BRAVE NEW WORLD
Do-Now Journal Prompts
Major Themes:
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The use of technology to control society
The flaws of a consumer society
The conflict of happiness vs. truth/reality
The impact of “numbing” pain/emotions
The dangers of an all-powerful State
The conflict between community and
freedom
 Free love vs. monogamy
 The impact of science and technology
Huxley’s Warnings:
 1. The dangers of egotism
 2. The destruction brought about by over
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consumption and materialism
3. The dangers of avoiding pain/strife and numbing
the pain with medicine/drugs
4. The destructive nature of hedonism/seeking
pleasure
5. Technology’s destructive force on society,
human intelligence, and productivity
6. Destruction of values/morals in society
7. Technology & over-exposure from the media
leading to a “trivialized” society
Pre-Reading Do-Now:
 1. Define “Utopia”: a perfect society/world where
there are no problems. It is a place of ideal
perfection especially in laws, government, and social
conditions.
 2. Describe your version of an ideal life. Where
would it be? What would people be allowed to do?
What would people have to do on a daily basis?
Would they have any limitations? Explain your
PERFECT WORLD.
 3. Now come back to reality. Why wouldn’t this
“utopia” work realistically? What are some of its
flaws?
SSR: “Brave New World Was a Timely
Warning”
 1. Read the article on Huxley’s Warning.
 2. Annotate: Record your observations/feelings
about Huxley’s message/warning. What strikes you
as the most interesting component of Huxley’s
dystopian society?
 3. Which “warning” do you think is the most relevant
in our society today?
 4. How does Huxley’s Brave New World differ from
Orwell’s 1984?
John Watson’s
“Little Albert Experiment”:
Classical Conditioning
 Psych. Explanation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGU0IYDlwn0
 Experiment Footage:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMnhyGozLyE
 Big Bang Theory: Operant Conditioning:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mt4N9GSBo
MI
Pair-Share: Ch. 1-2
 1. How does the “Little Albert Experiment relate to
the conditioning we saw in Ch. 2 of BNW? (Explain
the process, purpose, and outcome of both
experiments)
 2. Do you think that methods such as sleep
conditioning and behavioral conditioning (e.g.
pairing electric shocks with flowers) are effective?
Are they ethical/moral? Give reasons for your
opinion.
 3. In what ways are we being “trained” or
“conditioned” by the media in our society today?
Give some examples and explain the repercussions.
Opinionaire: Agree/Disagree
 In pairs, discuss your opinions about the topics that
you are most passionate about. Notice the varying
opinions in your group as each group member gives
reasons behind their beliefs.
 Decide whether you still Agree or Disagree after
hearing your group members’ opinions.
 Choose your favorite topic to discuss/share your
opinions about with the class, using a variety of
examples and personal opinions from your group
discussion.
Sexualization of Young People
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_bIdTu
g878- Toddlers in Tiaras strippers vegas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQA8aC
e9WMQ
 - Really good documentary
Huxley’s Terms: Ch. 3
 1. Viviparous: Creatures that give birth the natural
way
 2. Feelies: Movies that allow you to experience the
sensations as seen in the film
 3. Pneumatic: Full of air; empty; curvacious/buxom
 Lenina is commonly described as “pneumatic”
 4. Melthusian Belt: A contraceptive belt worn by
women who are not sterile “freemartins”
 5. Pregnancy Substitute: Pills that mimic the
hormonal effects of being pregnant to “stabilize”
one’s emotions/hormones
 6: Freemartin: Females that are sterile/unable to
get pregnant
Why BNW Has Fresh Significance
in the Modern Day
 1. Make a list of the examples in the article that
compare our society to that of BNW in terms of
 a. Consumerism/materialism
 b. Personal privacy
 c. Dating/Relationships
 2. Which example do you feel the most strongly about?
Explain your reaction and opinions.
 3. Which one of Huxley’s “warnings” about society as
seen in the novel is the most REAL today? Explain.
