The State of Women in Utopian Society.
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 on women in choosing a craft is practical as opposed to idealistic. The women are physically weaker, so naturally they would not be expected to perform excessively strenuous labor. Raphael even points out the advantages of women being looked at as equals in the various trades in Utopia. The Utopians are only required to work six-hour days. Raphael is aware that his audience would find a six-hour workday very difficult to imagine. This idea is probably just as foreign as men and women sharing labor. Raphael compares the Utopian practices involving occupations with those of other societies. He does so by saying,.
"This phenomenon you too will understand if you consider.
how large populations in other countries exists without.