The Overarching Utopian Litotes An Examination of the Relationships Between the Two Parts of Utopia and Their Greater Rhetorical Significance - Literature Essay Samples

sometimes a word is put down with a sign of negation, when as much is signified as if we had spoken it affirmatively, if not more John Smith (225) Thomas Mores Utopia is a work that embodies and embraces ambiguity. In fact almost every aspect of the book is instilled with a range of interpretable and unclear meaning, from the intricacies of its language (such as the alternate meanings of its title, which suggests both good place and no place) to the presentation of seemingly paradoxical ideas with a range of middle ground in between. One of the most frequently used techniques employed by More in putting forth ambiguous statements and ideas is the inclusion of litotes, or double negatives. Perhaps the most conspicuous example is in the phrase no less beneficial than entertaining (3) that is used to describe the books purpose in the opening statement. Many similar examples are scattered throughout the book, such as in the description of the thief whose sentence is no less severe for theft than it is for murder (228), and in the Utopian idea that there is no less provision for those who are now helpless but once worked than for th ose who are still working (228). In these cases More is twisting language in order to imply but not to implicitly state his ideas. This leaves the reader somewhat unsure as to how emphatic his statements are, and on the surface this gives the impression of Mores musings as being open-minded and fairly non-polarized. But on a deeper level it is a rhetorically compelling technique that tends to steer the reader into a one-sided interpretation in spite of the illusion of ambiguity. In the same way that a statement such as not uncommon implies commonality, Mores litotes imply more than they openly admit. This kind of effect can be seen not only at the grammatical level, but also at larger and arguably more significant dimensions of the book, even all the way up to its division into two parts. Parts One and Two of Utopia, with their conflicting arguments for practicality and idealism respectively are, in a sense, the two halves of a double negative. Because of this, Part One is both a pr elude to Book Two in the sense that it introduces the conflicting identities of the two central characters, as well as the rhetorical way in which More is going to use humanist argumentative style, but it is also a postscript in that it is the second part of a litotes. The discourse between Thomas Mores persona and the character of Raphael Hythloday that comprises Book One is essentially a one-sided discussion of possible ways to reform England. This focus on reform tends naturally towards an emphasis on problems, rather than ideals, in the form of biting criticism of contemporary English society from the character of Hythloday. During his conversation with Hythloday, Mores persona occasionally tries to tie a practical anchor to Hythlodays comments in an undercutting manner that is absent from the second book, where naive idealism runs rampant and unrestrained. In Book One, however, More argues that ideas are useless without action, and through his persona he prescribes the bringing about of practical reform through direct involvement of oneself in politics. Hythloday disagrees with More on the grounds that submission to authority is absolutely repellent to [his] spirit (7), but nevertheless he is used to explore the major problems of England from a fairly practical viewpoint. These problems include uprooting of yeomen, excessive and ineffectual criminal punishment, uneven distribution of wealth, hypocritical religious values and idle nobility. The insightful, provocative points that Hythloday makes on these subjects have an air of pure philosophy to them that is filled with persuasive logic to sway the reader. The effectiveness of such an argumentative style can be seen in such examples such as his comment in denigrating the judicial system that when the punishment is the same, murder is safer, since one conceals both crimes by killing the witness (15) and other remarks such as the following made concerning human nature, it is impossible to make all institutions good unless you make all men good, and that I dont expect to see for a long time to come (26). While these remain uncontested points in Utopia, Hythlodays most radical idea, the elimination of private property, is greeted with skepticism from More that is not seen again until a brief and somewhat diluted reappearance at the end of the book. This skepticism serves to provide a divisive viewpoint on the issue of private property (which is really the central theme of the text) and thus sets the stage for the second book, which is essentially Hythlodays counter-argument to Mores questioning tone. Thus part one of Utopia is mostly comprised of practical analysis of Englands problems, with a quick shift into speculation and idealism tagged onto its end. Book Two can be interpreted as an idealistic guide on how we, (or rather 16th century England) might be able to build a close-to-perfect (or at least closer-to-perfect) society. The blueprint on how to do this is delivered through the shining example of Utopia, and in the process all of Hythlodays previous practicality is thrown to the wind as he delivers a fantasy-filled account of the strange island and its people down to the last minute detail. He begins by telling us of a landmass comparable in size and with similar features to England, but as his account develops these similarities