Utopias and the Millennium (Reaktion Books - Critical Views)

The essays in this book explore the relationship between utopianism and millennialism. As we approach our own millennium this timely reflection of political and literary utopias covers figures as diverse as Robin Crusoe and William Burroughs. Utopia has always had a close, though ambivalent, relationship with millennialism. This relationship was probably at its most intense in England at the time of the Civil War; even when utopia aspired to secularism – as at the time of the French Revolution, or in nineteenth-century socialism – it continued to turn to millennial forms to recharge its energies. The essays in this book explore aspects of this relationship; some consider their role in the debate concerning human perfectibility, while others examine the rise of secularism. Further contributions reflect upon the apparent failure of the modern Communist utopia, note the recent reappearance of apocalyptic themes in fiction and social theory, or draw on the contributions of feminism and ecology. As our century ends, it seems that utopia and the millennium are once more locked in an uneasy embrace. With essays by Louis Marin, J. C. Davis, Louis James, Gregory Claeys, Krishan Kumar, Vita Fortunati, David Ayers, Jan Relf and John O'Neill. Imprint page......Page 6 Contents......Page 7 Notes on the Editors and Contributors......Page 9 Introduction......Page 13 1: The Frontiers of Utopia......Page 19 2: Formal Utopia / Informal Millennium: The Struggle between Form and Substance as a Context for Seventeenth-century Utopianism......Page 29 3: From Robinson to Robina, and Beyond: Robinson Crusoe as a Utopian Concept......Page 45 4: Utopianism, Property, and the French Revolution Debate in Britain......Page 58 5: The End of Socialism? The End of Utopia? The End of History?......Page 75 6: The Metamorphosis of the Apocalyptic Myth: From Utopia to Science Fiction......Page 93 7: 'Politics Here is Death': William Burroughs's Cities of the Red Night......Page 102 8: Utopia the Good Breast: Coming Home to Mother......Page 119 9: McTopia: Eating Time......Page 141 References......Page 150 Select Bibliography......Page 169 Index......Page 173 Introduction / Stephen Bann -- 1. The Frontiers Of Utopia / Louis Marin -- 2. Formal Utopia/informal Millennium: The Struggle Between Form And Substance As A Context For Seventeenth-century Utopianism / J.c. Davis -- 3. From Robinson To Robina, And Beyond: Robinson Crusoe As A Utopian Concept / Louis James -- 4. Utopianism, Property, And The French Revolution Debate In Britain / Gregory Claeys -- 5. The End Of Socialism? The End Of Utopia? The End Of History? / Krishan Kumar -- 6. The Metamorphosis Of The Apocalyptic Myth: From Utopia To Science Fiction / Vita Fortunati -- 7. 'politics Here Is Death': William Burroughs's Cities Of The Red Night / David Ayers -- 8. Utopia The Good Breast: Coming Home To Mother / Jan Relf -- 9. Mctopia: Eating Time / John O'neill. Edited By Krishan Kumar And Stephen Bann. Includes Biliographical References (p. [157]-159) And Index.