BRAVE NEW WORLD by Aldous Huxley
Brave New World is a dystopian novel by Aldous Huxley, first published in 1932. Set in London in 2540, the novel anticipates
developments in reproductive technology, biological engineering, and sleep-learning that combine to change society.
History and context
Aldous Huxley wrote Brave New World in 1932 while he was living in France and England (a British writer, he moved to
California in 1937). By this time, Huxley had already established himself as a writer and social satirist. He was a contributor to Vanity Fair
and Vogue magazines, had published a collection of his poetry entitled The Burning Wheel in 1916 and published four successful satirical
novels. Brave New World was Huxley's fifth novel and first attempt at a utopian novel.
The work was inspired by the H.G. Wells utopian novel Men Like Gods. Wells' optimistic vision of the future gave Huxley the
idea to begin writing a parody of the novel, which became Brave New World. Contrary to the most popular optimist utopian novels of the
time, Huxley sought to provide a frightening vision of the future. Huxley referred to Brave New World as a "negative utopia", somewhat
influenced by Wells's own The Sleeper Awakes and the works of D.H. Lawrence.
Although the novel is set in the future, it contains contemporary issues of the early 20th century. The Industrial Revolution was
bringing about massive changes to the world. Mass production had made cars, telephones, and radios relatively cheap and widely available
throughout the developed world. The horrific events of the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the first World War (1914-1918) were
resonating throughout the world.
Novel Elements
The novel begins in London in the "year of our Ford 632" (AD 2540 in the Gregorian Calendar). The planet is united as The
World State under a peaceful world government established in the aftermath of an apocalyptic global war in the 21st century; a government
which has eliminated war, poverty, crime and unhappiness by creating a homogeneous high-tech society across Earth, based on the
industrial principles of Henry Ford. Fordism forms the bedrock of the new society, gaining a quasi-religious status and forming the
backbone of political and economic ideologies. You will learn more about these societal elements as you read, but some unique facets of
the new World State are described below:
*
Society is rigidly divided into five classes - Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Epsilon which can be sub-divided even further into
categories such as plus, minus and semi-moron.
*
Recreational drug use has become a pillar of society and all citizens regularly swallow tablets of soma, a narcotic-tranquilizer that
makes users mindlessly happy.
*
A significant aspect of the society is the mechanization of reproduction. Citizens of the World State do not reproduce naturally;
people are taught to view natural reproduction as a primitive act.
* The World State is built around the principles of Henry Ford, who has become a Messianic figure revered by society. The world has
embraced a cult of consumerism, and Ford's famous phrase "History is bunk" has become The World State's approach to the past.
Major Characters
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THE DIRECTOR OF HATCHERIES AND CONDITIONING
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HENRY FOSTER
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LENINA CROWNE
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THE CONTROLLER, MUSTAPHA MOND
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BERNARD MARX
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HELMHOLTZ WATSON
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JOHN THE SAVAGE
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LINDA
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Themes
This is a novel about ideas, and its themes are as important as its plot. As you find the themes, try to think not only about what they say
about Huxley's Utopia, but also about Huxley's real world—and our own.
1. COMMUNITY, IDENTITY, STABILITY- VERSUS INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM
How does the motto of the World State, and the ideals contained within, conflict with individual liberties?
2. SCIENCE AS A MEANS OF CONTROL
Although nuclear and genetic concerns are conspicuously absent in the novel, Huxley was more worried about dangers that appeared more
obvious at that time- the possible misuse of biology, physiology, and psychology for questionable goals.
3. THE THREAT OF GENETIC ENGINEERING
Huxley didn't use this phrase, but he describes genetic engineering when he explains how his new world breeds prescribed numbers of
humans artificially for specified qualities.
4. THE MISUSE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL CONDITIONING
Note how, at every stage—from decanting bottle to dying hospital, this society brainwashes its citizens.
5. THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS CARRIED TO AN EXTREME
A society can achieve stability only when everyone is happy, and the brave new world tries hard to ensure that every person is happy—at
all times.
