The sociological foundations of utopian and distopian literature and their critical identity

Literature and sociology are profoundly connected with each other. (There is a deep relationship between literature and sociology). Although it is not possible to claim that a literary work fully reflects the society in which it is created, the literary work is neither totally free from the society it is in nor lacking the power to influence it. The bilateral relationship between literature and society exists in utopian and distopian literature as in all literary genres. In this context, this study discusses the social foundations of the utopian and dystopian literature within the framework of theories of Marx, Durkheim, Weber and Simmel. Furthermore, this study focuses on the critical identity of utopian and dystopian literature. The aim of this work is to unveil the kind of connection utopian and dystopian literature makes with society and thus with sociology. In order to meet the objectives of this study first, the relationship between literature, society and sociology has been emphasized. Secondly, the relationship of utopia and dystopia within framework of above mentioned theorists was examined. Finally, in the context of the works discussed in the study, the approaches of utopia and dystopia, the state, economy and class, family, gender, body and city were analyzed through relevant sociological theories. For this analysis, Becker's theorization in "Describing Society" and Marxist literary theory were used as methods. It is considered that the most remarkable feature of the study is the comparison of the features of classical theorists and utopia and dystopia in general. It is thought that this comparison constitutes the original aspect of the study. KEYWORDS: Utopia, Distopia, Sociology of Literature, Critical Identity