serve only to highlight fundamental societal differences that have arisen despite geographical and regional similarities between the island, England and Europe at large. In describing the Utopian way of life, More places heavy emphasis on the features that specifically serve to oppose the undesirable elements of English society critiqued in Part One. Currency is eliminated, and even looked down upon w ith gold being turned into chamber pots and chains for slaves, thus eliminating the imbalance of wealth (47). There is no place for idle nobility in the system of government, which resembles Platos idea of a Republic as opposed to the feudal English system that Hythloday is so critical of. The justice system is lenient in comparison with the harsh sentences that More describes in his home nation. A work schedule of only a few hours a day with an emphasis on agriculture stands in stark contrast to the long, grueling hours of most English citizens. There is even a relatively high degree of religious tolerance, although it could be argued that this is only at a superficial level because all Utopians tend towards believing in a suspiciously Christian God anyway. The brand of naive, impractical vision that More displays in creating this counter to English society is essentially that of a communist idealist. It is mostly fantasy that cannot realistically be implemented into any European society of the time, principally due to the European necessity for currency and trade. More admits this even before going into its details (through Hythloday) in the following passage from Book One: However superior those institutions might be (and as a matter of fact they are), yet here they would seem inappropriate because private property is the rule here, and there all things are held in common. People who have made up their minds to rush headlong down the opposite road are never pleased with the man who calls them back and tells them (26) Today we can see that the flaws and impracticalities of Utopia extend past the difficulties of dissolving private property, but perhaps this is an insight that we have only gained from looking back on the failed historical attempts of actual communist governments. Certainly Mores governmental ideals are startlingly similar to those of later communist manifestos, with the relationship between people and government glorified in contentment, such that the governments power is present but not perceived as coercive. Of course, truly non-coercive power may as well not be present at all, and Mores book requires a ground-up building not only of society, but also of human nature. The kind of tolerance and co-operation present in his ideals could only be achieved through reduction of conflict by unifying human thought and action, thus allowing people to naturally work together for the common good that Utopia represents. The question is whether More believes that this dilution of individuality is a worthy ideal, and to answer this we must return to the rhetoric behind the overarching litotes composed by the division between the two books. Essentially, by the end of Book One the reader has been presented with an argument highlighting the imperfections of England, and by the end of Book Two Utopia has been thoroughly and intricately depicted as the opposite or negation of this imperfect society. Thus, through the resulting litotes that Utopia is not imperfect, More is on some level implying its perfection. In reality, Utopia may be better than England (at least on the levels at which More is critiquing society), but it is ambiguous as to how much better. An interesting aspect of the arrangement of the book is that, were More to have omitted Book One (as in the first draft of Utopia), the litotes would not be complete, and its resulting effect would disappear. The reader would be left only with the idealism without any sign of negation, and Mores Utopia would be far less persuasive. It is of course necessary for this negation to be placed at the beginning of the book, to avoid a necessity to contest the ideals of the fir st part. The ending, which provides no direct resolution as to whether Utopia is truly what it claims to be, shows that More is aware of this problem and is reluctant to counter his previously made points. But while the book may seem to end in an ocean of ambiguous ideas, we as readers must remain aware that its argumentative thread at a deeper level flows strongly in the path of one particular direction of current. Mores reasons for arguing so subtly and underhandedly for what seems an unfeasible idealism are somewhat ambiguous in themselves, as at first glance his idealism seems to violate the practical aspects of his humanist philosophy. Perhaps he realizes that to affect change an ideal must at first be present, even if it is an unrealistic one. Certainly, Mores ideals could certainly not be implemented in 16th Century England in their pure form. It could be, however, that he saw the discovery of the New World as a possible chance to start a new Utopia, one that could be free of European materialistic constraints and untainted by the inertia of long established social and political institutions. If this is true, then his Eden is an impossible one, but we will never be able to know whether he realized that this was the case. As it is, Utopia stands as an educative look at the basis of communist philosophy and its flaws, as well as a subtle and nuance-filled work that validates idealism through humanist rhetoric, thus arguing for what is ironically a far more impractical society than More could have ever realized during his lifetime.

