Arcadia

Arcadia is named after its primary setting, an idealistic commune in New York. Arcadia is initially envisioned as a utopia in which people can escape the “evils” of American society and live authentically. The term “Arcadia” means a place or scene of simple pleasure and quiet, while “utopia” was popularized by 16th-century writer Thomas More, whose novel Utopia (1516) depicts an island free of religious extremism. However, More’s island still relies on human labor and other resources for construction. Arcadia is framed as a utopia where peace is more important than conformity and consumerism—but like many fictional utopias, it is unrealistic and ultimately destroys itself. Utopian living has captured the imaginations of people across cultures and time. Societies seeking to improve themselves often picture an idyllic future of equality and peace, a perfect world. Likewise, the founding members of Arcadia want to create a society in which everything is perfect. They reject society’s pressures, rules, and capitalistic ethos. They adopt radical autonomy, veganism, free love, lack of individual possession, and lack of hierarchy. However, perfection is an ideal, not a reality. In reality, the values that inform Arcadia become hypocritical, and its residents suffer hunger and poverty. Bit learns there is no such thing as perfection because humans are flawed and likely to harm one another and destroy the planet.

One of the foundational myths of the Judeo-Christian world details a utopia—the Garden of Eden. Before disobeying God, the first humans, Adam and Eve, lived in bliss. In Eden, there was no sickness or death—only joy and peace. Because humans are inherently curious, Eve ate a forbidden fruit and all humans lost utopia. This early image of utopia, of Eden, is still something that people desire. For example, Christian imagery of heaven frames religion as a respite from the struggles of Earth. The Greek philosopher Plato also speculated about utopia: In the Republic, he outlines his ideal state, in which producers, auxiliaries, and soldiers work to uphold a state. This utopia is not equal because he believed only aristocrats can govern the state. Despite Plato’s belief in hierarchy, his ideal state dictates that people accept their roles willingly. In this, utopias are often twisted and used to uphold preexisting hierarchies and power dynamics advertised as ideals. This happens in Arcadia, as Handy amasses influence despite claims of a lack of hierarchy.