Utopia Dystopia

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A utopia is a society that is characterized by being one in which everything is perfect or ideal. The opposite of a utopia is a dystopia, a society where everyday life is less than perfect. These concepts are widely subjective for varying parties, as some may view the utopian society they live in as a dystopia and choose to leave to find true happiness for themselves. This is demonstrated in the novels, Into the Wild, The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas, and The Warmth of Other Suns. These three novels each demonstrate the same underlying themes. The main protagonists in each novel must deal with a realization that they are unhappy with the current state of their lives, they had to leave in search of a better life, and they must deal with the changes brought by there actions as it affects the state of the society they left. These various accounts serve to form a concept for the most ideal utopia within the three texts. The first common …show more content…

For example, Chris McCandless eventually made it to Alaska, but his death created strife for his loved ones who had no idea where he went. His interesting story intrigued many people across the nations, leaving people to wonder why he had ventured out to such a dangerous place. In the case of “The Ones who Walk Away from Omelas”, the effects of leaving the city were most likely insignificant. Instead of helping the child they chose to leave the city entirely and it is unclear whether they found an ideal place worthy of being called a utopia. In “the Warmth of Other Suns”, the protagonists moved to the North where conditions were significantly better, but it was in no way the utopia they hoped for. They were still faced acts of discrimination even though they lived in a better area. Even when they were surveyed about the state of their lives upon moving to the North, many African-Americans stated that they were enjoying new

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