Utopia

Information:

The Utopia was a transatlantic British steamer that mainly carried Italian immigrants to New York City. It was built in 1874 and sank in 1891 after the collision with another British ship in the Bay of Gibraltar.

In “Autres Temps”:

Within Edith Wharton´s short story “Autres Temps” the name “Utopia” symbolizes the illusion of a changed and more liberal, “new” New York City, which turns out to apply only for a part of society, especially for the younger generation. For Mrs. Lidcote, however, the absolution of her societal indiscretions remains an utopia.

Further information:

· newspaper article about the sinking of the Utopia:

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F50B12F7345F10738DDDA00994DB405B8185F0D3

· about the Utopia:

http://gibraltar-intro.blogspot.de/2013/02/1891-utopia-hand-inside-sea-bream-juan.html

Sources:

· Kornetta, Reiner (1996): Das Korsett im Kopf: Ehe und Ökonomie in den Kurzgeschichten Edith

Whartons. Peter Lang – Europäischer Verlag der Wissenschaften: Frankfurt am Main.

· Picture : The sinking of the Utopia. Sketch by a witness, Ms. Georgina Smith

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/81/Sinking_of_SS_Utopia_1891.jpg (retrieved

12/20/2013)

· http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?173476 (retrieved 12/20/2013)

· http://gibraltar-intro.blogspot.de/2013/02/1891-utopia-hand-inside-sea-bream-juan.html (retrieved

12/20/2013)

The sinking of the Utopia. Sketch by a witness, Ms. Georgina Smith