History: Americans during the late 19th century

                    Bellamy reflects a lot of optimism and utopian thinking as far as the Americans are concerned during the late 19^th century in his book ‘Looking Backwards’. Bellamy exploits a utopian perspective of the Americans, employing social criticism of the social arrangement and tries to figure out how the American society has a difference in terms of its social conditions from that that is usual. Bellamy’s book describes a utopian American society of the future in which he foresees a society that has the common good of all its citizens at heart in its running. The book is basically grounded on a very socialistic approach of the American society. (Bellamy, 13)

The Utopia

                    In his book, Bellamy brings out a 19^th century American society as one experiencing a lot of problems due to the unequal distribution of wealth that is spread throughout the nation. He further asserts the influence of the powerful and mighty individuals who have the control of most of the nation’s money and wealth. However, Bellamy instills optimism that there is going to be social reforms in the new American society. Bellamy further criticizes the wealthy cronies as owning the private capitals and agricultural economy while those working class Americans continue to wallow in poverty.

                    Bellamy openly shows his take on the community’s hopelessness due to the fact that there are a few select people with vast wealth, money and power who he portrays as being heartless. The American society is drawn to be composed of individuals who were selfishly motivated in the 19^th century. Despite the wealthy being selfish, those in the middle working class were also working for selfish and reasons which were wrong according to Bellamy. This was because he thought that Americans were getting their motivation to work basically because they feared poverty instead of seeking to better the society. (Bellamy, 35)

The optimism

                    However, in the wake of this entire utopia, Bellamy has some sense of optimism for the American society. This optimism lies on the fact that the industrial revolution was set to take over. This would demand for individuals who will work out of will to better the society. It was to be a wave that those who would not bow to it would be left behind, swept or fired.

Works cited

 Bellamy, Edward. Looking Backward: From 2000 to 1887. Massachusetts: Applewood Books, 2000 - Fiction