Naslov
Better Worlds and Mark Twain's Submarines: Utopian Literature as a Stimulus for Social Engagement

Autori
Maskalan, Ana

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Poglavlja u knjigama, znanstveni

Knjiga
Narrative Art, Knowledge and Ethics

Urednik/ci
Iris Vidmar Jovanović

Izdavač
Filozofski fakultet Sveučilišta u Rijeci

Grad
Rijeka

Godina
2019

Raspon stranica
109-122

ISBN
978-953-7975-92-0

Ključne riječi
literary utopias ; social engagement ; social change ; utopian seductiveness ; utopian feasibility ; utopian criticality ; utopian democracy of authorship

Sažetak
In this paper, I discuss features of literary utopias that make them socially engaging. Understanding social engagement as a form of transcending the existent and creating a better life, a better society and a better world, in the first part of the paper I argue that contemporary social rejection of utopias is not primarily a consequence of their naivety or inconclusiveness but their promise and incitement of social change. There are four attributes that, I believe, can explain engaging capacities of literary utopias – feasibility, criticality, democracy of authorship and seductiveness. In the second part, I will describe and contextualize each one of them. Seductiveness of literary utopias lies in their ability to immerse readers into their imaginary worlds, describing life as it could and should be. Utopian feasibility reminds utopian readers of their responsibility for creating a better (or worse) world and future. Utopian criticality represents an articulation of awareness and attitude towards the real world. Utopian democracy of authorship refers to the opening up a space for different voices, different experiences and different visions. I will conclude on the dangers of giving up utopia not just for the fate of utopian literature and utopian thinking in general but the fate of social change as well.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Filozofija

POVEZANOST RADA