The basic question in the Utopia may be said to be that of
poverty and wealth. Other and related factors, however, are
constantly intruding themselves into the limelight for the simple
reason that life is not departmentalized in Utopia but is all of
a piece. For example, Utopian philosophy and education influ-
ence and reinforce the economic and social system of commu-
nism. In like manner religion is most important if the last place
in Hythloday's description is to be viewed as climactic and if
worship is to be considered a function of the state, especially
the communistic state.

The following pages, it is modestly assumed, produce addi-
tional evidence, throw more light, modify present interpre-
tations, and draw new conclusions on intriguing but vexing
problems. On his part, the author confesses that he has found
many religious and moral sentiments in the Utopia perplex-
ing, even irritating. He now feels that he has explained them
(although not solved them finally) as satisfactorily as present
knowledge and scholarship permit. He hopes that others, too,
may reach through this book an increase of understanding of
the pertinent sections in the Utopia.

A mass of material not ordinarily accessible has been made
available, but the results of previous studies have been included
wherever necessary to give a complete picture. For the book was
written to interest both the professional scholar and the serious
reader who likes Thomas More as a person or admires his
Utopia as a masterpiece.

The style is intended to possess succinctness and clarity
rather than copiousness and elegance. This restriction is de-
manded, not only by limitations of space coupled with abun-
dance of material, but also by the approach, which is that of
detailed commentary. Hence the presentation may appear slow
and plodding as it keeps leisurely pace with interpretation and
elucidation of word, clause, and sentence. But the mode of ex-
pression is appropriate to subject and purpose.

-viii-