Brave New World
Today, in 21st century United States, people are concerned with the fast pace of new and growing technology, and how these advances should be used. In the last decade alone we have seen major advancements in technology; in science, cloning has become a reality, newer, more powerful drugs have been invented and, in communications, the Internet has dominated society. There is a cultural lag due to the fast rate of increasing technology, and while the governments of the world are trying to keep up their role as censors and lawmakers, we as individuals are trying to comprehend the effects it has on our lives. Will these advances enhance our lives to an unprecedented level of comfort, or lead to the loss of actual happiness? In the early 1930's, when Aldous Huxley wrote Brave New World, this was a question he felt was worth asking. In Huxley's Brave New World there are two forms of happiness: physical and actual. The fulfillment of physical happiness is the basis of the New World society. Residents never have to worry about food, shelter, job security, or sickness. One will never look fat, wrinkly or become weak with brittle bones and, thus, even the fear of growing old is taken away. Mustapha Mond,
In Huxley's Brave New World individuality is dangerous and will lead to pain and suffering. John, unable to adjust and adhere to a world which caters to physical happiness, with no regard to actual happiness, commits suicide. While the state stops the spirit to stabilize the people, it seems John does the opposite, repressing the body so that the mind and spirit remains free. It is hard to decide what sacrifices are worth making for social stability and physical happiness. If life is too easy, how can we really appreciate it but if life is too difficult, how do we cope with the suffering? John the savage is a unique character in Brave New World. He is a hybrid of his mother's home, the Brave New World, and the Indian reservation where he was raised. Unlike the other characters, he has not been conditioned by the government of the Brave New World and, therefore, is aware of all the possibilities and choices that can exist in life. John and Mustapha Mond share a common knowledge of Shakespearian work and religion. When John first discovers this, he is excited and seems to finally have a real connection to another individual. What takes place is a kind of philosophical debate between the two gentlemen. We see that knowledge and emotion are reserved for a privileged few, and are too dangerous for most individuals in a stable society. Mustapha Mond's arguments seem rational but are designed to leave little room for criticism. His arguments rest on the untested assumption that stability is the highest social goal and physical happiness is the primary tool to achieve it. Mustapha Mond never questions what happiness is and considers its meaning to be self evident. It seems happiness in the Brave New World is just blissful ignorance, with life being guided by the helping hand of an all-powerful government. If for any
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Approximate Word count = 1240
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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