The Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is a classic example of dystopian literature. This paper aims to demonstrate how the novel illustrates the evolution of the concept of dystopia and discuss how the text provides a critique of the modern world. The quote “brave new world” is referenced three times throughout the novel to express, joy, confusion and finally pain and sorrow. Sentiments that are strikingly relevant in today’s world.
The birth of dystopian fiction could not have been possible without the pre-existence of utopian fiction. Thomas Moor is broadly considered the father of utopian fiction. Moor was responsible for creating the constitutions that formed the United Kingdom as we know them today. During his service to the country, …show more content…
The strengthening of governmental control, advanced technology, environmental degradation and explosive consumerism have sparked fears of what will come; Huxley, through The Brave New World, expresses his fears for the future as he weaves an intricate web of dystopian themes that run throughout the novel. Should mankind interfere with nature to create a human being, perfectly designed to fulfill a specific role within society? Huxley draws interesting parallels with the idea that we are always subjected to social conditioning, through the various institutions; family, schools and governments. Huxley points out that we should stop and ask what the world constructed by mankind is teaching us? With the designer drug soma, Huxley indicates his opinion of the medicated society that we live in. Should we be reliant on drugs to make us feel better rather than addressing the issues we face? What is the true cost of comfort vs. freedom?
Perhaps Huxley’s biggest question is at what point when we eliminate the pain, struggle and suffering; do we also sacrifice what defines us as human. What will come of humanity is a question that cannot be answered, but Huxley like so many other dystopian writers offers a possible outcome if we as the human race do not stop and think of our actions and the effects they could have on the future of our existence as we now understand
The birth of dystopian fiction could not have been possible without the pre-existence of utopian fiction. Thomas Moor is broadly considered the father of utopian fiction. Moor was responsible for creating the constitutions that formed the United Kingdom as we know them today. During his service to the country, …show more content…
The strengthening of governmental control, advanced technology, environmental degradation and explosive consumerism have sparked fears of what will come; Huxley, through The Brave New World, expresses his fears for the future as he weaves an intricate web of dystopian themes that run throughout the novel. Should mankind interfere with nature to create a human being, perfectly designed to fulfill a specific role within society? Huxley draws interesting parallels with the idea that we are always subjected to social conditioning, through the various institutions; family, schools and governments. Huxley points out that we should stop and ask what the world constructed by mankind is teaching us? With the designer drug soma, Huxley indicates his opinion of the medicated society that we live in. Should we be reliant on drugs to make us feel better rather than addressing the issues we face? What is the true cost of comfort vs. freedom?
Perhaps Huxley’s biggest question is at what point when we eliminate the pain, struggle and suffering; do we also sacrifice what defines us as human. What will come of humanity is a question that cannot be answered, but Huxley like so many other dystopian writers offers a possible outcome if we as the human race do not stop and think of our actions and the effects they could have on the future of our existence as we now understand