Instant Access To 100,000+ Essays!

The State of Women in Utopian Society The ideal society that Thomas More created in Utopia initially appears to be founded upon egalitarian principles. The egalitarianism of Utopian society even extends to issues of gender. However, gender equality in Utopia is largely secular; the religion of the society seems to hold men more spiritually pure. Although the women of Utopia hold more rights and power than any society in existence, true gender equality does not exist even in this ideal world. When Raphael describes the occupations of the Utopians to the fictional More, he stresses the fact that women have just as many opportunities as men. Raphael says, “agriculture is the one pursuit which is common to all, both men and women, without exception.” (68) Raphael makes sure the fictional More understands that when he says “common to all” he is including men and women. He repeats this fact twice, further stressing its importance in Utopian society. Raphael continues to point out the equality of women and men when he tells the fictional More about the various crafts practiced in Utopia. Raphael explains that “each person, and not the men only, but the women too” learn a useful craft. The only limitation placed o