E12-LK Up
Brave New World
Chapter / Tasks
1. Chapter One
1.1.
a) Explain what you understand by the World State’s
motto „community, identity, stability”. Which do you
think
is
most
important
to
this
society
b) Compare the three slogans of the World State to the
keywords of the French Revolution. What are the
differences and parallels?
1.2.
Describe the reproduction technology of Brave New
World, and explain its purpose.
1.3.
Analyse the perspective of the narrator in Chapter One.
“Standard men and women, in uniform batches. The
whole of a small factory staffed with the products of a
single bokanovskified egg” (page 9, ll. 4-6) What image
does the author use here, and what is its purpose?
1.5.
Look at the words below used in Chapter One. What
do they describe and what is their original meaning in
English?
 hatchery (p. 5, l. 2)
 predestine (p. 11, l. 27)
 freemartin (p. 13, l. 29)
 decant (o. 14, l. 8)
 condition (p. 14, l. 16)
 caste (p. 15, l.7)
2. Chapter Two
2.1.
The conditioning of infants takes place in the NeoPavlovian Conditioning Room. Find out more about
Pavlov and his experiments and explain what they
revealed.
2.2.
Expalin how the conditioning of infants takes place,
describing which particular sense is used and what the
response of the infants is.
2.3.
Explain how hynopaedia works, and state in which
areas – according to the novel – it can be successful
and in which areas it cannot be successful.
2.4.
“The child’s mind is these suggestions, and the sum of
the suggestions is the child’s mind” (p. 27, ll. 17-18).
What parallels could be seen between the ideas
presented here and the upbringing of infants in our
society. What are the main differences.
2.5.
Explain the class structure of the World State. Do you
see any parallels to our present society?
2.6.
Analyse the political system that makes such
conditioning of human beings possible.
2.7.
a) Describe the steps that might lead from a
democratic society to a system that reproduces class
structures
on
purpose.
b) Do you think such a class structure makes sense in
our modern world. Explain your answer.
2.8.
How does the class system in our country work. What
social factors reinforce the class structure, and what
social factors help to undermine it?
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Djordje
Julia-Anna
Ann-Kristin
Handem
Philipp
Döllert
Johanna
Frank
Maurice
Dominik
Maik
Alexander
Philipp
Meier
Phillip
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Jonathan
Birte
Oliver
Anja
1.4.
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Brave New World
3. Chapter Three
3.1.
At the beginning of this chapter little girls and boys are
being encouraged to play sexual games. Explain why
this and what consequences it has.
3.2.
a) Compare the view of sex in the World State to the
one in our present society.
b) To what extent do you think that what is said about
Freud’s findings on page 36, ll.1-7 is valid?
c) State whether it is possible to achieve a balanced
sexuality, or whether taboos are necessary.
3.3.
Explain what Henry Ford meant when he said “History
is bun” (page 32, l. 3) To what extent would you say
that history is indeed bunk in your own life?
3.4.
Analyse the role of consumption as described on p. 22,
ll. 2-24 and p. 28, ll. 15-22.
3.5.
In this chapter we are introduced to two characters who
seem to be out of step with the perfection of the World
State. Evaluate what is different about them. What
might this say about this utopian world?
3.6.
Chapter Three makes clear that the narrator is neutral
as well as omniscient. Can you show this in the text?
3.7.
At the end of Chapter Three the narration shifts
increasingly rapid between the various conversations
and the hypnopaedic sayings. What is the point of this
unusual technique.
4. Chapter Four
4.1.
Contrast Bernard’s and Lenina’s understanding of
personal relationships.
4.2.
4.3.
4.4.
In your opinion, after whom is Benito Hoover named?
How appropriate is his name, and why do you think
Huxley chose it for this character?
Describe London in the World State.
4.5.
Lenina says she is happy not to be a Gamma (p. 55, l.
7). Expalin her position and her thoughts about this.
Explain what makes Bernard unhappy.
4.6.
Explain what makes Helmholtz unhappy.
4.7.
How close is the friendship between Bernard and
Helmholtz?
State your own personal opinion about Bernard.
4.8.
5. Chapter Five
5.1.
To what extent would you say that Huxley’s description
of the Westminster Abbey Cabaret is prophetic? Point
our similarities to such venues in the modern world.
5.2.
Lenina has some doubts about the system. Explain
what they are and discuss her solution to the problem.
5.3.
a) Analyse the Solidarity Service as a satire on religion,
pointing out which elements of a Christian service are
used.
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5.4.
5.5.
5.6.
Brave New World
b) What does the Solidarity Service say about the
needs of individuals and society even in a future
utopian world?
