How to do your presentation
1. Think of a good hypothesis (preferably a provocative one) which you are going
to work on throughout your presentation. Mind that it must relate to your topic.
2. Collect ideas and structure them. Determine the steps you intend to go
towards an evaluation of your hypothesis. Make sure each step you go is a
contribution to your goal.
3. Prepare a handout for your fellow students. Introduce new vocabulary, your
structure, key points of content, points for discussion, charts cartoons or any
other necessary input to them.
4. First illustrate how you topic is dealt with by Huxley. Find evidence in the
novel. Read it out or have it read out.
5. Compare what you have found out about BNW with the real world. Were
Huxley’s prophecies justified or far- fetched? Give evidence (from
newspapers, magazines, the internet…) or use your knowledge from other
school subjects.
6. Pick out one issue and discuss it in depth with your fellow students. Prepare
your questions carefully, provoke them, be flexible while leading the
discussion.
7. Have someone comment on your hypothesis, i.e. give a summary of what they
have learned from your presentation.
PS: Pictures, cartoons comparisons with other works of literature or films that deal
with the same topic, posters, pictures etc. might make your prsentation more lively.
The group must be prepared to do their presentation on the day appointed for it, no
matter if all members are present or not. This is supposed to be team work. In case
someone falls ill (s)he will be supposed to bring a note from a doctor.
Tasks: The meaning of life
(the introductory scene, the beginning of life- Linda’s death, atmosphere; what
is the function of people in BNW, euthanasia, eugenics, what is necessary to
lead a fulfilled life?)
Hatchery centre versus family
(preconditioning, predestinating,hypnopaedia, slogans…)
Happiness and consumerism
(manipulation through advertising, fun, materialism…)
Government and politics
(types of government, advantages and disadvantages, does the government/
state BNW live up to its own standards (motto)?
Emotions and religion
(what part do they play in our lives, are they necessary?, talk about different
religions)
Find examples of mockery/satire in the novel.Why were they used?
(among other passages,chapter 17;
is there a hero in BNW?, explain)
Freud, Pavlov, Ford: Who were they? Why were their names used by Huxley?
(Find parallels between the scientific processes in BNW and in real-life
science. Draw conclusions about the author and the degree to which BNW is
convincing)