Homesick Child Here’s How to Help

Know That Feeling Homesick is CommonThe fact is many college students wish they could just come home, especially during their freshman year. Heading off to school is a rough transition and is typically the first time most children are away from home for an extended period. Plus, they are often responsible for managing more of their daily lives, such as meal times and doing laundry, and are dealing with a rigorous class schedule. Adjusting to the paradigm doesnt come naturally to a large number of students, leaving them homesick.Suggest Utilizing On-Campus ResourcesFeelings of homesickness are so common that some campuses actually have student support groups to help ease freshmen through the transition. Not only is this a great way to find some additional support, but it can also help your child meet new people who are in the same proverbial boat.Mental health professionals on campus can also assist with feelings of being homesick. Some students have reservations about using these ser vices, but it can provide an excellent outlet for their concerns and be a source of great advice. Most psychologists working on college campuses understand that students may struggle with the transition, and it is almost guaranteed they have helped others deal with feelings of being homesick before. In that regard, these professionals can provide an important connection during your childs time of need.Offer Them SupportWhen your child is homesick, providing them with support is an important step. A big part of being supportive is to listen to their concerns. This helps you identify the areas in which your student is struggling, making it easier to offer encouragement and advice after theyve expressed their emotions.Once you understand their situation, consider making recommendations that will help them establish a new home on campus. Typically, this involves finding potential activities that will allow your homesick child to form a stronger social circle and give them something enjo yable to do.For example, you can assist them as they evaluate clubs on campus that peak their interest. Encouraging them to join study groups can also be beneficial, especially if your student is also concerned about their academic performance. Often, there are activities and events planned on campus as well, so recommending they check bulletin boards in their residence hall may help them find ways to connect with other people.Ultimately, once your child finds their own little community within the university, they often dont feel near as homesick (if at all.)Encourage Your Child to Explore Their New HomePart of what causes students to feel homesick is their lack of familiarity with the environment. Living in a new city can be intimidating, and the stress of classes may amplify their negative feelings.To help them work past this, encourage your child to get to know their new surroundings. This can include scoping out campus to find great study spots to enjoy on a sunny day or finding nearby restaurants that have spectacular lunch specials or a fabulous cup of coffee.Getting comfortable with their surroundings can help your student establish a sense of ownership in their new home, making feelings of homesickness easier to manage.Reassure Your Homesick StudentDuring your conversations with your child, make sure to reassure them. Let them know that they arent the only person who has felt this way and remind them of how completing their degree will help them secure their future and achieve their goals.Additionally, let them know that these feelings often subside with time, especially as they get more involved on campus or around their new city. Encourage them to focus on the positive and work to cultivate relationships that can offer them the support they need.When you reassure a homesick child, you may be tempted to intervene. However, certain actions can actually make things worse instead of better. Here are a few things you shouldnt do if you really want to help them work through this.Allow Your Homesick Child to Come Home Too FrequentlyThe occasional home visit is fine, such as during major school holidays. But having your homesick student come back every weekend might make it harder for them to work past the issue.Letting them visit too often means your child will be less likely to reach out to others and begin making their college feel like home. That way, theyll be more inclined to build strong support systems with others at the school.Visiting Too OftenJust as allowing your child to come home too frequently can be a problem, so can visiting them too often. If you make yourself too present, your homesick student wont be as willing to forge strong bonds with people at their college.Sure, the occasional dinner out together can be a great way to offer support and encouragement. But taking them out three nights a week or flying out to visit every weekend may do more harm than good.Watch Out for Depression As a parent, the last thing you want is for your child to be homesick when they head to college. Most students have mixed emotions as they strike out on their own, often feeling excited about this new direction, but also anxious about what the future holds. In some cases, thenegative emotions have your child longing for their old life at home, and it can be heartbreaking when this happens.Typically, parents can sense when their student has reached that point. Some children will verbalize that they are homesick while others will seek support and permission to leave school. In some cases, the signs will be less obvious. However, there are indications that your student may be homesick, including, but not limited to:AnxietyFeeling like they dont fit inDecreased motivationLonelinessSadnessIrritabilityLonging for a connection with someoneDealing with a homesick child is tricky. Many parents want to welcome their children home with open arms, but understand that, in doing so, it can harm th eir childs future. You also dont want to be too distant during conversations or forceful when saying your student should stay in school.Finding middle ground when your child is homesick is often the best option, but isnt easy to obtain.Here are some tips for helping your college student that can help you both find balance in the situation.Know That Feeling Homesick is CommonThe fact is many college students wish they could just come home, especially during their freshman year. Heading off to school is a rough