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Brave New World- Huxley's message?


poohbear0805 1 / -  
Jun 5, 2007   #1
Please feel free to give advice and critique my piece. The topic is about how the state controls the society, what Huxley is trying to convey and what I think about his message. Thanks in advance!

In the most recent book we read, Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley, we were able to see a society where every aspect was controlled mostly through science and technology. This book is about the future which is portrayed through the view Huxley had in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The society is under the control of the state which was very demanding and extreme compared to our society. I think Huxley wanted us to learn that if the society kept on going the way it is now, then it will become the utopia depicted in the book. I personally am afraid of Huxley's view and message about state control of society.

Through science the people in the World State were easily controlled. From the point these utopians were fertilized embryos their live were already planned out for them. They were set to a certain intelligence, caste, height, and looks. This was the standards of the utopia and it was strict. This allowed the state to control society because they determined who became successful and was in the upper classes and who would always be a lower class member. This was shown on page 13, where Mr. Foster said "We also predestine and condition. We decant our babies as socialized human beings, as Alphas or Epsilons, as future sewage workers or future..."

From a young age, the people went through hypnopaedia- which was a way of teaching when one is sleeping. Every night people would fall asleep listening to repetition of phrases until it was practically engraved in their heads. This "conditioning" was somewhat like brainwashing. Furthermore the creation of complicated entertainment machines such as the "sound box" allowed the state to manage what the utopians were constantly doing. Also through the usage of soma, the utopians were given a false sense of happiness. All this use of technology permitted the state to ultimately control what went on in the society. The people were constantly monitored, watched, and solitude was not encouraged. An example of this is shown on page 45, "'And then he spends most of his time by himself-alone.' There was horror in Fanny's voice."

I think Huxley's message to us was about how society will one day be taken over by technology. He was trying to convey that people need to know when to stop-stop their crazy inventions, stop being as lethargic, and most importantly start noticing and try to start solving the problems in our society. People need to start become aware of what is going in the world and start taking a step to help. Our world might turn into the one displayed in Brave New World. The utopia depicted there shows the society being controlled by the state. Huxley is trying to show us what not to do. Our society now might just develop into the utopia portrayed in Huxley's book.

I personally agree with Aldous Huxley's ideas about the society. People need to start noticing and stop focusing on technology and science. One day our society might just turn into the World State and it would create a world where love, family, and parents do not exist. This thought truly frightens me and that is why I believe that the public needs to take a step in creating a better world.

Through the book, Brave New World Huxley depicts a world where people are controlled through technology. Huxley's message through the book is, instead of all the advancement in technology, the community should start focusing on the problems in our world. I agree completely with Huxley and I am slightly frightened by the thought of how our society would become if we did not try to help. Brave New World clearly depicts a futuristic world where all has gone haywire and to prevent our own society to become that utopia, we need to take a part and start helping.
EF_Team2 1 / 1,708  
Jun 6, 2007   #2
Greetings!

I think your essay is very good! I'll just make a few editing suggestions and comments.

it will become the utopia depicted in the book. - I just want to make sure you understand the term "utopia." It was originally coined by Sir Thomas More for his book of the same name; it comes from the Greek for "nowhere" and is used to describe an imaginary place which is considered perfect or ideal. So, when you describe the people in Brave New World as "utopians," you must mean it in an ironic way, that is, their society is supposedly utopian, but actually is just the opposite. Therefore, you might want to put the word "utopia" in quotes the first time you use it, to indicate that you realize you are using the word in a non-standard, ironic way.

From the point these utopians were fertilized embryos, [add comma] their lives were already planned out for them.

These were [not This was] the standards of the utopia and they were [not it was] strict.

People need to start becoming aware of what is going in the world and start taking [delete a] steps to help.

Brave New World clearly depicts a futuristic world where all has gone haywire and to prevent our own society from becoming that "utopia," we need to take a part and start helping. - your last phrase is a little vague: take what part? help how?

I think by focusing solely on the advancements in technology as the culprits in the story, you may be missing the point a little. It is not technology itself which is the problem; it is people's blind obedience to authority, and their willingness to turn their own free will over to someone else--in this case, the state. You might want to add something to that effect to your analysis. :-)

Good job!

Thanks,

Sarah, EssayForum.com


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