Friday, July 8, 2011
Has the Jury reached a verdict? Not exactly....
When I first started reading this book I absolutely hated it. I didn't really understand what was going on. The story line wasn't all that intriguing, and to be honest it's summer and I had other books I would much rather read. But as I continued I did start to find parts of it I actually... gulp... enjoyed. Shocking as it is to think that I could actually like a part of homework, I actually did find some elements that were good. For instance, as I stated earlier, I love the character of Mustapha Mond. I also loved how this book forced me to see social issues in a whole new light. By making every case so extreme, he surprised and sometimes even enraged his readers with the absurdity of it all. But then with closer examination, it became clear that maybe these situations aren't so different from what's going on in today's world right now. It's humbling in a sense to read a book that really focuses on human flaws and how we could change them. That might be one of the reasons I also don't like it very much. After all no one likes to be told what they're doing wrong or how they're screwing everything up. But like I said before honesty brings happiness. So if that means confronting the issues he's uncovered head on in order to make a better society then so be it. I respect him for having the moxy to write a book that could be considered extremely controversial. I also respect the fact that this book seems sort of timeless. He wrote this book in 1932 and now almost 80 years later it still seems both futuristic and plausible. All that being said I still don't really like his writing style and I wish there would have been some kind of exciting climax to spice the book up. So if you were to ask me whether or not I like this book my answer would have to be I don't know (He's still on third). But in all seriousness I think I'm going to have to wait for further discussions or readings before I can really answer that question.
Who's speaking in third? No, I Don't Know is...
Other than the fact that Abbot and Costello are some of the funniest guys ever, this video adequately describes my confusion for who exactly this book is supposed to be following (yes who's on first). In the beginning it seems to be following the director. Then it jumps to Lenina and then to Bernard. Then it seems like it's the savage. It continues to bounce its focus from character to character and honestly I don't like it very much. Because the book never focuses on one character for the entire extent of the book I never felt like I was following a story line. It was more like watching extended youtube clips of a small snippet of their full story. Not to mention I feel like I popped right into the middle of it with no background. I wish the story would have followed one character or at least given me all the necessary background information to understand what's going on. Reading this book was sort of like trying to follow the movie "Inception". They threw you right in the middle of the plot so you were always trying to keep up with the story. That's just my personal opinion.
Answer me this....
While reading this novel some questions have been plaguing me so I figured I might as well blog them and see if you have some good answers. So here it goes...
- What's up with the cover?
- How the heck does it relate to the book?
- Was this the original cover? If so did Aldous Huxley pick it himself?
- Why did he decide to title it Brave New World?
- Why did he write this book?
- Where did the idea for it come from?
- Did he believe a world like the one described would be best? (If so all my blogs are incredibly wrong)
- Where/how did he get/come up with the material for this book?
- Was alcohol really put in Bernard's blood surrogate?
- Was Linina killed when John the Savage attacked her or just badly injured?
- Why does Helmholtz put up with Bernard's incessant whining?
- How did life on the Island turn out for the two men?
- Did John kill himself because of his love for Lenina or all the attention from society or a combo or something completely different?
- Is Mustapha Mond supposed to be evil?
- Is there even supposed to be a sense of good and evil in this book?
- What was the reasoning behind the name choices for the characters?
- Who in their right mind thinks it's ok for toddlers to experiment sexually with one another?
- Why give Ford such an important role?
Happiness
"Art, science- you seem to have paid a fairly high price for your happiness" The Savage Pg 230
I'd like to start this blog by posting the lyrics to a song by one of the best bands ever: The Fray
I'd like to start this blog by posting the lyrics to a song by one of the best bands ever: The Fray
Happiness: The Fray
Happiness was just outside my window
I thought it'd crash blowing eighty miles an hour
But happiness is a little more like knocking
On your door, you just let it in
I thought it'd crash blowing eighty miles an hour
But happiness is a little more like knocking
On your door, you just let it in
Happiness feels a lot like sorrow
Let it be, you can't make it come or go
But you are gone, not for good but for now
And gone for now feels a lot like gone for good
Let it be, you can't make it come or go
But you are gone, not for good but for now
And gone for now feels a lot like gone for good
Happiness is a firecracker sitting on my headboard
Happiness was never mine to hold
Careful child, light the fuse and get away
'Cause happiness throws a shower of sparks
Happiness was never mine to hold
Careful child, light the fuse and get away
'Cause happiness throws a shower of sparks
Happiness damn near destroys you
Breaks your faith to pieces on the floor
So you tell yourself, that's enough for now
But happiness has a violent roar
Breaks your faith to pieces on the floor
So you tell yourself, that's enough for now
But happiness has a violent roar
Happiness, it's like the old man told me
Look for it and you'll never find it all
But let it go, live your life and leave it
Then one day you'll wake up and she'll be home
Look for it and you'll never find it all
But let it go, live your life and leave it
Then one day you'll wake up and she'll be home
Home, she'll be, she'll be, she'll be home
She'll be home, she'll be home, she'll be home
She will be home, she'll be home, she'll be home
She'll be home, she'll be
She'll be home, she'll be home, she'll be home
She will be home, she'll be home, she'll be home
She'll be home, she'll be
I can't exactly explain what situation those lyrics describe. I know it has something to do with the writer's grandfather finding new love at an old age in a nursing home, but for me the song has a very different meaning. That's the beauty of music is every person views it differently and interprets it in new and personal ways. This fact alone brings me happiness. I see beauty in chaos and in original and creative ideas. In fact I find it incredibly difficult to see any sort of beauty in anything uniform. For instance I absolutely detest our school uniform of a polo and khakis and can't wait to ritually burn a uniform shirt along with all my homework from senior year. But my point being is that I find happiness in diversity and chaos and religion and confusion sometimes even. I can not understand how anyone in this book who chose that kind of lifestyle could be happy, or how they would think that you would have to give up beauty and science and truth for happiness. I think it's correct to say that the truth doesn't always make someone happy, but i honestly don't believe the adage "ignorance is bliss". I believe that there is a joy in constantly questioning things and learning things. There is a joy in creating new things and having new ideas. And beyond a shadow of a doubt I believe that there is no way you can be happy without love and emotions. Even if those things cause pain I believe the happiness they bring far surpasses it. I truly believe it is better to have love and lost than to have never loved at all.