Journal:
 Do you think that America is over-
sexualizing the youth (kids/ teens) of
this country with exposure in the
media, racy content of TV shows,
movies, advertisements, etc? Explain
your beliefs. If you answered yes, do
you think this is necessarily a bad
thing, or is it just a fact of life that
doesn’t affect the youth in our
society?
Over-Sexualization of Children
 1. As you read, underline the images
that have the most shock value.
 2. Can you think of any other
examples of over-sexualization of
young people in real life that relate
to the content in this article? (Can
be from advertisements, TV shows,
movies, real life scenarios, etc.
Video: Over-Sexualization of
Children
 Children:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWLdSwO_c
wo
 Teens: CNN
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjAqmY2q8c
s
 ***Too Sexy Too Soon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVsS9Sxoo4
U
Conditioned by Social Media
 1. Science behind social media addiction
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HffWFd_6bJ0
 2. Social conditioning of teens:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPEQNLWptf8
 3. Social Conditioning in BNW
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AlqHkOH6WM
 4. Conditioning: BNW Student Documentary
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuRY8NkMfjg
 *5. Social Conditioning Video- 2 min
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sXgTzSFob4
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_j2_34N6Ds
Do-Now: Ch. 5 & 6
Bernard & the “Solidarity Service”
 1. Reread p. 86 (Ch. 5). How does Bernard
feel by the end of the solidarity service in
comparison to the other characters? Be
specific.
 2. Have you ever felt alone even in a
group of people? Have you ever felt like
you just couldn’t conform to society or to
your peers? Write about a time that you
could relate to Bernard in this respect.
Alcohol Targeting Young
Audience:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hpBcliEZMQ
 Are these commercials conditioning the youth of
America?
 1. What images, subliminal messages, or objects
did you notice in these commercials?
 2. What message is brought to light through these
objects and images?
 3. How might they influence a young person?
Beauty Commercial- Men
Wearing Makeup
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wMEbyz
xNHI
“Sexualization of Girls”
Article
 1. What are some ways that we are being
conditioned by society according to this article?
Explain. Put a star by several examples to use proof
from the text.
 2. Find TWO lines from the article that relate to
Lenina’s character and circle them. Explain both
examples briefly in your notebooks.
 3. What happens to a person when they start to see
themselves as an “object” (self-objectification)
Ch. 9 & 10 Analysis
 1. Avoidance: Lenina takes a "soma holiday" to
escape her uncomfortable feelings and the
awkwardness of the savage reservation. Her
repulsion of the savages pushed her to this point
 2. Revenge: p. 142
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- Bernard plans on teaching the Director a
lesson
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- Bernard uses Mustafa Mond to gain permission
to bring John home to the World State
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- He humiliates the DHC in front of the workers
at the Hatchery
Ch. 9 & 10 Analysis
 3. Non-Conformity: p. 148-149
- The DHC has fathered a child (John)
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- This goes against the conditioning and values of society
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- The Director warns others about Bernard's
"unorthodoxy"- his rejection of their ideals like
Ford,
promiscuity, etc.
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- Bernard stands up for his rights and becomes selfrighteous in front of the DHC
 4. Passion: p. 143-145
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- John falls madly in love (lust) with Lenina
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- Quotes Romeo and Juliet (is overwhelmed by Lenina's
beauty)
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- Breathes in her scent, her perfume, her suitcase, etc.
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- He feels guilty for lusting after her and feels like his
behavior was inappropriate
Ch. 9-10 Analysis continued…
 5. Fear of Aging: p. 150
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- Society is frightened by Linda's
appearance
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- Thomas, the DHC is humiliated to be
associated with Linda
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- People scream and cry when they see
Linda
Is our Society Fixated on
Youth and Anti-Aging?
 1. Make a list of words (stream of consciousness)
that come to mind when you hear the word “AGE”
or “AGING”
 2. Does “Aging” have a positive or a negative
connotation in your opinion? Explain why you think
of “aging” as positive and/or negative.
