Bellamy: Looking Backward on the Puritans and Western Frontier

Résumé du document

Edward Bellamy's Looking Backward is a reflection of man's indictment of 19th century industrial society upon his recent insight into a 20th century new world order. This new world order is the product of social and political evolution. Through its technological advancement, efficiency, rationality, and pragmatism, this utopia reflects the solutions to the evils of capitalism that have plagued mankind throughout the ages. Despite this evolution of human nature, Bellamy's utopia is not only fallacious, but also unattainable based on the premises that 19th century capitalist tendencies are still present in his utopian society; that is, its citizens are still searching for praise and adulation, personal gain, and encounter the trials that accompany scientific progress. Both Puritanism and the American western frontier ideology will provide the criteria in which to analyze Bellamy's 20th century socialist society.

Throughout the novel, Bellamy emphasizes the idea that no one form of work is any more dignified than another type of work. He observes that all vocations make an equal contribution to society. Yet, he still incentives and rewards those who display a unique ability for a certain trade; he rewards them with the freedom to choose their area of specialty. He states, “One of the notable advantages of a high grading is the privilege it gives the worker in electing which of the various branches or processes of his industry he will follow as his specialty” (60). Moreover, if these individuals continue to illustrate traits of excellence they may then be awarded a red ribbon. Only a minority of individuals possesses a red ribbon at any one time and Bellamy notes that, “…every bright young fellow in the country loses innumerable nights' sleep dreaming of it. I even did myself" (80). It earns one the praise and adulation of the people. In this sense, it appears that ribbons have merely replaced the monetary profit that accompanies fame and success in a capitalist society. However, inherent in the desire and ambition of being awarded a red ribbon is self-interest, which is inextricably tied with greed. While this is not Bellamy's intention, such a system resonates strongly with both the Puritan and western frontier ideologies in that it reimburses innovation, ingenuity, and excellence.

Extraits

[...] It earns one the praise and adulation of the people. In this sense, it appears that ribbons have merely replaced the monetary profit that accompanies fame and success in a capitalist society. However, inherent in the desire and ambition of being awarded a red ribbon is self- interest, which is inextricably tied with greed. While this is not Bellamy's intention, such a system resonates strongly with both the Puritan and western frontier ideologies in that it reimburses innovation, ingenuity, and excellence. [...]

[...] Out of the need to adapt to their environment, the Puritans pragmatism prompted them to seek means to alleviate hardship. The motivation to reduce hardship not only resulted in the accumulated wealth of material goods, but also innovative technologies to procure such goods. Bellamy would be at odds with the Puritans individual accumulation of wealth since in his society, wealth is communally shared. His utopia is the epitome of a luxurious and leisurely, pampered society as a result of the ingenuity of the ages, for instance never having to carry an umbrella or wear rain boots (73). [...]

[...] They discovered how to improve the human condition. While Bellamy would commend their social progress, a primary concern of his would be the economic disparities between the rich and the poor as a result. Furthermore, he would argue that these disparities would be neglected since the wealthy are satisfied and the impoverished are inept to incite change. This is one of Bellamy's major critiques of capitalism, that individual success and self-sufficiency can negate concern for the well being of society as a whole. [...]

[...] Namely, he neglects to address the period between one's artistic or scientific development and their compensation for such achievements. This developmental period is the process of trial and error. Furthermore, Bellamy wholeheartedly believes scientific achievement will yield efficiency. Yet, in contradiction, he proceeds to criticize the steps in the scientific process owing it to the inefficiency and wastefulness of capitalism. He highlights this wastefulness by using the example of a shoemaker who might need to make four pairs of shoes before producing the perfect pair (112). [...]

[...] Namely, an individual may be so occupied with working toward novel achievements that he or she would be incapable of working, and thus not contributing during that period of discovery. In terms of financial support, Bellamy suggests that one can obtain a loan if needed; however, that is intended for individuals who are currently working that are short on credit. Thus, it appears Bellamy fails to suggest a solution to the economic contribution, or lack thereof, of a working artist or scientist. [...]