Brave New World by Aldous Huxley Pre-Reading Guide

“O wonder! How many goodly creatures are there here! How beautious mankind is! O brave new world That has such people in’t!” -- William Shakespeare, The Tempest (V, ii)

1.Novel describes “One World State” 2.Totalitarian government 3.Manipulates personal life by eliminating individual freedom, family, art, literature, religions, and culture diversity

Aldous Huxley Family had many notable members, including great uncle, poet Matthew Arnold Plagued with vision problems throughout his life Attended Oxford University, became a teacher Published Brave New World in 1932 Lived in the US in later life, died while living in L.A. His “novels of ideas” have sometimes been criticized as being “too intellectual”

According to Huxley The theme of Brave New World is not the advancement of science as such; it is the advancement of science as it affects human individuals” “It is only by means of the sciences of life that the quality of life can be radically changed” From the Foreword from Brave New World

Themes and Motifs Using Technology to Control Society Creating a Consumer Society The Dangers of an All- Powerful State Uses of Propoganda to Control Society Ethical Problems of a Technologically Driven World Henry Ford Sex Alienation Shakespeare Technology Individualism Brainwashing Ethics Drugs

Utopia – perfect society Dystopia – dreadful, dysfunctional society Satire – writing intended to ridicule and arouse contempt – especially by using irony and exaggeration Caste System – social structure which divides people on the basis of inherited social status Ivan Pavlov o Russian physician & psychologist o “Classical conditioning” using dogs o RESULT: Trained dogs to salivate at the sound of a bell, even without giving food. Important People, Terms, and Concepts

Sigmund Freud o Psychiatrist o Psychoanalysis o Mental health and illness spring from a child’s upbringing, not his heredity Soma – an anti-depressant, semi-hallucinogenic drug introduced by the World State Orgy Porgy – group sexual experience to unify all people (sex is not the focus, unity is) Solidarity Service – group of men and women who gather to take Soma and have a spiritual experience More People, Terms, and Concepts:

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

The utilitarian has a very simple answer to the question of why morality exists at all: The purpose of morality is to guide people’s actions in such a way as to produce a better world. Consequently, the emphasis in utilitarianism is on consequences, not intentions. The fundamental imperative of utilitarianism is: Always act in the way that will produce the greatest overall amount of good in the world. The emphasis is clearly on consequences, not intentions. Utilitarianism

Genre – Dystopia Protagonists – Bernard Marx, Helmholtz Watson, and John Antagonist – Mustapha Mond, Lenina Crowne Setting – 632 A.F. in England and Savage Reservation in New Mexico (600 years in the future, according to Huxley) Important People, Genre, Setting

A dystopian tale about a possible future world where human faith in scientific progress, freedom, dignity, and individuality are all called into question. Set in two locations in the 26 th century: London and a New Mexico Indian reservation What is the Brave New World ?

Religion of the World State based on the life and philosophies of Henry Ford. American car manufacturer, inventor of the assembly line Invented the Model T car – designed to be affordable to everyone; only available in black Mass production & mass consumption Assembly line = improved efficiency Vertical structure = self sufficient “Our Ford”

What is the Brave New World ? Caste System: Alphas ( Α )– highest, grey Betas ( Β )- mulberry, bottle green Gammas ( Γ )- leaf green Deltas (Δ)- khaki Epsilons ( Ε )– lowest, black There are also plusses and minuses, so one can be an Alpha Plus or a Gamma Minus. Differentiation achieved through oxygen deprivation

What is the Brave New World? Some individuals are created using the Bokanovsky Process Fertilization process used to create Deltas & Epsilons Divide fertilized eggs to produce identical twins Produces up to 96 embryos, but 72 is the average Primary instrument of social stability

Government organization “conditions” the lower caste children using Hypnopaedia “The greatest moralizing and socializing force of all time” (28). Sleep teaching Moral education Class conditioning “The child’s mind is these suggestions, and the sum of the suggestions is the child’s mind” (28-29). What is the Brave New World ?

A society where all aspects of an individual's life are determined by the state, beginning with conception and conveyor-belt reproduction. A government bureau, the Predestinators, decides all roles in the hierarchy. Children are raised and conditioned by the state bureaucracy, not brought up by natural families. Citizens must not fall in love, marry, or have their own children. What is the Brave New World ?

Do you agree that… History is worthless? Everyone belongs to everyone else? Throwing something away is better than fixing it? No one really needs a mother? The elderly are worthless members of society? Cleanliness is next to godliness? You should never put off until tomorrow the fun you can have today? Are you living in a Brave New World?

Community Brave New World Identity Stability

Edmondson, Elizabeth. “Brave New World Powerpoint.” Gilmour Academy. 8 May PDF file. Web. 19 Apr A Guide to Brave New World. Austin, Texas: Holt, Reinhart, and Winston, Print. Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World. New York: Harper Collins, Wood, Lisha. “Brave New World Intro.” Sprayberry High School. Typepad. 6 Sept Web. 19 Apr Works Cited