Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 by Edward Bellamy. Summary of the book.

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Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 by Edward Bellamy

Summary of the Book

Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 is a utopian novel written by Edward Bellamy in 1888. It tells the story of Julian West, a young man who falls into a deep sleep in 1887 and wakes up 113 years later, in the year 2000. In this future utopia, class distinctions and poverty have been eliminated, and society is based on the principles of cooperation and the common good.

Julian is amazed by the changes in society, which are based on the principles of socialism and mutualism. People work according to their capabilities and receive according to their needs. Everyone is provided with a home, food, and clothing, and all citizens are equal in terms of social status and political rights. Money is abolished and replaced by a system of credits.

The novel has been praised for its progressive and idealistic views of the future, and for its critique of the inequalities of 19th-century America. It has served as an inspiration for many later utopian works and has had a major impact on the development of science fiction and socialist literature.

Curiosities and Interesting Facts

  • The novel was a bestseller. It was the third best-selling book of its time, behind Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Ben-Hur.
  • It was adapted into a musical. In 1992, the musical version of Looking Backward ran for eight weeks on Broadway.
  • It was an influence on Marx and Engels. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels both read and admired the book, and its ideas were a major influence on their own works.
  • It predicted modern technology. The book predicted many modern technologies, such as air travel, television, and the internet.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • What is the plot of Looking Backward? The plot of Looking Backward is centered around Julian West, a young man who falls into a deep sleep in 1887 and wakes up 113 years later, in the year 2000. In this future utopia, class distinctions and poverty have been eliminated, and society is based on the principles of cooperation and the common good.
  • Who wrote Looking Backward? The book was written by Edward Bellamy in 1888.
  • What is the main theme of Looking Backward? The main theme of the book is the possibility of creating a better society based on the principles of socialism and mutualism. It critiques the inequalities of 19th-century America and serves as an inspiration for many later utopian works.
  • What technologies did the book predict? The book predicted many modern technologies, such as air travel, television, and the internet.

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