Brave New World by Aldous Huxley A satire

Satire Literature criticizing human vices Main goal: arouse contempt Common characteristics: ridicule, irony, exaggeration, humor Literature criticizing human vices Main goal: arouse contempt Common characteristics: ridicule, irony, exaggeration, humor

Brave New World –Written: 1931, England –Published: 1932 –Settings (place): England; U.S. —“savage” Reservation in New Mexico –Settings (time): 2540 AD 632 years AF ( “ After Ford ” —Year zero = 1 st year of Model T car production Brave New World –Written: 1931, England –Published: 1932 –Settings (place): England; U.S. —“savage” Reservation in New Mexico –Settings (time): 2540 AD 632 years AF ( “ After Ford ” —Year zero = 1 st year of Model T car production

Brave New World narrator: Third-person omniscient point of view: Shifts between multiple characters –Bernard –John –Lenina –Helmholtz Watson –Mustapha Mond Brave New World narrator: Third-person omniscient point of view: Shifts between multiple characters –Bernard –John –Lenina –Helmholtz Watson –Mustapha Mond

Relevance – why read Brave New World? More applicable today than in 1932 Relevance – why read Brave New World? More applicable today than in 1932 Propaganda/Advertising Censorship Conformity Genetic engineering Social conditioning Mindless entertainment Huxley warns about excesses in each area.

Relevance – why read Brave New World? Cultural references (allusions) Relevance – why read Brave New World? Cultural references (allusions) Clay Terrace – Soma Brave New World – often referenced in articles on technological development.

Literary Technique Reverse-typicality—modern life completely reversed in some way BNW reverses moral standards to… –criticize forces eroding basic freedoms/cultural norms Military/industrial complex; centralized power; consumerism; hyper- specialization– all of these erode… religion; families; independent thought Reverse-typicality—modern life completely reversed in some way BNW reverses moral standards to… –criticize forces eroding basic freedoms/cultural norms Military/industrial complex; centralized power; consumerism; hyper- specialization– all of these erode… religion; families; independent thought

Fiction—low risk consideration Huxley explores important questions. What would happen if…? –As you read, consider what questions Huxley is asking and answering with Brave New World Huxley explores important questions. What would happen if…? –As you read, consider what questions Huxley is asking and answering with Brave New World