Where's my climax?
As I was reading this novel I had this feeling in the pit of my stomach of anticipation. I kept reading and waiting for some big event to take place like a big fight scene or a dramatic twist of events. I held onto this feeling right up until the last line when, with a sinking feeling, I realized there would be none. Now I'm not saying every book has to have some huge action sequence or mind blowing realization but this book didn't have anything. Honestly for me it just fizzled to a close and was vastly disappointing. There were some moments of extreme tension but nothing that kept me flipping the pages or left me with my mouth gaping open. I'll attribute this to the fact that I have been blessed with far greater literary works such as Harry Potter or The Hunger Games. Those, though, are meant to be shocking but what about To Kill a Mocking Bird or Walk Two Moons? Neither of those books are particularly exciting but both kept me intrigued throughout. Not to say that this book doesn't have good things to offer. It's thought provoking and has some excellent insights into humanity and where it's headed. I guess for me this book just wasn't my cup of tea. The books I listed above are like an awesome piece of pumpkin pie with whipped cream on top (which sounds really good right about now) but this book is like the pie crust: a good start, but not enough to fill me up.
Genetics and it's moral implications
"They learn to associate topsy-turvydom with well-being; in fact they're only truly happy when they're standing on their heads." Mr. Foster Pg 17
Another shocking element of this book is the genetic creation of children. Imagining a world without parents or births or families is incredibly difficult but possibly not that far off. I'm not very studied in the field of genetics so I couldn't tell you exactly how close we are but considering we can clone sheep and other crazy stuff like that I can't imagine we're very far. It's kind of frightening to think of a world where everyone comes from a lab and you were genetically enhanced or hindered in order for you to fit properly into society. Never being able to choose your own life path seems almost cruel but at some points understandable. This whole genetics thing has its perks avoiding serious issues such as family problems that cause trauma to young impressionable minds, unintentional birth defects, susceptibility to serious illnesses, and much more. It also has the added perk of creating perfect workers for specific tasks and ensuring that ever present stability they so strive for. But that's just me playing devil's advocate. I honestly believe that if you mess around with nature and its processes too much its bound to come back around and bite you. Things function the way they do for a reason to preserve the balance I mentioned in an earlier post but if you tamper with the process then you must make up for that. So when for one reason or another, such as alcohol being added to your blood surrogate on accident, when something goes wrong you must find a way to deal with it. In the book they do so by sending these people to islands but how long will that last? And what happens when the day comes when a "mutation" fights back? Also as my own little plug this element of the book really reminds me of the movie Gattaca. It's focussed solely on genetics and overcoming the adversity that comes with not being genetically engineered. You've probably already seen it since they normally show it in freshman biology, but if you haven't I highly suggest you see it. :)
Another shocking element of this book is the genetic creation of children. Imagining a world without parents or births or families is incredibly difficult but possibly not that far off. I'm not very studied in the field of genetics so I couldn't tell you exactly how close we are but considering we can clone sheep and other crazy stuff like that I can't imagine we're very far. It's kind of frightening to think of a world where everyone comes from a lab and you were genetically enhanced or hindered in order for you to fit properly into society. Never being able to choose your own life path seems almost cruel but at some points understandable. This whole genetics thing has its perks avoiding serious issues such as family problems that cause trauma to young impressionable minds, unintentional birth defects, susceptibility to serious illnesses, and much more. It also has the added perk of creating perfect workers for specific tasks and ensuring that ever present stability they so strive for. But that's just me playing devil's advocate. I honestly believe that if you mess around with nature and its processes too much its bound to come back around and bite you. Things function the way they do for a reason to preserve the balance I mentioned in an earlier post but if you tamper with the process then you must make up for that. So when for one reason or another, such as alcohol being added to your blood surrogate on accident, when something goes wrong you must find a way to deal with it. In the book they do so by sending these people to islands but how long will that last? And what happens when the day comes when a "mutation" fights back? Also as my own little plug this element of the book really reminds me of the movie Gattaca. It's focussed solely on genetics and overcoming the adversity that comes with not being genetically engineered. You've probably already seen it since they normally show it in freshman biology, but if you haven't I highly suggest you see it. :)
From worshipping the creator of the world to worshipping the creator of the car.. what's wrong with this picture?
