The Analysis Of Three Dimensions Of Utopian Literature

The utopia is an eternal subject in western ideological and literary history. Especiallyduring the course of development of western literature, the utopian literature as a kind ofliterary phenomenon has formed an ever-lasting literary tradition. Anti-utopian literature as abranch of the utopian literature came into flourishing at the beginning of the 20th century,whereas at the end of this century, the development of computer and networks brought e-topia,a new cultural phenomenon, into people's horizons. Approaching from the macroperspectives such as the interaction between man and technology, the development of historyand culture, this thesis tries to provide a fresh interpretation of the utopia, anti-utopia, ande-topia.This thesis is composed of four parts. The introductory parts gives a brief introductionof the development of utopian literature( including anti-utopia, and e-topia ), its presentstudies situation at home and abroad, and puts forward the author's theoretical frame in studyutopian literature in this thesis.Part I gives a thorough survey of the origination, development and evolvement ofutopian literature from the perspective of history. By summarizing the different pattern ofutopian literature in different social and cultural context, the author point outs that utopianliterature is closely related with the society and culture that produce it. And it helps peoplereflect the present through providing an optimistical description of the future.Part II discusses the reason for transition from utopia to anti-utopia from the realisticperspective, and explores the theme and characteristics of anti-utopian literature, that is,opposition to totalitarianism and scientism. The author thus concludes that anti-utopia is abranch and variation of utopia, and a denial to the utopia's assumption.Part III expatiates on e-topia, a new cultural phenomenon, from the perspective of future,and discusses the immense impact of cyberspace on human life style. The author thus pointsout e-topia, which emerges with the impetus of networks and informational technology,represents a new possible future for human beings.Part IV discusses the complex relations between ideology and utopia, anti-utopia, ande-topia from a theoretical level, and explores the link and distinction between these terms. Theconcluding part summarizes the three dimensions of utopian literature, and makes it clear thatthere exists a basic spirit running through the three dimensions if utopia literature, that is,reflection upon human beings and its existence. This therefore deepens the theme of thisthesis.