New Atlantis is a short (and incomplete) story written by Francis Bacon. Released in 1626 (tucked unceremoniously into a larger work), it is Bacon's only (known) work of fiction and tells of a mysterious island society.
Opinion on its meaning has shifted through time. Some (such as the first publisher of the work, William Rawley) viewed it as a straightforward piece that praised a society which put science at the forefront. Others (such as scholar Susan Bruce, editor of Three Early Modern Utopias - which includes New Atlantis within it) view it as a cautionary tale about a society that controls knowledge itself.
Characters[]
- narrator
- Joabin
- governor of the House of Strangers
- The Head of Salomon's House
rest to be added
Publisher's summary[]
In New Atlantis, Bacon portrayed a vision of the future of human discovery and knowledge, expressing his aspirations and ideals for humankind.
The novel depicts the creation of a utopian land where "generosity and enlightenment, dignity and splendour, piety and public spirit" are the commonly held qualities of the inhabitants of the mythical Bensalem.
The plan and organisation of his ideal college, Salomon's House (or Solomon's House), envisioned the modern research university in both applied and pure sciences.
New Atlantis is an incomplete utopian novel by Sir Francis Bacon, published posthumously in 1626. It appeared unheralded and tucked into the back of a longer work of natural history: Sylva Sylvarum (forest of materials).
Summary[]
The narrator's ship (travelling to distant lands in Asia) gets lost in the Pacific Ocean and washes ashore on the island of Bensalem off the coast of Peru. The natives of Bensalem quarantine the occupants of the ship (as many of them are ill) and tell the crew that some of them will visit the "Strangers' House" the next day. The narrator, accompanied by five other crewmen, visits the Strangers' House on this day and learns of the quarantine procedures of Bensalem.
The day after the quarantine ends, the narrator and company are visited by the governor of the House of Strangers. The governor tells the strangers of the origins of the Bensalemites' Christian faith before being abruptly called away. The next day, the governor returns and discusses Bensalem's position among the other ancient nations of the world (including Atlantis) and the history of the island.
In the coming days, the sailors "take themselves for free men" and begin exploring the city. Two sailors take part in a ritual known as the Feast of the Family. The narrator meets a Jewish man named Joachim with whom he discusses the marriage rites of Bensalem. A few days later, the narrator is brought into Salomon's House and met by the Head of the House. The Head divulges a large chunk of information about the island - largely about Salomon's House. Once this finishes, the narrative abruptly ends with a note stating that "the rest was not perfected".
Worldbuilding[]
- The island of Bensalem is a Christian nation - having been gifted a copy of the Bible (both Old and New Testaments, even works that "had not been written at that time") by God Himself several hundred years before the visitation of the sailors. The Bible came in a box with a note from the Apostle Bartholomew and was closely followed by a pillar of light.
- Sick visitors are quarantined for three days in the House of Strangers. All visitors to the island of Bensalem are only allowed in its borders for a brief time.
- The original nation of Atlantis was destroyed by Divine Revenge which came in the form of a massive flood (instead of in the earthquake described by Plato). It is said to be near America.
- The Bensalemites scorn the taking of bribes (or "twice payment").
- In the ancient days of the world, the people of Bensalem were visited by ships from Persia, Chaldea, and the Middle East. They are aware of the cultures of China and the ships of Phoenicia, Carthage, Egypt, Palestinia, and Atlantis.
- "Nineteen hundred years" before the events of New Atlantis, a king named Solamona ruled the island of Bensalem. This king created most of the laws of Bensalem and "Salomon's House", the state-sponsored college of the island.
- Salomon barred most voyages, but allowed the people of Bensalem to send two ships into the world every twelve years on knowledge-seeking voyages.
- The Feast of the Family is a ritual in which the "Father of the Family" or the "Tirsan" chooses one of his sons to live with him and become his "Son of the Vine".
- The friends of prospective wives and husbands in Bensalem view the other prospected partner in an "Adam and Eve pool" to discover any deformities.
- Salomon's House has put forth several notable inventions and discoveries - most notably perpetual motion, Greek fire, and submarines.
- Within Salomon's House are several groups who serve to bring the various parts of the scientific method to fruition.
See also[]
| Title | Author | Release date | Signifigance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utopia | Thomas More | 1516 | A similar Utopian work |
| Essayes | Francis Bacon | 1597 | Details many philosophical and religious viewpoints seen in this work |
| The City of the Sun | Tommaso Campanella | 1602 | A similar Utopian work |
Sources[]
- Wikipedia
- Goodreads
- introduction to Three Modern Early Utopias