Though it never comes right out and explains it, an unsettling trend appears in this book that makes you do a sort of double take. You could basically go through the entire book, cross out the word Ford, replace it with God, and the book would make a lot more sense. This futuristic world has completely demolished the practice of religion in its practical sense and instead replaced it with a loyalty to Ford, the creator of the model T car. This is the one part of the novel that makes the most and the least sense to me. Obviously picking Ford was because the invention of the car was a big deal at the time this book was written, and if you were to take this book in context today you could really put anyone's name of grave importance into that slot. No, the part that baffles me is an entire society that does not even question the absence of religion. Maybe like the savage this comes from my upbringing. Being raised catholic it's hard to see how anyone could live without faith, but that aside I don't even think that's it. I've often questioned my beliefs and even wondered if other faiths would offer a better path for me. Often times I realize my faith is a big combination of all of it, but no matter what I believe I always believe in SOMETHING. The more I look at the world the more I have to believe there is some kind of higher power or being that created all of it. There's just no way a human being could even begin to fathom it's origins let alone create them. So how is it an entire society has completely written it off as a bunch of nonsense, but chooses rather to give their respect to an inventor of a silly moving contraption. Again this could come from the fact that I take things such as cars for granted due to the fact that I've been around them all my life and they're nothing special really, but still I just can't piece it together. I honestly feel that living in a world so void of anything greater would feel like a waste of a lifetime.
YOU GOTTA FIGHT. FOR YOUR RIGHT. TO PAAAAAARRRRRTTTTTYYYY!!!
Oh yes, the Beastie Boys certainly said it best in their rock anthem and the characters in this book live by it. In this society work is very important, but play is met as it's exact equal, and do these people know how to play. They have gardens to get it on in, huge futuristic putt putt courses, hover crafts to take them to exotic lands all over the world, porno shows where you can experience it all through a chair, and soma pills to get you geared up for these engaging activities. I find it interesting that in this society such activity is so encouraged. In today's world if a person were to do these kinds of things nonstop we would consider them out of control, and yet in this society this is just another tool to control the masses. When all these people are partaking in all this merriment they are never alone and always doing activities that are run by the government. Their thinking is that if people are never alone then they can't have individual ideas, and if things stay light and happy then there is no chance of an uprising due to unrest. It's really quite brilliant if you think about it, having all these adults running around acting like babies that are so easy to manipulate. In fact it was people like Bernard who refused to do anything fun that were so difficult to understand and therefore they sent him away. It kind of seems like all these people are living in one big reality show being scripted by the government itself. So is it the best way to go, letting society become one big episode of The Real Life, London? I don't think so....
Sex sells, And your sex cells make all the lost boys drool.
The title of my latest blog comes from a song by The Maine called "The Way We Talk" which if you continue to read only become more provocative, much like this book. When I began reading this book I was absolutely stunned by how much sex there was in the book. Sure it doesn't outright ever describe it but the fact that this kind of sleeping around was not only considered acceptable but encouraged was shocking. In fact when one of my friends who hadn't started the book yet asked me what it was about at the beginning I told her it was about a futuristic world where a bunch of insane people run around having sex with everybody else and doing whatever they want. At first I was disgusted and couldn't understand a world where this was so acceptable, but then I realized I'm living in it. My sister is currently watching TV behind me and she's hooked into the show Teen Mom. Among the other shows she watches are Sixteen and Pregnant, Jersey Shore, and The Secret Life of the American Teenager. I was hit by the realization that this fantasy world might not be such a fantasy after all. The only difference I can really see is that we mask our behavior behind the pretense of romance but that only complicates things. In this society they have eliminated that element making it as care free as possible. For me, I viewed this as horrible because I still find some value in romance, but for the thousands and thousands of people who just sleep around, this is probably a great idea. They might not admit to it right away, but deep down that's exactly what they hope for. Even being in high school I could name off countless people who basically do it with whoever with very little emotional attachment. Sex has become nothing more than a form of entertainment for some people now just as it was in the book. And if Huxley was so dead on about that what else could he be right about and what does that mean for our future or for that matter our present situation?
And the award for favorite character goes to......