 3. Why do you think society prefers youth over old
age? Explain.
Why are we afraid of getting
older? Speech
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Video 1:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6zenOjPC1A
Video 2: Soap box
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfBzDOB1QU
 1. Make a list of facts/stats/main ideas that stand
out at you from the speech.
 2. What is her main argument?
 3. How does she succeed in getting her message
across?
Ch. 11 Pair-Share:
 Find THREE examples that demonstrate the
following topic that you and your partner were
assigned. Write in ONE person’s journal and be
prepared to share with the class.
 1. Linda’s Soma addiction: p. 153-155
 2. Bernard’s attitude change: p. 156-157
 3. John vs. World State’s Values and Morals: (p.
154; 158; 160; 162; 170)
 4. Lenina’s Self-Worth, Morals, and Low SelfEsteem: p. 170-171
BNW: Ch. 11 Themes/Analysis
 1. Linda’s Soma addiction: p. 153-155
 No one wants to see Linda, and Linda
doesn’t want to be seen, so she goes on a
20 gramme a day “soma holiday”
 Doctor supports it because at least she’s
at peace
 Linda’s life is being shortened and they
don’t care (medical malpractice) No one
cares about an individual’s life
Ch. 11 Analysis Continued…
 2. John vs. World State’s Values and Morals: (p. 154;
158; 160; 162; 170)
 John worries about his mother’s Soma holiday and
the ethics of the doctors not being able to
rejuvenate her
 John is not impressed and is troubled by science
and technology that Bernard shows him
 John starts vomiting when they show him how
they manufacture body parts
 John doesn’t understand why they laugh when
they see religious prayer
 John is offended by the feelies and the
promiscuity, smuttiness, and racism of the film
Ch. 11 continued…
 3. Bernard’s attitude change: p. 156-157
 Bernard brags about sleeping with many
girls
 Bernard becomes vain and loses his values accuses Helmholtz of being jealous and
vows not to talk to him again
 Bernard enjoys the attention and popularity
and feels larger than life- like a true Alpha
 People invite him out and come to his
parties
Ch. 11 Analysis continued…
 4. Lenina’s Self-Worth and Low Self-
Esteem: p. 170-171
 Lenina is unhappy when John doesn’t try
to sleep with her
 Blames her appearance and doubts her
beauty
 Wonders if it’s because her nose was shiny
 Cries because of the rejection- then pops
some SOMA
Beauty Article:
 1. Read and annotate article. Try to make
connections to John the Savage and Lenina’s
characters in BNW
 2. Complete “First Reading” #s 1-4
 3. Complete “Second Reading” #s 2 & 3 only
Over-Medication
 Video 1: 2:35 min- Overprescribing of antidepressants https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ
jduKKHkts
Video 2: less than 3 min: Doctor over-prescribing
drugs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF8Wkat
MnGM
Video 3: Student Presentation- Cause/Effect
essay https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1Cg647GiY
Video 4: Teens taking unprescribed
drugs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7L77_vE
sMU
Do-Now: Ch. 13 & 14
Dependence and Addiction
 In BNW, Linda’s love of soma and her eventual
addiction to the drug led to her demise. Do you
think that our dependency on the things we love
most can harm us? Explain. Include an anecdote
(personal or not) of something that in excess
might not be good for a person. Try to also state
how the things we are dependent on might be
good for us.
 * Some examples might
include…food…shopping…internet… cell phone…
binge-watching Netflix, video games, sports,
gambling, you name it!
Ch. 13 Themes:
 1. Death Conditioning: Children are conditioned to
view death as pleasant. They are desensitized to
death. NO SENTIMENTAL CONNECTIONS
 Chocolate éclairs, perfume dispensers, comfy room in
hospital suite, sporting events broadcast, children play
“hunt the zipper” (HOW DO THE KIDS REACT TO LINDA?)
