Tuhatvuotinen valtakunta

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

76543

Title

Tuhatvuotinen valtakunta

Language

fi

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in the year 3000, this satirical play imagines a world where capitalism has collapsed, leaving the wealthy elite destitute and the working class in charge. Based on Upton Sinclair's novel, Heikki Välisalmi's adaptation explores themes of class struggle, the absurdity of power, and the necessity of labor and cooperation for a new, equitable society.

Summary up to 500 words

Set in the year 3000, *Tuhatvuotinen valtakunta* (The Thousand-Year Kingdom) by Heikki Välisalmi, based on Upton Sinclair's novel, depicts a world radically transformed after the collapse of capitalism. The wealthy elite, including the once-omnipotent Lumley-Gotham family and the cynical Secretary of State Granville, find themselves stripped of their fortunes and forced to work alongside the working class. The narrative follows Billy Kingdon, a pilot who rescues his lover Helena from her oppressive husband, leading a group of former aristocrats into a new life of simplicity and equality. The play satirizes the pretensions of the upper class, contrasting the opulence of the past with the humble realities of the present. Former servants like Tuttle and Reginald rise to positions of authority, while the former masters struggle to adapt to manual labor. As the characters navigate this new existence, they confront the harsh realities of survival without wealth, learning to cook, clean, and work. The story culminates in a reconciliation where former enemies acknowledge their shared humanity and the futility of old power dynamics. A significant subplot involves the fate of the last capitalists, Tuttle and Granville. After the revolution, they retreat to a hotel, where they eventually starve to death due to their inability to work and their mutual hostility over resources. Their demise symbolizes the end of the exploitative system. Meanwhile, the remaining characters, including the former mistress Mrs. Lumley-Gotham and the Archbishop of Harlem, embrace the new social contract. They reject class distinctions, with the Archbishop offering to serve as a civil registrar and the former mistress joining the labor movement. The work concludes with a celebration of this new world, where everyone contributes to the common good. Through humor and poignant moments, the play critiques inherent capitalist inequalities and advocates for a society built on mutual respect, shared responsibility, and the abolition of private property. The cycle of exploitation is finally broken, giving rise to the 'Thousand-Year Kingdom,' a utopia where the young generation is free from the vices of the old world.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Religion
• Drama
• Science Fiction
• Utopia