Book 2

Geography of Utopia

The fact that Utopus turned this mainland barbarian inhabited wilderness is a wonder upon itself. It was ingenious to dig the canal and make it into and island because this along with the coast has seemed to keep away attackers. It was also a smart move on his part to include his own workers with those he more or less enslaved to build the canal. This would quench most thoughts of revolt by the inhabitants because it makes it seem more like they are working together to build a better home.

Of Their Towns

The first paragraph rather let me down in description of the towns. It says who that knows one knows them all. This would seem rather boring because there would be no point in going anywhere if the journey is going to take you to the same place you just left. What is curious to me also is that one of the themes in the last book was that we shouldnt have trained soldiers in times of peace and they dont seem like they have been attacked before yet the town is within a high thick wall with towers and forts occupying many spaces. Then as if to cancel these out within the walls and and towers lie huge gardens that they cultivate with extrme care. This rather reminds me of a monastery.

Magistrates

The whole higharchy of the the elections and sects seem extremely complicated in this system yet in its complexity it does seem to emaphasize perfection. Everyones voice is heard one way or another but they are still able to retain anonymity so that what they have to say they can say in complete confidence of their own opinion. They cant be scared or pressured into making decisions they do not wish to make.

Trades and Manner of Life

Their manner of life and trades comes at a slight bother to me. It seems that nobody is really free to choose what they going to do with their life. It is expected for sons to follow and take after the work of their fathers. While this is good for some it reminds me to much of the class system of the medival times which did not exactly end on the best of terms.

Traffic

Their population laws seem somewhat harsh. Although they do not kill people the growth extends ot much they do just send them away. This would be extrememly hard to deal with if all the sudden you were just told there are to many people in your family or group so you have to be the one to leave.

Traveling

The fact that you need permission to travel seems absolutely ridiculous to me. Although as I expressed earlier the point to travel is somewhat decreased as all of the cities are exactly the same apparently so I guess since not many people travel it would not be that big of a deal in the long run.