 The nurse worries that John’s behavior will “decondition”
the children. (EXPLAIN)
 2. Children are Mindless Drones: Twins (cloned delta
kids) pile in to see “death” so they don’t fear it.
 Twins come in to see a person dying- they have no fear-
only fascination and curiosity
 No individuality or sentimentality- twins-twins- more
twins- faceless, nameless “children”
Themes: Ch. 14
 3. Irony: “How many goodly creatures are there
here! How beauteous mankind is! O brave new
world…” (209 & 210)- from The Tempest- by Shakespeare
 John used to think his mother’s stories about this “brave
new world” were beautiful and fascinating, but now he is
repulsed by the reality of these people
 He hoped there was the promise of a bright future, but
now he sees the nightmarish ways of the World State
 4. Freedom: Free Will and Choice
 Linda died “a slave”, but John wants others to be free
 John tosses soma at the people so they can CHOOSE
freedom or slavery
 The crowd is quieted by “The Voice of Reason” and soma
vapor used by the policemen. Everyone is calm & happy
Soma’s True Purpose
 Soma is used to create a “stable society”
 How does soma give the government power?
 Happy people don’t riot or overthrow the
government
 Helmholtz realizes that soma made them all
“infants”. Without it, they are “adults”- Explain
what he means by this.

Overprescribing Drugs
http://www.today.com/health/pill-nation-are-we-too-reliant-prescription-meds-1C9291856
 1. What is the author’s main argument? What is to
blame for the dilemma addressed?
 2. How does the author successfully argue her point?
What rhetorical devices are used? (Ethos, Pathos,
Logos) Use specific examples for each type.
 3. Find THREE types of arguments/claims. (Factual,
Point-Counterpoint, Cause-Effect, Solutions) Use
some specific examples to prove your points. You may
quote directly or summarize.
 4. What is your opinion on the subject matter? Is this a
growing concern in our nation? Why/why not?
Huxley’s Warnings in BNW
 Losing individuality by conforming to
society’s expectations
 Society’s control over the masses
 The dangers of science and technology
 The dangers of an all-powerful state
 The conflict between Community vs.
Freedom
 The conflict between Happiness vs. Truth
 Losing personal freedoms (accepting
“slavery” willingly)
 Obsession with consumerism and
materialism (new > old)
 Loss of personal values, morals, religion,
family values
 Losing appreciation for the
arts/literature in favor of superficial
means of happiness
 Dependence on drugs/illegal substances
as a quick fix
Orwell’s Warnings in 1984
 Dangers of an all-powerful gov’t
 Loss of individual freedoms
 Loss of privacy in our personal lives (living in a
“surveillance state”)
 Loss of freedom of expression
 Censorship and distortion of facts/news in the media
 Ignorance and lack of knowledge due to gov’t
control
 Powerlessness of oppressed people in society
 Losing the desire to rebel and question authority
 Losing our humanity and individuality
Huxley vs. Orwell: Who got it right?
 Read “A Letter to George Orwell” (p. 14-18) in the
back of your book. Analyze Huxley’s tone and his
main argument. Then write a reaction paragraph in
response to Huxley’s claims about the future of
society. In your opinion, whose vision of the
government and almighty, powerful authority
figures is more accurate? Huxley’s, or Orwell’s?
 *Consider Huxley’s line, “The [government’s] lust
for power can be just as completely satisfied by
suggesting people into loving their servitude as
by flogging and kicking them into obedience [as
in 1984].” Do you agree with him? Explain.
Too Far Ahead of Its Time?
 Read the article, “Too Far Ahead of Its Time” on
p. 8-11 at the end of the novel.
 Write a 1-2 paragraph reaction to the critics’
arguments against Huxley’s dystopian society in
Brave New World. Critics claimed that the novel
was an inaccurate portrait of society and that
Huxley grossly exaggerated the corruption in our
society. What do you think? Write a response to
the critics either supporting their argument or
going against it. Use evidence from everyday life
and references to the novel in your response.