Brave New World Journal Topics Chapter 1-3: What is social stability, and does it exist in the world state? Think about the uses for soma. If everyone was always happy, why would they need it? Soma is legal, free, and encouraged. How is alcohol different from soma? Do you think if marijuana were to become legal, it would have the same effect on society? Would people be high all the time and null the pain of the real world like they do with soma? Chapter 4-5: Why is Bernard the way he is? What does he really want? Why is Helmholtz the way he is? What does he want? How is he different from Bernard? Chapter 6-7: Think about what it’s like to go on a first date with someone. How does your experience differ from Bernard and Lenina’s? How would you feel if your date acted like Bernard? How would you feel if your date acted like Lenina? Chapter 8-9: What was John’s upbringing like? What is his relationship with Linda? What about his education? Did he learn more from Linda, or the Savages? Do you learn more from your parents, or the people you hang out with? Chapter 10-11: How does Bernard’s life change? How does he react? What does Helmholtz think? If you were to become famous overnight, would you flaunt your fame and glory? Would you think yourself higher than your friends? Chapter 12-13: What role does Mustapha Mond play as a censor? Why des he do it? What does he censor? What does he really want? How do you feel about censorship? Is it necessary? Who plays a bigger role in censorship, parents or the government? Chapter 14-15: Why isn’t death terrible for those in the civilized world? What does this mean for the individual? Do you think it would be better if we didn’t care so much about people dying? As a society do we mourn people’s deaths more, or celebrate their life? How does this relate to ‘Ah, Are You Digging on My Grave?’ and the time period? Chapter 16-17: What is the significance of their discussion of religion? What does John argue religion can give to civilization? Why does Mond argue that it is unnecessary and potentially dangerous? “We did not make ourselves, we cannot be supreme over ourselves. We are not our own masters. We are God’s property.” What point is Mond trying to make? “One believes things because one has been conditioned to believe them.” Do you agree with Mond? Chapter 18: What is John’s decision? Why does he make it? Were there alternatives? Does John make this decision to end his suffering, or to accentuate it? Would you be willing to give up of your freedoms for world peace, an end to poverty, hunger, etc.? If so, what would you be willing to sacrifice? What would you consider to be a utopia?
