Abstract
Two great literary works in English and Persian Literature; Thomas More’s Utopia and Hakim Sanai’s The Walled Garden of Truth display number of striking similarities, in addition to some prominent differences. This study tries to highlight the similarities and the differences between these two work; therefore, authors’ writing style, mood, characterization and perspective are compared. The results show that both works used journey, narrator, secluded island and priority of description over story narration, which are the key characteristics of literary utopias, as the key methods of their writings. Meanwhile the ideas which each author attempts to impart to his readers differ greatly from each other. More’s Utopia presents detailed description of England social organization and Sanai’s description of utopia (The City of God) is based on ethical and mystical notions of Islam.
Highlights
The construction of imaginary worlds, free from difficulties that beset us in reality, takes place in one form or another in many cultures
Thorough out history many other great examples of utopian literature have been created around the world; Among these Utopias we find in most cases searching analyses of current social situations, lucid and fascinating anticipations of a better or perfect society to come, and a presentation of instruments and principles of social progress (Hertzler,1992:2)
Literary Utopia focuses on the story to present its author concepts, whether those concepts philosophical, religious or mythical, they are told through characters experiences and observations
Summary
The construction of imaginary worlds, free from difficulties that beset us in reality, takes place in one form or another in many cultures. According to White (1955), Utopias are distinguished from all other forms of literature by their patent idealism They are ideal in both of the common senses of the word. They are ideal in that they are deliberately non-real; and, positively they are ideal in that they portray an exemplary pattern of culture. AlMadina al-Fadila, Farabi describes city-state of Medina under the rule of the prophet Mohamed as the best example of ideal society. Thorough out history many other great examples of utopian literature have been created around the world; Among these Utopias we find in most cases searching analyses of current social situations, lucid and fascinating anticipations of a better or perfect society to come, and a presentation of instruments and principles of social progress (Hertzler,1992:2)
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