There are many ways in which both the texts of ‘Vile Bodies’ and ‘Brave New World’ present the worlds within them in a satirical way, with the respective authors often using similar techniques to accomplish this. However, before addressing the texts in their entireties and exploring the authors’ choices, it will be helpful to understand in more detail what the term ‘satire’ fully encompasses. The term describes
‘a mode of writing that exposes the failings of individuals, institutions, or societies to ridicule and scorn. Satire is often an incidental element in literary works that may not be wholly satirical, especially in comedy. Its tone may vary from tolerant amusement, […] to bitter indignation […] The alternative form of 'indirect' satire …show more content…
The people of this dystopian future are all seemingly mind- and emotionless, at least in any complex way, and the real life attitudes to promiscuity and drug use are parodied and brought into question, probably based off Huxley’s own Hollywood experience. What sets these two satires apart however, is the overall tone and message they leave the reader with. In Brave New World, the futuristic World State in the year 2540 is one of dull stability and child-like gratification, but a more ambivalent approach seems to be adopted by the author when describing the world, its inhabitants and the final ending of the novel. This contrasts rather starkly to Vile Bodies, which seems to take a more moralistic tone, with an end that contrasts to the rest of the story so greatly that is jars the reader. It is important to note though, that while the two books seem to take on rather varied tones and presentations, they both appear to lack a certain didactic quality, allowing readers to create their own conclusions and thoughts of the commentary rather than the stern dictation of thoughts and …show more content…
We have now established that we know it to be a satire of the hedonistic Hollywood lifestyle back then but it is now important to analyse the ways in which this is done. The first apparent commentary is on the motif of drug use employed throughout the story, in the form of ‘soma’. The satire of this particular element comes from the real life introduction and rise in popularity of aspirin during Huxley’s own life. Touted as the cure-all wonder drug essentially everyone was taking it for any reason. This is mirrored and magnified in Brave New World, as the population is now dependent on soma; ‘a gramme in time saves nine’. There arises a strong sense of irony from this as people don’t seems to question their use of the drug and reliance and reliance on it, as it contrasts to the attitudes associated with drug use; the reader is made to think “how is everybody okay with this?”. This leads on to the after effect of soma that is also another element being satirized by Huxley, which is the diminishment in autonomy experienced in this future society. ‘everyone belongs to everyone else’ is a common slogan touted by the government and the soma everyone is so reliant on only adds to this mentality, numbing people and essentially leading to their eventual control and relinquishing of autonomy; one is only allowed to think and feel a certain
‘a mode of writing that exposes the failings of individuals, institutions, or societies to ridicule and scorn. Satire is often an incidental element in literary works that may not be wholly satirical, especially in comedy. Its tone may vary from tolerant amusement, […] to bitter indignation […] The alternative form of 'indirect' satire …show more content…
The people of this dystopian future are all seemingly mind- and emotionless, at least in any complex way, and the real life attitudes to promiscuity and drug use are parodied and brought into question, probably based off Huxley’s own Hollywood experience. What sets these two satires apart however, is the overall tone and message they leave the reader with. In Brave New World, the futuristic World State in the year 2540 is one of dull stability and child-like gratification, but a more ambivalent approach seems to be adopted by the author when describing the world, its inhabitants and the final ending of the novel. This contrasts rather starkly to Vile Bodies, which seems to take a more moralistic tone, with an end that contrasts to the rest of the story so greatly that is jars the reader. It is important to note though, that while the two books seem to take on rather varied tones and presentations, they both appear to lack a certain didactic quality, allowing readers to create their own conclusions and thoughts of the commentary rather than the stern dictation of thoughts and …show more content…
We have now established that we know it to be a satire of the hedonistic Hollywood lifestyle back then but it is now important to analyse the ways in which this is done. The first apparent commentary is on the motif of drug use employed throughout the story, in the form of ‘soma’. The satire of this particular element comes from the real life introduction and rise in popularity of aspirin during Huxley’s own life. Touted as the cure-all wonder drug essentially everyone was taking it for any reason. This is mirrored and magnified in Brave New World, as the population is now dependent on soma; ‘a gramme in time saves nine’. There arises a strong sense of irony from this as people don’t seems to question their use of the drug and reliance and reliance on it, as it contrasts to the attitudes associated with drug use; the reader is made to think “how is everybody okay with this?”. This leads on to the after effect of soma that is also another element being satirized by Huxley, which is the diminishment in autonomy experienced in this future society. ‘everyone belongs to everyone else’ is a common slogan touted by the government and the soma everyone is so reliant on only adds to this mentality, numbing people and essentially leading to their eventual control and relinquishing of autonomy; one is only allowed to think and feel a certain