Two views of utopian society in Sir Thomas More's "Utopia" and the Gary Ross film "Pleasantville." More's novel looked at the possibilities for societal perfection during a time of great political and economic change in 15th century England. In "Pleasantville," a great appreciation of present-day society is promoted by showing the social flaws of the sterotypically idyllic society of the 1950s.
The ideas of a perfect society in which all humans are blissfully happy, equal, prosperous and living simply and peacefully has always appealed to humans across many cultures in different historic periods. The purpose of both composers of the two texts differ as the composer of Utopia, Sir Thomas More propagates the idea of Utopia to instigate change within the society of the 16th century. Similarly, the composer of the film Pleasantville, Gary Ross, adapts the core concept of Utopia as a way of encouraging his viewers to develop a more positive approach to the human attitudes to the contemporary society of the 1990's. Both composers however use various techniques to express their view through satire, which incorporates exaggeration, irony and obvious contrast.
Sir Thomas More perceived notions of perfection that are portrayed in his text.....
