A Thin Layer Of Fiction Are Looking Backward By Edward...

Throughout the years, literature has often been used as a means to spread social critique. When it unfavorable or even dangerous to publicly speak out against the society of the time, the written word can act as a shield. Adding a mask of fiction to these novels allows the author to get their message out to the public who otherwise would not take the time for such issues. Two novels that exemplify this social critique behind a thin layer of fiction are Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy and Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Both of these novels offer a critique to certain aspects of American society during the time period, and do so in very similar ways. Each of these novels, Looking Backward and Herland, depict utopian societies in order to fully illustrate the issues that the authors see in their current society. Although the issues being addressed may be different, the way Bellamy and Gilman discuss them contain numerous parallels. Ranging from the cause of these utopian soci eties, to the mindset of the individuals living in them, both novels are very similar in their approach to social critique of America. Even the differences between the two are caused by common reasons. These parallels show the underlying format used by both Bellamy and Gilman that allowed them to identify the flaws in American society and offer solutions to them. One such parallel found within the novels is the cause of the utopian societies. Both Looking Backward and Herland depict communities