Prompt Write an essay that compares and contrasts utopian and dystopian societies.

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Identify the differences and similarities between utopian and dystopian societies by writing a compare and contrast multi paragraph essay.

Essay Written by Applepi101

Utopias & Dystopias: Comparing & Contrasting Two Different Worlds

Utopia, and dystopia, two different worlds, two similar names, yet so different in so many ways. A paradise, or a world gone wrong. Equal, or unequal. Perfect, or not. So many factors influence the living conditions that are in either the not-near future or what could have been our past.

Utopias were quite popular during the 19 century when William Morris wrote News From Nowhere in the late 1800's. People strive to create utopias in the US. A few of the places where utopian communities were started include Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Iowa, and New York. None of the creators succeeded, although having good intentions.

Dystopians, as stated earlier, are the exact opposite. The Giver, by Lois Lowry is a perfect example of this. Lowry wrote the book to show her discontent in the lack of awareness humans have about giving their rights and independence to another party, who often uses means of getting rid of anything that may be violating the policy of "sameness". Some examples in the book are when the Council gets rid of color, and the main character gets frustrated knowing that he would not have an opinion in the color of clothes her wears, what music he listens to and much more.

Although Jonas' community may seem highly utopian, children being given training for their future careers, it is highly dystopian. The society is run by an oli-garchy, which is a government run by a few people - in this case, the Community of Elders enforced the "laws". In his community, there is no drought, starvation, lack of housing, poverty, or even prejudice. Although we notice later in the book that the entire area has given up their basic rights, their freedoms, for this "common good" that people are being blinded by. The Community is aware of this, and thereby forbids that anyone from sharing the details of their job, even with their "family". Jonas realizes this is nothing but hypocrisy, and a society based on false ideals of goodness and conformity.

Overall, utopias are a place of ideal goodness, a place where everything is uniform, which in my opinion, would be a place where females and males have equal rights, and an equal say in politics, roles, and there would be no stereotypes restricting people based on gender identity, race, ethnicity, or income. Income would be at various costs depending on how large the family would be, and everyone would receive an education specifically to their career options, which would be based on their interests. There would not be climate change, plastic pollution, or an increased population, doesn't that sound ideal? However, with the world we have created today, it would be almost impossible for us to mold the already-hardened clay.

To sum up my statement, utopias are where there are no problems or issues presented, where everyone is equal, and all-in-all, an ideal society that everyone feels safe. A dystopia would be one where there is a group, person, or area controlling the entire community, whose ideas are presented in The Hunger Games, Animal Farm, The City of Ember, and many other extraordinary books.

Hope this helps!

--Applepi101

P.S I've been wanting to write an essay like this for a while, thank you for motivating me!!

the speech this question is referring to is president kennedy's special message to the congress on urgent national needs, may 25, 1961

kennedy responds in a very direct and concrete way to those thinking that communism is a positive system:

"yet their aggression is more often concealed than open. they have fired no missiles; and their troops are seldom seen. they send arms, agitators, aid, technicians and propaganda to every troubled area. but where fighting is required, it is usually done by others--by guerrillas striking at night, by assassins striking alone--assassins who have taken the lives of four thousand civil officers in the last twelve months in vietnam alone--by subversives and saboteurs and insurrectionists, who in some cases control whole areas inside of independent nations." (kennedy)

president kennedy presents communism as cowardly, as a hidden and treacherous weapon that strikes from the shadows like thieves, he represents the system as not even being capable of showing and open and overt attack or confrontation. to finish up the response, he expresses that the system attacks even a country's idependence and freedom.