What concept of “the Greater Being” comes across in
this chapter. Would you describe this Being as GoD?
Why is Bernard not happy at the orgy-porgy, although
he participates completely in its rituals?
What point of view seems dominant in Chapter Five?
5.7.
Lenina takes all the necessary contraceptive
precautions. Why is natural pregnancy such a taboo in
the World State? Why is pregnancy still possible?
6. Chapter Six
6.1.
Analyse Bernard’s and Lenina’s attitudes towards time
spent together.
6.2.
Bernard says “What would it be like […] if I were free –
not enslaved by my conditioning” (p. 78, ll. 20-21).
Pointing to examples in your private and social life,
evaluate to what extent you are “free” and to what
extent “conditioned” by society.
6.3.
a) Think of reasons why the Director tells Bernard
about his problem when he went to the reservation 25
years ago. Do not only think within the story but also its
function for the plot.
b) Explain why the Director has broken a taboo in
talking about this episode.
6.4.
Why does Bernard feel strong enough to fight the
system after his meeting with the Director?
6.5.
Describe what you learn about the Reservation. How
does it differ from the society that has been depicted
up to now?
6.6.
Give reasons why such a reservation is allowed to exist
in a world that is otherwise happy.
7. Chapter Seven
7.1.
Imagine that Lenina is asked to write a report for the
Beta newspaper about the religious ceremony in the
pueblo. Write the report, giving a description of the
events and also a critical judgement of the event.
7.2.
What is the purpose of the ceremony. How effective do
you think it is in achieving its aims?
7.3.
Flagellation is a part of many religion’s practices. Do
research on terms such as “zanjeer zani” (performend
during the Shia commemoration of Ashura), “selfflagellation”
(performed
by
many
Catholics),
“thaipusam” (a Hindu feast), and explain how this helps
the believers’ faith.
7.4.
Explain Bernard’s interest in John’s story. What might
he do with this information?
7.5.
Give a brief summary of what Linda says. What
impression do you gain of her?
8. Chapter Eight
8.1.
Analyse the reasons for the ambivalent feelings
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Jonathan
Phillip
Meier
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David
Corinna
Oliver
Mario
Birte
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Philipp
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Brave New World
between John and Linda. How does their relationship
reflect what Mond says in Chapter Three about
families?
8.2.
Analyse Linda’s position within the pueblo, taking into
account her different view of morality.
8.3.
John is very keen to discover the World State. Explain
some of his motives.
8.4.
Summarize John’s life up till now.
8.5.
Explain what is meant by “he had discovered Time and
Death and God” 8p. 117, l. 24)
8.6.
Compare John’s feelings of aloneness with those of
Bernard.
8.7.
Explain the narrative perspective in this chapter. What
effect does it have?
9. Chapter Nine
9.1.
What do we learn about Bernard in this chapter?
9.2.
9.3.
9.4.
9.5.
Consider the slogan of “Community, Identity and
Stability”. How do Bernard’s actions support or
undermine this slogan?
What are John’s feelings towards Lenina?
Why does he use quotations Shakespeare to express
his feelings?
In what way are his feelings inappropriate?
9.6.
Explain how both the reservation and the World State
would expect John to behave in the situation in which
he finds himself with Lenina.
10. Chapter Ten
10.1. a) What does the Director accuse Bernard of?
b) How can this be seen in his behaviour up till now?
c) Do you consider the accusations are correct?
10.2. For the moment Bernard has won the fight against the
system. How would you feel in his situation?
10.3. The Director flees and later resigns when it becomes
public knowledge that he has got a son. What exactly
is so terrible for him and the society about his
knowledge? Has the Director actually done anything
incorrect, unsocial or immoral?
11. Chapter Eleven
11.1. Explain the change that takes place in Bernard. To
what extent does the attitude of others towards
Bernard also change?
11.2. State your own opinion about Bernard now.
11.3.
11.4.
11.5.
11.6.
Explain what “physiological processes” 8p. 141, l. 15)
are. Give examples of them and explain how society in
the World State deals with them. Which physiological
processes do not exist any more?
How might John define “love”?
Read Bernard’s report to the Controller. Which words
or phrases reveal arrogance in Bernard’s reporting?
Compare the quote about “brave new world” in Chapter
Eight (p. 120, l. 5-6) and in this chapter (p. 138, ll. 7-9).
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Alexander
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Brave New World
What would you call the tone in which John says the
quote here?
11.7. Would you like to go to a cinema where you could
experience as much a s the people in the World State?
Explain your answer.
11.8. How do you imagine Lenina feels at the end of the
chapter?
