Imagine a world where everything is pristine, where crime is non-existent, everyone has enough to eat, and everyone is happy. Sounds like a utopia, doesn’t it? It’s an idea that has persisted in fiction for centuries, even if creative minds sometimes prefer to play in worlds where things are less than perfect. But even a perfect place can have its cracks. So what is a utopia and how can you identify one? We’ll go over that, including the history of the term and some notable examples in fiction.
Define Utopia
The Definition of ‘Utopia’
Utopia is a fairly easy word to define; one often knows what you’re talking about if you mention ‘utopia’ or that something is a utopia. At the same time, it never hurts to get into the specifics, or even the history, of such a popular word.
UTOPIA DEFINITION
What is a utopia?
A utopia is a place and/or society where everything is perfect or near-perfect. In a utopian setting, there are no wars, crime, disease, famine, or any of the problems seen in the real world. Utopias are often seen as clean, pristine, and wonderful for all involved, even if not everything is as perfect as it looks.
Characteristics of a Utopia:
- An idyllic and perfect society.
- No war, crime, disease, famine, etc.
- Not actually being perfect or being perfect but at a cost.
The word “utopia” comes from the novel of the same name: Utopia, written by Sir Thomas Moore, published in 1516. It was written in Latin and focuses on a country in the then New World (now the Americas). Seen as a political satire, the etymology of “utopia” (derived from Greek) means that it literally translates into “not place” or “nowhere.” It can then be interpreted that Moore, in naming this fictional society “nowhere”, meant to emphasize that no such “utopia” could actually exist.
What does Utopia mean • utopia meaning
Being a book from the 16th century, only the most basic ideas of a utopia have transferred over time. Additionally, not all utopias are alike, though they do tend to have the same idea of being “perfect” (or someone’s idea of perfection). So reading Moore’s original book might not read as the type of utopia we picture today, though the basic idea–a place better put together than the reality we all live in–remains.
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Utopia Examples
Utopia Examples in Film and TV
You’re often more likely to come across dystopias in movies and television, but that’s not to say there are no utopias. In fact, by using a utopia, the film or show in question can demonstrate how it is either imperfect or actually a dystopia in disguise.
Logan’s Run (1976) is an interesting example of a utopia because all the characters exist to just pursue hedonistic pleasure. On the surface, everything is great, but no one questions the underlying problem at hand: everyone dies at age 30. It’s a great example of “dystopia as utopia” as well as maintaining a society as a utopia by any means necessary.
What is a Utopia • utopia setting in Logan’s Run
Minority Report (2002) (one of the best cyberpunk movies) is another example of “by any means necessary” to maintain things as they are. While the general world of the film could be seen as neither utopic or dystopic, the film’s Washington, D.C., where crime has been all but eliminated, can be seen as a utopia. But of course, this comes at a price and at the restriction (if not total elimination) of free will.
What is a Utopia • utopia characteristics in Minority Report
A more straight example of a utopia would probably be the one we see in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989) and Bogus Journey (1991). We see more of it in the sequel, but essentially everything is perfect and there are no problems of any kind, though not everyone is happy about it. Even in a perfect world, some people can still find a way to be unhappy, which is something that is talked about by Agent Smith in The Matrix (1999) at the beginning of the clip below.
What is a Utopia • The Matrix
A more recent example of a utopia can be seen in Barbie (2023), which features a matriarchal utopia in Barbieland. Things are generally great for all involved, but it comes at the society’s total indifference of the Kens in favor of the Barbies. Even if everyone seems happy, there is always a chance what’s going on above the surface is not actually so idyllic (or healthy).
What is a Utopia • types of utopias in Barbie
One of the most notable utopias in fiction comes from both film and TV: Star Trek and its United Federation of Planets. As ideal as the Federation is, it should be remembered that it exists in a world where space exploration is commonplace. This means that things like war, disease, and famine can still be found in the world of Star Trek when we venture outside of the Federation.
What is a Utopia • Star Trek
As you can see, a utopia can look many different ways, and then some. So if you want to spot it in fiction, or create your own, think of the essential elements that make up a utopia and then see how it functions as its own unique society. From there, you can decide just how utopic this utopia really is.
Up Next
What is Dystopian Fiction?
Utopias are fun and all, but now is your chance to get sad and bummed by learning more about dystopian fiction. We cover the definition of a dystopia along with strong examples that show off the different ways things can go so wrong in a society.
Up Next: What is Dystopian Fiction →
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