"Every daring attempt to make a great change in existing conditions, every lofty vision of new possibilities for the human race, has been labeled Utopian." - Emma Goldman

Every individual has their own idea about the meaning of a utopia. Emma Goldman, an American International anarchist, believed that the definition of utopia is wanting what is just out of reach. Most sailors believe that a utopia is being on the sea with just the right breeze. For some skiers, their utopia is on a mountain with a fresh coat of snow. Finally, some monks believe it is anywhere in the world with the perfect amount of silence. Utopia is not one set spot or location in the world. It is not just one set state of mind. It varies from society to society and from person to person. Utopia is an individual’s state of mind where he/she is mentally or physically in a place of his/her own perfection.

Complete satisfaction and happiness is vital to one’s utopia. No errors in their environment or mind state exist. They are in a place where they can be themselves and be genuinely content. In most cases, this is in a serene place. It is where someone can feel at peace. They are at peace from their problems and everyday activities and obligations. It is tranquil and soothing. For others, the physical place of where they are does not matter, but only about the people who they are with. They want to be around the people they love and have intimate relationships with. Generally, utter fulfillment and pleasure is gained by that person from being in their own utopia.

When looking in the Merriam Webster dictionary, one of the definitions for utopia is “an imaginary and indefinitely remote place.” This does not always have to be the case. A utopia does not have to be remote or secluded. Some people’s ideal place of happiness is in the heart of New York City. They enjoy the energy and life of being on the busy streets. For others, their utopia could be on a tropical beach, but the beach does not have to be remote as one of its characteristics to be a utopia; it all just depends on the individual person. Some people are in their own special ideal place when they are anywhere in the world, as long as they are listening to “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns’ N’ Roses. This supports the fact that utopia can be a state of mind, instead of a location. Personally, my own utopia is in my room in Philadelphia. I love lying down in my own bed, while I can daydream about anything and fall in and out of sleep. I do not have to be in any mood to do this; it is something that I just love being a part of even though I am by myself. It is a personal choice that probably is not the same for any one else in the world. No particular environment or scenario is required for a utopia. A utopia does not have any concrete characteristics.

Finally, the term utopia is described as “to be impractical or impossibly visionary” by Encyclopedia.com. To me, utopia is something real. It cannot be an impossible place or something unreal. What makes that a utopia then? Wouldn’t that be a dream, fantasy, or wish? What is the difference between these two ideas? The difference is that a utopia is real and a wish is not. It is possible for someone to find their utopia, only if they look hard enough. The term and idea of a utopia has more boundaries than that of a fantasy. A fantasy is an unrealistic dream or hallucination that would make you completely overjoyed. On the other hand, a utopia exists for every person somewhere in the world. It is not a fictional illusion. Similar to a fantasy, a utopia brings happiness, but it does so in reality.

A utopia is a complex term that provides joy to everyone. Along with bringing satisfaction and content to each individual, this place or mind state has many characteristics that can vary with every person in the world. There are no solid details or requirements for such a place. It comes into existence because of each person’s backgrounds and experiences. In addition, a utopia is always unique according to the interests and personality of the person involved. Finally, this place or mental condition is real. It is not a vision or a dream. A utopia is an ideal place and exists somewhere for everyone.

1551 (title), A fruteful and pleasaunt Worke of the beste state of a publyque weale, and of the newe yle called Utopia; written in Latine by Syr Thomas More knyght [publ. 1516], and translated into Englyshe by Raphe Robynson. 1570 FOXE Bk. Martyrs (ed. 2) 1156/2, I do not..thinke, that..there is any such fourth place of Purgatory at all (vnles it be in M. Mores Vtopia). 1607 A. BREWER Lingua II. vi, I remember in the Country of Utopia, they use no other kind of artillery. 1625 BACON Ess., Usury (Arb.) 544 So as that Opinion must be sent to Vtopia. 1685 CROWNE Sir C. Nice I. Dram. Wks. 1874 III. 270 He will find it is a dream fit for nothing but Utopia. 1692 BENTLEY Boyle Lect. 66 Once upon a time,..in the land of Utopia, there was a dialogue between an oak and a cedar. 1725 [MRS. E. HAYWOOD] (title), Memoirs of a certain Island adjacent to the Kingdom of Utopia. 1751 J. BROWN Shaftesb. Charac. 65 But of this infallible race I know none, except the inhabitants of Utopia. 1818 see CACOTOPIA. 1837 MACAULAY Ess., Lord Bacon (1897) 402 An acre in Middlesex is better than a principality in Utopia. 1895 LUPTON More's Utopia 115 Plate, Reduced facsimile of the woodcut of the Island of Utopia.
transf. 1802-12 BENTHAM Ration. Judic. Evid. Wks. 1843 VI. 206 The law is an Utopia{em}a country that receives no visits, but [etc.].

1610 TH. THORPE Healey's St. Augustine's City of God Ded., Then in translating Hall's Mundus Alter et Idem, he treated of a deuised Country scarse on earth, now of a desired Citie sure in heauen; then of Vtopia, now of Eutopia. 1646 SIR T. BROWNE Pseud. Ep. III. xii. 132 Some say it liveth in Æthiopia, others in Arabia, some..in Utopia, for such must that be which is described by Lactantius. 1684 J. P. tr. J. Ludolphus' Hist. Ethiopia (ed. 2) 46 Ignorant where this River rises,..whether in Asia, in Africa, or in Utopia. a1779 WARBURTON Div. Legat. II. §4 Wks. 1788 I. 206 A fabulous relation of a voyage to the imaginary island of Panchæa, a kind of ancient Utopia.

1613 PURCHAS Pilgrimage (1614) 708 The reports of this his voyage savour more of an Vtopia, and Plato's Commonwealth, then of true Historie. 1642 CHAS. I in Rushw. Hist. Coll. (1692) I. 727 That new Vtopia of Religion and Government into which they endeavour to transform this Kingdom. 1691 NORRIS Pract. Disc. 177 To contemplate all this not..as an uncertain Reversion, or imaginary Vtopia, but as a state that will shortly and certainly be. 1738 WARBURTON Div. Legat. I. 272 No romantic impracticable Utopia. 1760-72 H. BROOKE Fool of Qual. (1792) II. 113 But the law-suits..will not permit me to go in search of my Utopia. 1818 SHELLEY Julian 179 ‘Aye, if we were not weak{em}and we aspire How vainly to be strong!’ said Maddalo: ‘You talk Utopia.’ 1871 MORLEY Condorcet in Crit. Misc. Ser. I. 78 To find adequate gratification in the artificial construction of hypothetical utopias. 1883 Manch. Exam. 22 Nov. 5/2 Ingenious speculators who hope to reach Utopia by the nationalisation of the land.

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