Thomas Moore Utopia How Equal for Women?

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

Several parallels can be drawn between the structure and protocol of Utopian religion and the Roman Catholic Church. The Utopian priests are treated with a certain reverence and their numbers are limited. There is also a high priest that controls which priests are appointed to which churches (139). This administrative aspect of the Utopians’ religion is similar to Catholicism with its own high priest, the pope.

The egalitarian principles of secular Utopian society do not seem to carry over into the religious life. While in secular society the women of Utopia hold a position that is basically equal, one religious festival requires that women prostrate themselves at their husbands’ feet. The women ask their husbands to forgive any wrongs they might have committed (143). This religion of the Utopians is formulated in such a way that it implicitly holds men as more religiously pure. There does not seem to be any way to reconcile these differences in the status of Utopian women as secularly equal but religiously inferior. Raphael does mention that women are sometimes elected as priests, but he admits this is a rare occurrence (140). Even Thomas More, the author, seems delivered astray by the underlying influence of sixteenth century Europe. Perhaps this paradox can be explained through Thomas More’s own Catholic faith.

turn, of their own piety towards God and their duty towards

constitute half the whole … “ (71)

coverings that it may quite alienate a man’s mind from his

The form that worship takes among the Utopians is particularly similar to Catholicism. This similarity is most noticeable in the symbolism present during meetings of religious worship. Raphael describes the attire of the priests presiding over the religious gatherings of the Utopians. The vestments of the priests are thriftily decorated with great care,

Raphael gives even more evidence of women having more rights and powers than any European society. Both men and women are harshly punished for sexual intercourse outside of a marriage. All of the shame of this action is not the burden of the woman alone. The men are also held accountable for this action (109). In discussing how marriages are arranged in Utopian society, Raphael warns that the protocol observed by the Utopians might be “condemned” as “foolish” by outsiders. The potential bride and groom are presented to each other naked. It is in this passage that the idea that women are somehow inferior to men spiri

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