war-they
do not rashly engage in war, unless it be either to defend themselves.” Here we read first about how princes and men
want nothing more than go into war with anyone and take their land to expand
their kingdom, and turn war into some sort of sick sport, still more
impoverishing their country and their people by paying for it or making the
poor go to war. In Utopia however, the people there hate war, but make sure to
practice for battle so they are never caught off guard by other bloodthirsty
countries, but they would never willingly engage in or start a war, only to
defend themselves or to help protect a friend.
This is just one example that shows a good contrast between the
two books, where it can be seen the differences help us to better understand
why More was set on using these examples to describe Utopian society.
I agree with your position on the importance of the contrast between book one and book two. It really does help as get a sense for why Utopia was an important work. Without book one we would not have a basis on which to compare the perfectness of Utopia to. Like you explained in your post, the issue of feelings about war was contrasted between the two books. Another example might be the issue of punishment. As More explains, thieves were put to death. In Utopia, most things are punished by slavery.
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