Now that I have covered all my necessary literary terms blogs it's time for some fun ones! Well as fun as AP Lit blogs can be when you have two hours to complete them before leaving for a family camping outing (one of which I'm not really looking forward to). But I digress (shout out to Mr. Grimes). So throughout this novel we come across several characters that are less than friendly and to be honest extremely predictable. Bernard Marx groveling all the way up until the end of novel kind of made me want to smack him across the face. But then again I don't have to live in a world where my life has already been predetermined for me... or am I? Oh well that's an issue for another blog. But among all these mundane characters there was one that I was significantly intrigued with: Mustapha Mond. Everything about this character fascinates me from his name (which has a striking resemblance to Mufasa from The Lion King, one of my all time favorite movies) to his demeanor which I just can't seem to wrap my mind around. I continue trying to contemplate whether or not I think he is brilliant or insane or both. Whether he's malicious or sinister or simply doing his job. Whether he believes that he truly deserves the power that has been bestowed upon him and that he knows exactly what he's doing or if it was simply a choice made to avoid being sent away and he's making decisions as he goes along trying to keep his head above water. He is the one character that I feel held a certain element of mystery throughout the entire book but still had enough background that I became enticed in his personality. My only disappointment involving him is that I didn't get to know him better, but maybe that's exactly why I love him so much. At points he seemed to be the all knowing voice of reason but at others I still questioned how he could be so foolish. The vast amount of angles that you could come at this character make him by far the best character in my opinion. In fact in one of those hypothetical games where you could invite three people over for dinner living or dead, fictional or real, just to pick their brains more, I think I'd seriously consider inviting him.
What it all boils down to: The recurring theme of the book
"One can't have something for nothing. Happiness has got to be paid for. You're paying for it, Mr. Watson- paying because you happen to be too much interested in beauty. I was too much interested in truth; I paid too."Mustapha Mond Pg 228
Theme is defined as the insight about human life that is revealed in a literary work (Of course you know this. You gave me the sheet that says so.) so why am i reiterating this description? Because this book itself could almost fit that definition. This book, though it has some very specific views, is, in general, an insight about almost every aspect of human life. It covers everything from personal judgement and fears to social order, to moral implications, and even to love (in a very twisted sense). I believe though that the biggest theme it stresses is balance. The communities described in this book are so extreme both are bound to fail. On the one hand you have wild savages who completely allow feelings and emotions to control their lives and therefore chaos ensues. On the other you have a society that is so focused on stability and uniformity without feeling that it has become so unstable that just the presence of a simple savage boy and a couple men with some innovative ideas become a lethal threat to their supposedly perfect world. It seems neither world has anything in common with the other but in reality they are so closely linked by the fact that both societies lack this necessary balance between emotion and reason. What the people in this book fail to see, is that even though these two elements normally conflict with one another, they sometimes work together in a kind of equilibrium that causes a society to function in peace. Also both groups of people fail to see progress and failure as a positive and vital element. They are so focused with abolishing anything that could be considered failure that they forget that only through failure can you find progress. They believe that by not asking more questions and searching for more answers that there is no need for such discovery. But by doing this they have lost their ability to adapt and in life it is your ability to adapt to an ever changing environment that determines your survival. Huxley's goal in all this is to show people that we must strive to find this balance so that our own society does not suffer in the same way this futuristic one has.
Theme is defined as the insight about human life that is revealed in a literary work (Of course you know this. You gave me the sheet that says so.) so why am i reiterating this description? Because this book itself could almost fit that definition. This book, though it has some very specific views, is, in general, an insight about almost every aspect of human life. It covers everything from personal judgement and fears to social order, to moral implications, and even to love (in a very twisted sense). I believe though that the biggest theme it stresses is balance. The communities described in this book are so extreme both are bound to fail. On the one hand you have wild savages who completely allow feelings and emotions to control their lives and therefore chaos ensues. On the other you have a society that is so focused on stability and uniformity without feeling that it has become so unstable that just the presence of a simple savage boy and a couple men with some innovative ideas become a lethal threat to their supposedly perfect world. It seems neither world has anything in common with the other but in reality they are so closely linked by the fact that both societies lack this necessary balance between emotion and reason. What the people in this book fail to see, is that even though these two elements normally conflict with one another, they sometimes work together in a kind of equilibrium that causes a society to function in peace. Also both groups of people fail to see progress and failure as a positive and vital element. They are so focused with abolishing anything that could be considered failure that they forget that only through failure can you find progress. They believe that by not asking more questions and searching for more answers that there is no need for such discovery. But by doing this they have lost their ability to adapt and in life it is your ability to adapt to an ever changing environment that determines your survival. Huxley's goal in all this is to show people that we must strive to find this balance so that our own society does not suffer in the same way this futuristic one has.
If only I knew what you really thought: The Stream of Consciousness
"Ford, I should like to kill him!" But all he did was say, "No, thank you," and fend off the proffered tube of tablets. Bernard Marx Pg 54
For the whole duration of the book, we get several glimpses into the thoughts of the main characters that often times do not match their dialogue. They express a completely new side of each character that if only listening to their speech we would miss entirely. Some involve intense internal conflicts while others simply make remarks about situations they would never speak out loud. In fact a character's true motives and feelings often come out through these fast moving trains of thought. This is exactly why Huxley includes them in the novel. They are very effective in giving us a personal glimpse into the chaos of these characters' minds. It also gives the story a more human quality that allows the reader to make a deeper, more meaningful connection the individuals. It stays true to the idea of relating certain qualities to ourselves not just in actions but in thought as well.
