The Story of Utopias · Character

Robert Owen

Welsh mill-owner turned reformer who tried to build the good society in factories and villages rather than in books.

supporting

Also known as Owen

As a supporting figure in The Story of Utopias, Robert Owen is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Owen's common halls are mentioned as a later parallel to Utopian communal dining, though with a different atmosphere.

In the storyVIIOpen this moment free

Robert Owen appears in The Story of Utopias as supporting figure.

Robert Owen first appears in 0003 the story of utopias.

In VII: Owen's common halls are mentioned as a later parallel to Utopian communal dining, though with a different atmosphere.

Later, in The Eighteenth Century: Industrialism and the Birth of Modern Utopias: Owen's cooperative communities are presented as a utopian solution to industrial-era problems.

See Robert Owen in VII Book page

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Character Web

10 connections

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Diverse Utopian Thinkers

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Story tension across the book.

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Closing

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In the story

Robert Owen appears across 9 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

VII
The Eighteenth Century: Industrialism and the Birth of Modern Utopias
II
V
VI
I
II
III
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VII
Owen's common halls are mentioned as a later parallel to Utopian communal dining, though with a different atmosphere.
The Eighteenth Century: Industrialism and the Birth of Modern Utopias
Owen's cooperative communities are presented as a utopian solution to industrial-era problems.
II
Referenced for his 'Essay on the Formation of Character' which depicts the brutal conditions in a model factory during the early industrial age.
V
Mentioned as a noble figure with good intentions and organizing ability, but his projects are more like poor colonies than productive human societies; his essays on love and marriage are praised.
VI
Mentioned as a parallel figure who also had practical industrial and commercial experience.
I
Inspired Cabet's colonization attempt in Missouri.
II
Owen's utopian socialism is described as partly fulfilled in the cooperative movement but ultimately ineffective.
III
Critiqued as a living example of the need for personal discipline; his bumptiousness and arrogance frustrated his own good ideas.
Bibliography
Given short shrift but noted as an interesting and significant figure.

Chapter companion notes

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See Robert Owen in the story of utopias

See Robert Owen in VII