12. Chapter Twelve
12.1. John refuses to attend one of Bernard’s parties with
prominent people. Explain his motives.
12.2. Analyse Lenina’s feelings in this chapter and what they
reveal about the system of conditioning.
12.3. Examine Bernad’s fall from grave, and the
consequences it may have.
12.4. Outline the conflicting views of the meaning of life on
page 152, ll. 12-23.
12.5. John reads out Romeo and Juliet to Helmholtz.
a) What exactly does Helmholtz find unacceptable
about the sentiments expressed by Shakespeare?
b) We live 400 years after Shakespeare wrote Romeo
and Juliet. List some things about the play that are
difficult for a 21st century person to appreciate12.6. Helmholtz says that “we need some other kind of
madness and violence” (p. 159, ll. 10-11)
a) What does Helmholts want madness and violence
for?
b) Explain what John’s feelings of madness and
violence are.
c) How might such a madness and violence be found
in such a “happy” society?
13. Chapter Thirteen
13.1. Assess the two view of love and sex revealed in this
chapter, and decide whether the author is sympathetic
to one or the other view.
13.2. Describe the relationship between love and violence as
depicted here.
13.3. Does John really love Lenina? Explain your answer.
What are Lenina’s feelings for John? How will she
react to the experience she underwent in this chapter?
14. Chapter Fourteen
14.1. Explain the philosophy behind the Hospital for the
Dying.
13.4.
14.2.
14.3.
14.4.
14.5.
Why has it been decided that everyone should die at
the age of 60?
In our society, people are often shielded from death.
What might we be able to learn from the World State’s
treatment of death? What elements should we not
learn?
Which dying people in the World State might receive
visitors? Who might not? Could grieving be totally
removed from a utopian state? Consider the
relationships between the characters in the novel.
Examine the memories that John has of Linda.
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14.6.
14.7.
Brave New World
To what extent is John right to force Linda back from
the dream world of “ignoble pleasures” (p. 176, l. 13)
into to “the appalling present” (p. 176, l. 14)
Who is responsible for the fact that Linda lost herself in
her dream world and died at an early age?
15. Chapter Fifteen
15.1. What are John’s intentions when he tries to prevent
Deltas from receiving their soma?
15.2. State the reasons why John’s action cannot be
successful.
15.3. From what you know now about the World State, which
people are the weakest part of the structure and might
bring about a change?
15.4. Helmholtz helps John with the riot, but Bernard stands
apart. What does this show about his character?
15.5. What do think of the methods of the police?
John holds soma responsible for Linda’s death and for
the false happiness in the World State. Discuss his
point of view.
16. Chapter Sixteen
16.1. Explain the role of the World Controller in this chapter.
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15.6.
16.2.
16.3.
16.4.
In this chapter Mond explains the political ideology of
the World State. Outline its fundamental aspects.
How do you interpret the fact that the three men are
not imprisoned but taken to Mustapha Mond and then
discuss ideology and philosophy?
Why does Helmholtz decide to be exiled to the
Falkland Islands?
17. Chapter Seventeen
17.1. Try to work out what Huxley thinks about God and
religion while reading this chapter.
17.2.
17.3.
Decide which of the following ideas Mond propagates:
a) God changes with time.
b) There is no God.
c) God chooses to show himself in different ways.
Assess what kind of God it is that John argues for.
In your opinion, is it better to get “rid of everything
unpleasant” (p. 205, l. 11) or learn to put up with them?
Explain.
17.5. John claims “the right to be unhappy” (p. 206, ll. 2021). Give reasons why he does so.
17.6. Mond prefers to “do things comfortably” (p. 206, ll.1415). Compare his position with John’s.
18. Chapter Eighteen
18.1. At their last meeting, Bernard, Helmholtz and John are
quite happy in spite of their future. Explain why this is.
18.2. What does it say about John’s character that he
refuses to continue with the experiment, as the World
17.4.
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18.3.
18.4.
18.5.
18.6.
18.7.
Brave New World
Controller would like him to do?
John knows life both on the reservation and in the
World State. When he decides to live as a hermit,
which, if any, of the two systems does he show a
preference for? Give reasons for your answer.
What kind of feeling do you get reading about the
arrival of spectators (p. 218, l 16 – p. 219, l. 6). List and
explain the metaphors and symbols.
Who is the woman John whips almost dead at the end
of the story (p. 220, l. 26 – p. 221, l. 24)? Write down
her thoughts as she arrives at John’s lighthouse, and
later when she has returned home.
Compare John’s language in Chapter 18 when he is
punishing himself with his use of words and sentences
in Chapter 17.
Explain why John kills himself.
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