For the whole duration of the book, we get several glimpses into the thoughts of the main characters that often times do not match their dialogue. They express a completely new side of each character that if only listening to their speech we would miss entirely. Some involve intense internal conflicts while others simply make remarks about situations they would never speak out loud. In fact a character's true motives and feelings often come out through these fast moving trains of thought. This is exactly why Huxley includes them in the novel. They are very effective in giving us a personal glimpse into the chaos of these characters' minds. It also gives the story a more human quality that allows the reader to make a deeper, more meaningful connection the individuals. It stays true to the idea of relating certain qualities to ourselves not just in actions but in thought as well.
Nothing but concrete and glass: The Imagery of Brave New World
'A squat grey building of only thirty-four stories. Over the main entrance the words, CENTRAL LONDON HATCHERY AND CONDITIONING CENTRE, and, in a shield, the World State's motto, COMMUNITY, IDENTITY, STABILITY.' Pg 3
I'm not going to lie the imagery in this book is hopelessly bleak, and done purposefully so. Through the scenery described in this book all I can picture is skyscraper after skyscraper, all made of the same materials and of the same design popping up all throughout London. Even in scenes that describe nature such as the lighthouse or the garden I get the same feeling of grey repetition. Also in the countless sets of twins roaming around the city, I get the complete and utter sense of uniformity and dullness. I also believe this is in ever way what Huxley hoped to depict. The book describes a society completely based on everyone and everything knowing its place and sticking to the pattern of life which was chosen for them at the beginning. So it only seems fitting that these people would live in a world as mundane and unoriginal as they are. Huxley was writing futuristically of course, and whenever anyone pictures progress they tend to think of shiny new sleek inventions and towering buildings. I also tend to think of this as a very sterile and cold atmosphere. Huxley perfectly created this in a way that is just vague enough for the reader to fill in the picture with their own thoughts and feelings but giving enough detail to guide them in the right direction. In a way what he has done with the imagery of this book is exactly what the predestinators do when creating each person. In their life they are free to make choices but they are always guided by what they were created for and in the end fit exactly with the intent of the maker. Also in the jungle scene the chaos of the scenery described perfectly matches the disarray of the people who inhabit it. All his descriptions are meant to match the characters and their feelings and mannerisms; and they do so to a model T. <---(my attempt at being clever)
I'm not going to lie the imagery in this book is hopelessly bleak, and done purposefully so. Through the scenery described in this book all I can picture is skyscraper after skyscraper, all made of the same materials and of the same design popping up all throughout London. Even in scenes that describe nature such as the lighthouse or the garden I get the same feeling of grey repetition. Also in the countless sets of twins roaming around the city, I get the complete and utter sense of uniformity and dullness. I also believe this is in ever way what Huxley hoped to depict. The book describes a society completely based on everyone and everything knowing its place and sticking to the pattern of life which was chosen for them at the beginning. So it only seems fitting that these people would live in a world as mundane and unoriginal as they are. Huxley was writing futuristically of course, and whenever anyone pictures progress they tend to think of shiny new sleek inventions and towering buildings. I also tend to think of this as a very sterile and cold atmosphere. Huxley perfectly created this in a way that is just vague enough for the reader to fill in the picture with their own thoughts and feelings but giving enough detail to guide them in the right direction. In a way what he has done with the imagery of this book is exactly what the predestinators do when creating each person. In their life they are free to make choices but they are always guided by what they were created for and in the end fit exactly with the intent of the maker. Also in the jungle scene the chaos of the scenery described perfectly matches the disarray of the people who inhabit it. All his descriptions are meant to match the characters and their feelings and mannerisms; and they do so to a model T. <---(my attempt at being clever)
Soma: Epithet and Cocaine of the future
'The return to civilization was for her the return to soma, was the possibility of lying in bed and taking holiday after holiday, without ever having to come back to a headache or a fit of vomiting, without ever being made to feel as you always felt after peyotl, as though you'd done something so shamefully anti-social that you could never hold up your head again. Soma played none of these unpleasant tricks. The holiday it gave was perfect and, if the morning after was disagreeable, it was so, not intrinsically, but only by comparison with the joys of the holiday.' Pg 154
Throughout the novel soma is associated with all that is good in the world. It is an escape from all the troubles of every day life and the stress and fear. For most people it almost seems to be their life line. They all constantly carry it with them so in case an unpleasant situation arises they can just take a half gramme and feel better. At the end of the day every worker excitedly awaits their soma ration. When Linda finally returns to civilization she instantly begins taking it in massive proportions. However, soma is not without its implications. It seems to be as addictive as a drug possessing the mind of its taker. Like a drug it can also be harmful to a person's health Linda begins taking it non stop when she re-enters civilization and within a month or two she slips into a sort of soma induced coma and eventually dies from it. Others find its numbing affects to be unnatural and even loathsome. Helmholtz and Bernard frequently refuse to take soma because they feel it does nothing for them except numb reality when they would rather feel. At the end of the novel John and Helmholtz begin throwing the vials filled with it out the window, calling it poison and reprimanding the use of it, saying it takes away a person's freedom. It is for this purpose exactly that Huxley includes soma in the novel and gives it such an important role. Huxley attempts to prove that just because something is related to positive feelings doesn't mean it can't have harmful and sometimes lethal effects. The addiction to such a substance can in fact take away your freedom by making you dependent on the item. In trying to control your feelings of pain or discomfort you actually allow the substance to control you further. Soma is used as an example of things that have a similar effect in society such as drugs and alcohol.
