essay

Imagine a lush, green, isolated world of its own, with no hatred for people nor depression, a wondrous community filled with joyful and disciplined members who enjoy life as it is. Constant hassles and quarrels are uncommon, and they all aspired to reach a certain goal, establishing the perfect utopia to live in. Sounds like heaven, does it not? Throughout the 1700’s and1800’s, many utopias embedded their rightful place in utopian history. Utopias like the Brook Farm and the Fruitlands established a community, but failed in designing right guidelines for their members to live by. For example, Brook Farm relied on young people to do their dirty work, and the Fruitland community required its members to establish a strict vegan diet which caused severe ramifications to individual health. In contrast, the basic principles of the Shakers made them the most desirable and successful society to live in at their time. The Shaker Community had certain ideas such as their practice of confessing sins, their ideas of common ownership, and their enthusiasm to work and be a part of a magnificent community, which ultimately, made them the most desirable community to live in.

The once dominating Shakers practiced and enforced many laws which benefited their community greatly. Some might argue that one of the Shaker laws, such as their practice of adopting children instead of creating them, held them back and weakened their inspirational community. Although this might seem as a setback, this can also be seen as an opportunity to give the unprosperous, underprivileged, and unfortunate children shelter and nourishment. In America at that time, so many kids were deprived of their parents and their good fortune. Therefore, if the Shaker communi...

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...rable is now! Without a doubt, the Shaker community surpasses the other utopias at its time for many crucial reasons. Some of which include their idea of common ownership and their practice of confessing sins. And most importantly, the quality of devotion which all members inherited strengthened this advanced society. Throughout the many years of its existence, the Shaker community has gained success because of these splendid laws/guidelines which all Shakers enforced and abided by. As a result of their success and dedication, the Shaker community will be remembered and cherished forever. For sure, this society is much more remarkable than all the other “utopias” in the 1700’s and 1800’s. Certainly, it is prudent to say that the Shaker community exceeds all the other societies in existence, and by far, is the perfect place to live in, a marvelous and unique utopia.