6. THE CHEAPENING OF SEXUAL PLEASURE
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The brave new world makes promiscuity a virtue and perceives sex as a purely physical act.
7. THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS THROUGH DRUGS
Huxley believed in the possibility of a drug that would enable people to escape from themselves and help them achieve knowledge of God,
but he made soma a parody and degradation of that possibility.
8. THE THREAT OF MINDLESS CONSUMPTION AND MINDLESS DIVERSIONS
This society offers its members distractions that they must enjoy in common- never alone- because solitude breeds instability.
9. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE FAMILY
The combination of genetic engineering, bottle-birth, and sexual promiscuity means there is no monogamy, marriage, or family.
10. THE DENIAL OF DEATH
The brave new world insists that death is a natural and not unpleasant process. There is no old age or visible senility. Society eliminates the
painful emotions of grief and loss, and the spiritual significance of death, which Huxley made increasingly important in his later novels.
11. THE OPPRESSION OF INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES
What does the attempt to stifle individuality say about Huxley's Utopia?
12. WHAT DOES SUCH A SYSTEM COST?
This Utopia has a good side: there is no war or poverty, little disease or social unrest. But Huxley keeps asking, what does society have to
pay for these benefits? The price, he makes clear, is high.
Study Questions
These inquiries are designed to help you understand the plot and appreciate Huxley’s philosophy, as revealed through Brave New World.
Answers should be thoroughly and neatly written in complete sentences and include the relevant page number/s. The questions will
help you through our coursework and in our discussions.
Ch. 1
For readers unfamiliar with the structure of BNW, the opening may seem a bit confusing. Essentially, the Director of Hatcheries and
Conditioning proudly describes how a child is “born” and “raised” in this society.
1. What is the motto of the World State? Based on this alone, how do you think this society might function?
2. Basically, how are these test tube babies prepared for their future lives? (For example, consider how miners in the tropics or
rocket-repair specialists are conditioned.)
Ch. 2
1.
2.
3.
4.
As you read, you will notice several allusions and prominent names throughout the novel. In ch. 2, the students are brought to
the Neo-Pavlovian Conditioning Rooms. Who was Pavlov, and how does this link with the purpose of these rooms? (Yes, you
may have to search another reference source for your answer.)
How and why are the Delta infants (a low caste) conditioned to reject nature and books?
What aspects of life generally familiar to us are considered obscene in this society?
As the Director listens in on the hypnopedic lesson at the end of the chapter, what are the children being taught? What seems to
be the larger purpose of this lesson?
Ch. 3
1.
2.
What startling behavior is actively encouraged among children in this society?
World Controller Mustapha Mond reminds his astonished audience of a “beautiful and inspired” saying by Henry Ford, the
Savior of the new World State. What is the statement, and what do you think it means, based on the context?
3. In this society, the reference to “Ford” is interchanged with another prominent name of the 20th century. Who is it, and why
might this be the case?
The latter part of ch. 3 can seem a bit confusing, but realize you are eavesdropping on several conversations at once.
4. How does this society perceive feelings/emotions? Why?
5. What event seems to have been the major catalyst for radically changing society?
6. What is soma?
Ch. 4
Part 2
1.
2.
3.
Why does Bernard Marx not always receive proper deference from the Gammas, Deltas, and Epsilons?
How does Helmholtz Watson differ from Bernard?
How do we know Helmholtz is actually a philosophical man? (Consider his comments and rhetorical questions.)
Ch. 5
Part 1
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1.
What do Henry and Lenina not notice when heading into and out of the cabaret? What is Huxley attempting to highlight by
revealing this fact?
Part 2
1.
The Fordson Community Singery clearly imitates a church service. However, what are some of the notable differences in this
event?
Ch. 6
Part 1
1.
What examples do we see of Lenina and Bernard’s very different worldviews?
Part 2
1.
2.
3.
What revelation does the Director make when approving Bernard’s request?