Throughout the novel soma is associated with all that is good in the world. It is an escape from all the troubles of every day life and the stress and fear. For most people it almost seems to be their life line. They all constantly carry it with them so in case an unpleasant situation arises they can just take a half gramme and feel better. At the end of the day every worker excitedly awaits their soma ration. When Linda finally returns to civilization she instantly begins taking it in massive proportions. However, soma is not without its implications. It seems to be as addictive as a drug possessing the mind of its taker. Like a drug it can also be harmful to a person's health Linda begins taking it non stop when she re-enters civilization and within a month or two she slips into a sort of soma induced coma and eventually dies from it. Others find its numbing affects to be unnatural and even loathsome. Helmholtz and Bernard frequently refuse to take soma because they feel it does nothing for them except numb reality when they would rather feel. At the end of the novel John and Helmholtz begin throwing the vials filled with it out the window, calling it poison and reprimanding the use of it, saying it takes away a person's freedom. It is for this purpose exactly that Huxley includes soma in the novel and gives it such an important role. Huxley attempts to prove that just because something is related to positive feelings doesn't mean it can't have harmful and sometimes lethal effects. The addiction to such a substance can in fact take away your freedom by making you dependent on the item. In trying to control your feelings of pain or discomfort you actually allow the substance to control you further. Soma is used as an example of things that have a similar effect in society such as drugs and alcohol.
Brave New World viewed as a didactic piece
"It's curious to read what people in the time of Our Ford used to write about scientific progress. They seemed to have imagined that it could be allowed to go on indefinitely, regardless of everything else. Knowledge was the highest good, truth the supreme value; all the rest was secondary and subordinate. True, ideas were beginning to change even then. Our Ford himself did a great deal to shift the emphasis from truth and beauty to comfort and happiness. Mass production demanded the shift. Universal happiness keeps the wheels steadily turning; truth and beauty can't." Mustapha Mond Pg 228
In this book several social and personal issues are brought to the surface. These include genetic moral issues, the limitation of science and art, love vs lust, what happiness and freedom truly are, etc... It also includes several characters that at first glance appear very flat but serve a much greater purpose as examples of the thoughts, actions, and feelings that every person possesses. I think Huxley uses this novel to reveal not only where he thought society was going if it continued to progress in this way, but also what society was like at the present. This book deals with universal issues and almost uses it as both an eye opener and a warning of what life is coming to. It also forces people to see the negative aspects of their personalities and choices by creating characters that are not very likable but extremely relatable. In some aspects it is actually an anti-didactic pieces because it describes the complete opposite of a model of correct behavior. Still it enforces the idea that change is imminent and inevitable and it is up to us what we will make of that change.
In this book several social and personal issues are brought to the surface. These include genetic moral issues, the limitation of science and art, love vs lust, what happiness and freedom truly are, etc... It also includes several characters that at first glance appear very flat but serve a much greater purpose as examples of the thoughts, actions, and feelings that every person possesses. I think Huxley uses this novel to reveal not only where he thought society was going if it continued to progress in this way, but also what society was like at the present. This book deals with universal issues and almost uses it as both an eye opener and a warning of what life is coming to. It also forces people to see the negative aspects of their personalities and choices by creating characters that are not very likable but extremely relatable. In some aspects it is actually an anti-didactic pieces because it describes the complete opposite of a model of correct behavior. Still it enforces the idea that change is imminent and inevitable and it is up to us what we will make of that change.
Jekyll & Hyde: Internal conflict for John the Savage
'And suddenly the thought of Lenina was a real presence, naked, and tangible, saying "Sweet!" and "Put your arms round me!"- in shoes and socks, perfumed. Impudent strumpet! But oh, oh, her arms round his neck, the lifting of her breasts, her mouth! Eternity was in our lips and eyes. Lenina. . . No, no, no, no!" John the Savage Pg 252
In the novel John struggles with his lust and love for Lenina. From the minute he sees her he instantly knows he loves her and wants to be with her forever. He views her as a goddess that he is unworthy of being with. Still he lusts for her and almost gives into this feeling a few times. This only causes him to hate himself more and he even tries to punish himself at points. He also gets frustrated with Lenina for not understanding his feelings for her. As she continues to throw herself at him it only frustrates him further both inside and out. he goes insane and even begins to hurt himself and others. He attempts to live in solitude and is still tormented by these feelings which eventually lead him to kill himself. Huxley's purpose of giving John this internal conflict is to reflect the conflicts every person feels between love and lust, between what you want right now and what's worth waiting for. It also represents how people can try as they might to run away from their problems but until you face them they will never go away. Huxley is making his audience see this through John's internal battle and possibly make them face their own issues.
