Brave New World Review Sheet
Test Format: 30 Scantron questions (multiple choice, matching, etc.), 1 essay (30 marks) = 60 marks
I. Important Major Characters
In your own words, analyze the following characters:
Helmholtz Watson:
Bernard Marx:
Lenina Crowne:
Mustapha Mond:
John:
Linda:
II. Important Plot Events
There are several summaries of the novel online; you might want to read one of them.
III. Important Themes
We discussed several themes in class, such as the following: institutionalized discrimination, the
control of society through distraction and pleasure, the power of individual thought in rebelling against
an unjust society, the loneliness of individualism, the power of social conditioning and culture to shape
people, the pursuit of happiness, and so forth.
What other themes can you infer from the novel?
IV. Important Literary Elements
A. Symbolism: the use of symbols to represent ideas and create meaning in literature.
In your own words, analyze the following symbols:
soma
Shakespeare
London
The Indian Reservation
Science
All major (and some minor) characters are important symbols for differing ideologies.
B. Satire and Irony
Irony: the actual intended meaning is expressed in words that carry the opposite meaning.
Satire: a literary form of writing which uses humour, irony, and wit to express a critical view (of some
aspect of society) for the purpose of improving human institutions or values.
Questions:
1. What are some examples of satire and irony in the novel?
2. What aspects of modern-day society does Huxley satirize in the novel?
V. The Essay
You may come to the test with a written or typed essay outline. You may use your novel and classroom
book dictionary/thesaurus, if you wish. DO NOT BRING: essay drafts, electronic devices, or notes of
any form. Your essay will be marked according to the provincial 6-point scale. In all essay choices,
make specific reference to the novel to support your points (i.e. use both actual quotes and
paraphrasing to support your ideas.)
Some Suggested Essay Topics for Brave New World:
1. Compare and/or contrast any two characters from the novel (e.g. Bernard and Helmholtz,
Bernard and Lenina, John and Bernard, Linda and John, etc.)
2. The social caste system plays a clear role in shaping and conditioning all of the characters in the
novel, and yet none of the major characters completely fit their predetermined mould. To what
extent are the characters in BNW responsible for their individual actions? How much do
factors like social position, physical looks, education, and so forth predetermine individual
lives in the real world?
3. The ending of Brave New World is dark, and some have criticized Huxley for being too
pessimistic in his view of humanity; by contrast, others argue that the ending is perfect given
the parameters of his fictional world. What do you think of the ending?
4. Some argue that true equality is unachievable in our world, and yet others, as elucidated in the
following Martin Luther King, Jr quote, disagree: “I refuse to accept despair as the final
response to history…I have the audacity to believe that people everywhere can have three meals
a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom
for their spirit. I believe that what self-centred [people] have torn down, [people] other-centred
can build up.” Martin Luther King, Jr. Relate this quote to both Brave New World and our
world today.
5. Explore any theme in depth. Consider what big ideas or questions about humanity that Brave
New World raised for you.
6. Create your own topic! I will likely agree to it, as long as you check with me PRIOR to test
day.