How does the Director describe the possible fate of the woman he left behind?
How does the Director conclude his conversation with Bernard?
Part 3
1.
2.
How are creatures prevented from escaping the savage reservation?
Near the end of the chapter, how does the pilot describe the behavior of the savages, and what does this reveal about the “new
world” perspective on other cultures?
Ch. 7
1.
2.
3.
4.
Why does the sight of the Indian man climbing down the ladder shock Lenina?
How does John immediately stand out from the rest of the savages?
Why is Bernard intrigued by John’s story about his mother?
Linda admits that she has never acclimated to life on the reservation. Give three examples.
Ch. 8
1.
2.
3.
4.
Based on this chapter, what are some of John’s earliest memories of his mother? How might they have affected him?
How does the text of Shakespeare’s works affect John?
How could the meeting of Bernard and John be described as a crossroads? What do the two have in common?
A passage from Shakespeare’s The Tempest provides the title for Huxley’s novel. How does the end of the chapter foreshadow
the fact that this utopia may not be as wonderful as it seems?
Ch. 9
1.
Describe what goes through John’s head as he sees Lenina asleep? What does this progression of thoughts reveal about him?
Ch. 10
1.
2.
How does the Director of Hatcheries and Conditioning justify disciplining Bernard?
How is the Director embarrassed in this chapter?
Ch. 11
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
How does Linda cope with her return to “civilization”? Why might she choose this route?
How does the newfound celebrity-status affect Bernard? (Describe three examples/details in the chapter.)
What enrages Mond as he reads Bernard’s status report on the Savage? (Consider why this observation is considered
inappropriate.)
How are children conditioned to perceive death?
What is Huxley satirizing through the feelie-show?
Why is Lenina surprised by John’s behavior at the end of the evening?
Ch. 12
1.
2.
3.
4.
How do the guests react when they realize the Savage will not appear at Bernard’s party? What does this reveal about the
society?
Why does Mond censor the scientific treatise, which he admits is quite ingenious?
How do we know Bernard is still bitter, even though John and Helmholtz remain loyal to him after the party fiasco?
How does Helmholtz react when John reads a passage from Romeo and Juliet?
Ch. 13
1.
What is darkly humorous about Lenina’s decision to not inoculate one of the bottles at work?
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2.
Lenina and John seem to be talking past each other at this point. Why is John’s conception of love repugnant to her? Likewise,
why is Lenina’s conception of love repugnant to him?
Ch. 14
1.
2.
3.
Compare the Park Lane Hospital to a modern hospital. (Note: to compare is to highlight similarities and differences)
Why do the visiting children upset John?
What do the nurses do to prevent the children from being traumatized by the scene before them?
Ch. 15
1.
2.
Why do the lines “brave new world” now ring in John’s ears? What does he decide to do?
How do the police quell the riot that has erupted?
Ch. 16
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
According to Controller Mond, how has the world achieved social stability?
Why is Helmholtz, who is essentially a propagandist/p.r. specialist, depressed as he hears John and Mr. Mond talking?
Why does Mond, in response to John’s inquiry, not create a society entirely of Alphas?
Although it is entirely possible, why does this society not allow complete leisure for its citizens?
Why does Mond contend that banishment is actually a reward?
Why did the Nine Years’ War ease the transition into the present World State?
Ch. 17
1. Why does Mond claim that citizens no longer “need” God?
2. According to Mond, why does this society have no need for heroes?
3. Do you recognize John’s allusion on pg. 238? (I hope so!) What is the source, and what does John’s statement mean?
4. How does John conclude his debate with Controller Mond?
Ch. 18
1. Where does John retreat and why?
2. Who visits John, and what does this person seek?
3. On pg. 254, we encounter another interesting allusion from the same work. What is the character contemplating in the original
speech, and why has Huxley placed the passage here?
Some background details courtesy of:
http://www.huxley.net/studyaid/bnwbarron.html#
http://brainstorm-services.com/wcu-2005/index.html
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