In the novel John struggles with his lust and love for Lenina. From the minute he sees her he instantly knows he loves her and wants to be with her forever. He views her as a goddess that he is unworthy of being with. Still he lusts for her and almost gives into this feeling a few times. This only causes him to hate himself more and he even tries to punish himself at points. He also gets frustrated with Lenina for not understanding his feelings for her. As she continues to throw herself at him it only frustrates him further both inside and out. he goes insane and even begins to hurt himself and others. He attempts to live in solitude and is still tormented by these feelings which eventually lead him to kill himself. Huxley's purpose of giving John this internal conflict is to reflect the conflicts every person feels between love and lust, between what you want right now and what's worth waiting for. It also represents how people can try as they might to run away from their problems but until you face them they will never go away. Huxley is making his audience see this through John's internal battle and possibly make them face their own issues.
It's Us against the World: external conflict between Helmholtz and Society
"Not quite. I'm thinking of a queer feeling I sometimes get, a feeling that I've got something important to say and the power to say it- only I don't know what it is, and I can't make any use of the power. If there was some different way of writing. . . Or else something else to write about . . ." Helmholtz Pg 69
"He's being sent to an island. That's to say, he's being sent to a place where he'll meet the most interesting set of men and women to be found anywhere in the world. All the people who, for one reason or another, have got too self-consciously individual to fit into community-life. All the people who aren't satisfied with orthodoxy, who've got independent ideas of their own. Every one, in a word, who's any one/ I almost envy you, Mr. Watson." Mustapha Mond Pg 227
If there is one thing that is strictly prohibited in this new world its independent thought. They take every precaution to ensure that no person thinks for themselves which includes making them not smart enough to do so when they are decanted. However, there are some cases when certain alphas do become a little too smart for their own good and become a problem. That is exactly the case for Helmholtz Watson. He is one of the head Emotional Engineering professors who is deeply conflicted by the feeling that there is something more to the world than just what they're allowed to see. He wishes to write about something important but in this society there is nothing of importance to write about. Then when John enters the picture he finally has the breakthrough he's been grasping for and acts out by throwing out the soma tablets. When he is apprehended with John Mustapha Mond informs him that he will be moved to an island where he can't create an uprising or pose a threat to the community. Mond even admits to Helmholtz that he repsects his spirit but must be against it for the sake of the law. This conflict represents the fight between control and freedom. Mustapha Mond plays the role of dictator and uniformity. Helmholtz represents freedom and independence. Huxley creates this tension to underscore the purpose of the whole novel. He wants to indicate what the cost of stability is and vice versa the cost and worth of freedom. Is it worth being completely cut off from civilization if it means personal freedom and thought? Or is it better to conform and dumb yourself down in order to maintain a normal life? Both Helmholtz and Mond made their choice. Huxley is asking his readers to do the same.
"He's being sent to an island. That's to say, he's being sent to a place where he'll meet the most interesting set of men and women to be found anywhere in the world. All the people who, for one reason or another, have got too self-consciously individual to fit into community-life. All the people who aren't satisfied with orthodoxy, who've got independent ideas of their own. Every one, in a word, who's any one/ I almost envy you, Mr. Watson." Mustapha Mond Pg 227
If there is one thing that is strictly prohibited in this new world its independent thought. They take every precaution to ensure that no person thinks for themselves which includes making them not smart enough to do so when they are decanted. However, there are some cases when certain alphas do become a little too smart for their own good and become a problem. That is exactly the case for Helmholtz Watson. He is one of the head Emotional Engineering professors who is deeply conflicted by the feeling that there is something more to the world than just what they're allowed to see. He wishes to write about something important but in this society there is nothing of importance to write about. Then when John enters the picture he finally has the breakthrough he's been grasping for and acts out by throwing out the soma tablets. When he is apprehended with John Mustapha Mond informs him that he will be moved to an island where he can't create an uprising or pose a threat to the community. Mond even admits to Helmholtz that he repsects his spirit but must be against it for the sake of the law. This conflict represents the fight between control and freedom. Mustapha Mond plays the role of dictator and uniformity. Helmholtz represents freedom and independence. Huxley creates this tension to underscore the purpose of the whole novel. He wants to indicate what the cost of stability is and vice versa the cost and worth of freedom. Is it worth being completely cut off from civilization if it means personal freedom and thought? Or is it better to conform and dumb yourself down in order to maintain a normal life? Both Helmholtz and Mond made their choice. Huxley is asking his readers to do the same.
Some people never change: Static Character Lenina
"Lenina Crowne? Oh, she's a splendid girl. Wonderfully pneumatic. I'm surprised you haven't had her." Henry Foster Pg. 44
Throughout the book if there is one character that remains fairly constant, its Lenina. She is constantly courted and had by several men which she enjoys and some would say even thrives on. She is all about going places, doing activities, wearing nice clothes, and taking lots of soma. And though it seems she may have changed when John the savage comes into the picture she still can't let go of her old ways even when he confesses his love for her. During the scene when Lenina confronts John at Bernard's apartment, she is only interested in having a physical relationship with him and is incapable of expressing her feelings in another way. It appears that she is nothing more than a shallow ditz sometimes but in reality that is exactly how Huxley has portrayed her. She is the epitome of all this society stands for. Even if it seems crazy to a reader today this is precisely how a normal person would act in this world. He has created this character as a beautiful temptress of a great number of the main characters who is hindered by the fact that she can't surpass her conditioning. She does actually experience some inner conflict when she seriously likes these men, and you can tell a part of her does wish for the feelings that come with romance. She can't find a way to express these sentiments, though, because she has been so conditioned to do otherwise. Huxley effectively uses Lenina to represent both the people of this future and the natural human struggles they still go through due to their upbringing.
