In the period between the two World Wars, there was a strong fascination and reliance on technology. It was during this time that Aldous Huxley's Brave New World (1932) was published. Positioned as a dystopian glimpse into the future, the novel explores the potential consequences of a world blindly embracing mass-adopted technology.
Upon its release, the novel sparked controversy and faced immediate censorship due to its themes of promiscuity, drug use, genetic engineering, and a pessimistic outlook on the future. In fact, it remains on some banned lists to this day. Additionally, Huxley faced allegations of plagiarism as the novel shares similarities with Yevgeny Zamyatin's My (1920).
Despite the objections and criticism, Brave New World is considered a groundbreaking work in the Dystopian Science Fiction genre and remains Huxley's most widely read novel. The themes he presented in the 1930s are just as relevant today.
Dystopian Science Fiction portrays gloomy versions of possible future societies, often delving into the relationship between society and power, science, and technology. Other notable works include George Orwell's 1984 (1949). In Brave New World, Huxley paints a cynical picture of a world in AF 632 (After Ford), where efficiency, science, consumerism, and technology decide everything. This society is named after Henry Ford, the inventor of mass production and the modern automobile, who is revered by the population.
The setting is split between London and New Mexico, where the World State holds dominion. Here, the population is genetically engineered and conditioned from birth to fit into a rigid social and professional class system. Each caste is designated a letter of the Greek alphabet, with the Alphas at the top as leaders and the Epsilons as manual laborers at the bottom.
To maintain control and ensure universal happiness, individuality is suppressed through psychological conditioning. The use of a happiness-inducing drug called soma keeps adults content, while promiscuity is encouraged over long-term relationships and families. Literature and history are banned and replaced with mindless entertainment, such as "Obstacle Golf" and the 'Feelies', an interactive sensory film experience.
This suppression of individuality and control over society is clearly stated by Mustapha Mond, one of the leaders in Brave New World, who declares, "History is bunk." (Chapter 3)
The clash between two distinct worlds is at the center of the novel's plot, with the protagonists, Bernard Marx and John, at the forefront. Bernard is a rebellious Alpha-plus who does not fit into the strict class system, while John is a natural-born "savage" from outside the controlled society. Through their experiences, the novel reveals the repercussions of each society's beliefs and lifestyles.
Do you believe that both worlds, represented by Bernard and John, have both positive and negative aspects? If so, what are they?
Huxley's novel delves into a range of themes that continue to be relevant in modern times. From genetic engineering and pharmaceuticals to consumerism, many of the issues depicted in Brave New World are now a part of our reality.
The scientific advancements portrayed in the novel, such as cloning and genetically modified food, are no longer just imaginative possibilities. What are your thoughts on these types of scientific developments?
In this future world, science reigns supreme and governs all aspects of human existence, including emotions, thoughts, and physicality. This terrifying reality is depicted in Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, where technology plays a crucial role in shaping and controlling society from birth, with embryos being conditioned to create a strictly structured society based on intelligence and physical traits. In this dystopian world, traditional families are non-existent, as children are raised by the World State and molded to become compliant and content citizens.
In the world of Brave New World, human functions are artificially controlled and replaced with mandatory techniques, such as the ‘Violent Passion Surrogate’ and ‘Pregnancy Substitute’, to suppress emotions and natural childbirth.
The society in Brave New World is shaped by the interplay of science and technology, from the use of 'Feelies' for entertainment to the Hatchery where embryos are artificially developed. However, the role of science and technology raises the question – are they tools for control or betterment? Can they coexist or are they mutually exclusive?
In Brave New World, individuality is deemed a threat to a unified and content society by the World State. From the embryonic stage, individuals are genetically engineered to be biologically identical through 'Bokanovsky’s Process'. The suppression of individuality continues with slogans promoting community over the individual, and Solidarity Services reinforce the idea of a collective society. Those who deviate from this norm are exiled to live on the islands.
The novel presents a nuanced perspective on the role of individuality within society. The protagonist, John, actively chooses to assert his individuality despite the consequences, while another character, Bernhard, has no choice as his individuality is a result of a flaw in his conditioning. This raises questions about the balance between individualism and the greater good, in the face of a controlling ruling power like the World State.
What is your opinion on the importance of individuality within society and communities? Do you believe in preserving individuality or prioritizing the collective good?
The two main characters in Brave New World, Bernhard Marx and John, represent two perspectives on individuality. Bernhard, an Alpha-Plus psychologist, initially values individuality but later succumbs to societal pressure and is ultimately sent to the islands. John, on the other hand, is unique in this society as he was born naturally. His character is torn between his idealistic beliefs and his own conditioning, leading to self-loathing and violence. He embodies the struggle between individualism and conformity in a dystopian world.
Another character, Lenina, is portrayed as an ideal member of society but gradually rebels by forming exclusive relationships and seeking alternative experiences. Despite being conditioned like the rest of society, she shows signs of potentially seeing beyond the controlling powers.
Through these characters, Huxley highlights the dangers of suppressing individuality and the importance of preserving one's unique identity in a society driven by science and technology.
Lenina may seem like a simple character in Brave New World, but she embodies a conflict between experiencing love and following societal norms. To understand the author's views and questions on science and technology, we can examine key quotes from the novel.
Huxley's futuristic world is heavily influenced by science and technology, as seen in key quotes from the novel. The Director of Hatcheries and Conditioning describes the precision of scientific creation and the replacement of natural human experiences with artificial ones, such as the incubation process for embryos. In another scene, a conveyor belt assembly line symbolizes technology taking over human functions.
Another prominent theme in Brave New World is the suppression of individuality in a society that values uniformity above all else.
In Brave New World, Aldous Huxley presents a dystopian future where humans are clones of each other, created through a fictional scientific technique known as the Bokanov process. This dark portrayal of a society controlled by science and technology reflects Huxley's warning against the dangers of sacrificing individuality for the sake of mass production, resembling the philosophies of industrialist Henry Ford.
References:
1. Phillip Ball, In retrospect, Brave New World, Nature. (2013).
2. Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Chatto&Windus, (1932).
Aldous Huxley wrote Brave New World in response to his dislike of H.G Wells' novel Men Like Gods (1923) and to explore the potential consequences of mass technology in a future society.
Brave New World paints a cynical picture of a future society controlled by science and technology. It serves as a cautionary tale against the dangers of a world driven by consumerism and conformity.
Brave New World is a groundbreaking work of dystopian science fiction that remains relevant in today's society despite its futuristic setting.
While some may argue that Brave New World presents a utopian society, Huxley intended for it to be seen as a warning against the potential consequences of a world controlled by science and technology.