transition and is typically the first time most children are away from home for an extended period. Plus, they are often responsible for managing more of their daily lives, such as meal times and doing laundry, and are dealing with a rigorous class schedule. Adjusting to the paradigm doesnt come naturally to a large number of students, leaving them homesick.Suggest Utilizing On-Campus ResourcesFeelings of homesickness are so common that some campuses actually have student suppo rt groups to help ease freshmen through the transition. Not only is this a great way to find some additional support, but it can also help your child meet new people who are in the same proverbial boat.Mental health professionals on campus can also assist with feelings of being homesick. Some students have reservations about using these services, but it can provide an excellent outlet for their concerns and be a source of great advice. Most psychologists working on college campuses understand that students may struggle with the transition, and it is almost guaranteed they have helped others deal with feelings of being homesick before. In that regard, these professionals can provide an important connection during your childs time of need.Offer Them SupportWhen your child is homesick, providing them with support is an important step. A big part of being supportive is to listen to their concerns. This helps you identify the areas in which your student is struggling, making it easier to offer encouragement and advice after theyve expressed their emotions.Once you understand their situation, consider making recommendations that will help them establish a new home on campus. Typically, this involves finding potential activities that will allow your homesick child to form a stronger social circle and give them something enjoyable to do.For example, you can assist them as they evaluate clubs on campus that peak their interest. Encouraging them to join study groups can also be beneficial, especially if your student is also concerned about their academic performance. Often, there are activities and events planned on campus as well, so recommending they check bulletin boards in their residence hall may help them find ways to connect with other people.Ultimately, once your child finds their own little community within the university, they often dont feel near as homesick (if at all.)Encourage Your Child to Explore Their New HomePart of what causes students to feel homesic k is their lack of familiarity with the environment. Living in a new city can be intimidating, and the stress of classes may amplify their negative feelings.To help them work past this, encourage your child to get to know their new surroundings. This can include scoping out campus to find great study spots to enjoy on a sunny day or finding nearby restaurants that have spectacular lunch specials or a fabulous cup of coffee.Getting comfortable with their surroundings can help your student establish a sense of ownership in their new home, making feelings of homesickness easier to manage.Reassure Your Homesick StudentDuring your conversations with your child, make sure to reassure them. Let them know that they arent the only person who has felt this way and remind them of how completing their degree will help them secure their future and achieve their goals.Additionally, let them know that these feelings often subside with time, especially as they get more involved on campus or around their new city. Encourage them to focus on the positive and work to cultivate relationships that can offer them the support they need.When you reassure a homesick child, you may be tempted to intervene. However, certain actions can actually make things worse instead of better. Here are a few things you shouldnt do if you really want to help them work through this.Allow Your Homesick Child to Come Home Too FrequentlyThe occasional home visit is fine, such as during major school holidays. But having your homesick student come back every weekend might make it harder for them to work past the issue.Letting them visit too often means your child will be less likely to reach out to others and begin making their college feel like home. That way, theyll be more inclined to build strong support systems with others at the school.Visiting Too OftenJust as allowing your child to come home too frequently can be a problem, so can visiting them too often. If you make yourself too present, your home sick student wont be as willing to forge strong bonds with people at their college.Sure, the occasional dinner out together can be a great way to offer support and encouragement. But taking them out three nights a week or flying out to visit every weekend may do more harm than good.Watch Out for DepressionMany of the signs of being homesick can actually indicate your child is depressed. Telling the difference isnt always easy, but it can be possible. The most notable difference is that homesick students typically feel better once they are home for a visit or doing a favorite activity while a depressed person wont experience relief from their negative thoughts and feelings regardless of how the situation changes.If you think your child is depressed, its important to encourage them to get help immediately. If left untreated, depression can have serious consequences, so it shouldnt be ignored. Most college campuses have psychologists available on-site who can help them work through thi s challenging time.With some time and the right kind of support, most homesick students will begin to feel better. Encourage them to explore their new campus and city, and join clubs or groups that can help them connect with like-minded students. Once they gain their footing, theyll begin to feel more confident, allowing them to make the most of their college experience.Send Them a Little Piece of HomeOne method for helping a homesick student is to send them a little piece of home as a source of comfort. Care packages can be excellent for this, allowing you to couple a favorite item with a variety of other treats and special gifts to make them feel more comfortable.To learn more about sending care packages, check out our article here.DID YOU KNOW?Many parents dont realize that students can keep looking for scholarships even after theyve started college. Read our article about When Your Child Should Start Applying for Scholarships.We also offer a handy checklist to help your child sc ore more scholarship money. Check it out here.