Looking Backward by George Eliot
Looking Backward is a novel by Edward Bellamy that was published in 1888. The story takes place in the year 2000 and follows Julian West, who wakes up from a hypnotic sleep to find himself in a utopian society where poverty and inequality have been eradicated. The book explores themes of socialism, technology, and human nature.
By George Eliot · First published 1872 · Genre: Philosophical Fiction, Historical Fiction, Social Commentary · 5,549 words
First lines
Most of us who have had decent parents would shrink from wishing that our father and mother had been somebody else whom we never knew; yet it is held no impiety, rather, a graceful mark of instruction, for a man to wail that he was not the son of another age and another nation, of which also he knows nothing except through the easy process of an imperfect imagination and a flattering fancy.
What this Textopian page supports
Looking Backward is listed on Textopian as a novel by George Eliot, dated 1872 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: George Eliot
- Date: 1872 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Philosophical Fiction, Historical Fiction, Social Commentary, Literary Fiction, Autobiographical Fiction
- Length: 5,549 words
- Structure: 1 section, 44 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Looking Backward by George Eliot
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- The Blindmans World by Edward Bellamy
- False Civilization by Charles Kingsley
- The Reformers by Rudyard Kipling
- Shadows Of The Coming Race by George Eliot
- The World Without by Rudyard Kipling
- Civilization by George Bernard Shaw
Genres
- Philosophical Fiction — The text explores deep philosophical themes about time, memory, and the human condition.
- Historical Fiction — The narrative reflects on different historical periods and their impact on the present.
- Social Commentary — The work critiques societal norms and the romanticization of the past.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style is sophisticated and focuses on character introspection and thematic depth.
Tags
utopia · socialism · time travel · dystopia · industrialization · class struggle · reform · equality · progress · future · critique · society