Looking Backward: An Exhibit of Edward Bellamy's Looking Backward

Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy

First published in 1888, Looking Backward is a visionary work Edward Bellamy detailing a Utopian future.  The story comes narrated by Julian West, a Boston man who is put into a deep sleep and awakes in the year 2000, 113 years in the future.  There he is found by Dr Leete, and the novel becomes a long discourse of the two comparing and contrasting West's Boston of 1887 with the Utopian Boston of 2000.


In his New York Times article, author Warren Sloan provides a description of the Utopia in Edward Bellamy's Looking Backward.

"By A.D. 2000 the universal reign of brotherhood has arrived. War has disappeared - and so have advertisements, retail stores, servants, garbage, political parties, public corruption, state governments, lawyers, armies and navies, jails, professional athletes, labor unions, banks and money. Crime, insanity and suicide are rare. Social distinctions have dissolved in a comfortable equality. The state manages all industrial activity and provides jobs for everyone. People retire at the age of 45 and spend the rest of their lives in leisure. Harmony between the sexes has become perfect, everyone is educated and intelligent, public spirit has overcome selfishness. All the people share the wealth equally and want for nothing in a society free of the conflicts that characterized all previous human history." - Warren Sloat

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  1. Overview of this Project

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