Throughout the book if there is one character that remains fairly constant, its Lenina. She is constantly courted and had by several men which she enjoys and some would say even thrives on. She is all about going places, doing activities, wearing nice clothes, and taking lots of soma. And though it seems she may have changed when John the savage comes into the picture she still can't let go of her old ways even when he confesses his love for her. During the scene when Lenina confronts John at Bernard's apartment, she is only interested in having a physical relationship with him and is incapable of expressing her feelings in another way. It appears that she is nothing more than a shallow ditz sometimes but in reality that is exactly how Huxley has portrayed her. She is the epitome of all this society stands for. Even if it seems crazy to a reader today this is precisely how a normal person would act in this world. He has created this character as a beautiful temptress of a great number of the main characters who is hindered by the fact that she can't surpass her conditioning. She does actually experience some inner conflict when she seriously likes these men, and you can tell a part of her does wish for the feelings that come with romance. She can't find a way to express these sentiments, though, because she has been so conditioned to do otherwise. Huxley effectively uses Lenina to represent both the people of this future and the natural human struggles they still go through due to their upbringing.
Aphorisms (I can't come up with a catchier title right now)
"But everyone belongs to everyone else" Mustapha Mond Pg 40
"Ending is better than mending. The more stitches, the less riches..." Pg 49
"And do remember that a gramme is better than a damn." Henry Foster Pg 55
"Never put off till to-morrow the fun you can have today." Lenina Pg 93
"When the individual feels, the community reels." Lenina Pg 94
"But cleanliness is next to fordliness.... yes and civilization is sterilization" Lenina and Bernard Pg 110
All throughout the book multiple characters almost mindlessly repeat these little words of wisdom that have been drilled into their brains through sleep conditioning. They are often triggered by certain words or actions made by other characters. There are times when it seems that the character doesn't register the actual words they are saying, but rather like a recording that is being played. Huxley effectively uses these aphorisms to not only give the readers a glance into the values and morals of this futuristic world but also into just how deep their "training" has gone. It's almost as if they have been programmed like computers and the incorporation of these epigrams is a perfect example of how controlling this world has become even in the person's self conscience. Some of the aphorisms are fairly insignificant like the "ending is better than mending" one; others, however, are much more grave such as "when the individual feels, the community reels". It conveys the message that even when community leaders can't be there to enforce the rules of society, there will always be another person to speak up with the words of the government to keep its more unruly citizens in line. Huxley's maxims are effective in further continuing the idea of complete control of the mind and bodies of all the people of London.
"Ending is better than mending. The more stitches, the less riches..." Pg 49
"And do remember that a gramme is better than a damn." Henry Foster Pg 55
"Never put off till to-morrow the fun you can have today." Lenina Pg 93
"When the individual feels, the community reels." Lenina Pg 94
"But cleanliness is next to fordliness.... yes and civilization is sterilization" Lenina and Bernard Pg 110
All throughout the book multiple characters almost mindlessly repeat these little words of wisdom that have been drilled into their brains through sleep conditioning. They are often triggered by certain words or actions made by other characters. There are times when it seems that the character doesn't register the actual words they are saying, but rather like a recording that is being played. Huxley effectively uses these aphorisms to not only give the readers a glance into the values and morals of this futuristic world but also into just how deep their "training" has gone. It's almost as if they have been programmed like computers and the incorporation of these epigrams is a perfect example of how controlling this world has become even in the person's self conscience. Some of the aphorisms are fairly insignificant like the "ending is better than mending" one; others, however, are much more grave such as "when the individual feels, the community reels". It conveys the message that even when community leaders can't be there to enforce the rules of society, there will always be another person to speak up with the words of the government to keep its more unruly citizens in line. Huxley's maxims are effective in further continuing the idea of complete control of the mind and bodies of all the people of London.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
From Hero to Zero: Bernard Marx the antihero
"They say somebody made a mistake when he was still in the bottle- thought he was a Gamma and put alcohol into his blood surrogate. That's why he's so stunted." Fanny Crowne Page 46. In the eyes of everyone who knows him, Bernard Marx is considered strange as can be; He is short, quiet, often ornery, and a loner. Though he is intelligent he is insecure which causes him to flaunt his accomplishments and belittle those under him. He lacks the grace and sometimes maturity. It is in this antihero that we see all the flaws of humanity that this new world has hoped to avoid and therefore shuns him. Aldous Huxley masterfully crafts Bernard Marx into this unlikeable character that every reader hates and yet connects with on some level. Marx is used to indicate that this new world's order is not completely insane. No reader really likes Marx but they can still relate to him and his behaviors. Every human feels isolated and different sometimes and who wouldn't want to live in a society that avoids that issue. At first glance of this futuristic society, it seems insane but through the use of characters like Bernard Huxley shows that maybe the motives behind these radical changes were full of good intent.
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