Question

In at least 150 words, describe how the American Utopia that Crevecouer describes is just that—a utopia, an imaginary place in which everything is perfect.

Answer 1

Crevecoeur saw America as the solution to everything he did not like in Europe, he had a romantic and utopian view of America as the land where all people are self-reliant, pragmatic, hardworking, who harbor a freedom that Europeans never experience. Crevecoeur believed that America was a land that allowed anyone to run after their goals, because everyone has the chance to have land and not have to pay the nobles for it, which meant that in America each man works only for himself and he lived from his own effort.

Answer 2

A utopia is an imaginary place in which everything is perfect. Society works better, people are healthier, the government is completely fair, there is no war, etc. Utopias, however, are too good to be true, and therefore, are impossible representations of the world. In the case of Crevecouer, his representation of America is an example of a utopia. He believes that America is a land where every person can achieve his or her wildest dreams. Families can be healthy and united, poverty is non-existent and everyone has unlimited opportunities for development. He also believes that everyone in America can own land, and that this can happen without having to ask for permission from the nobles. This image is too perfect to resemble the reality of America, therefore, it classifies as a utopia.