Because Aldous Huxley was concerned about the dangers of scientific progress, he wrote a novel predicting a future in which technology dominates mankind. In Huxley’s Brave New World, John perceives the New World society – which he had high hopes for – as wicked, disgusting, and foolish. John disagrees with many aspects of this morally corrupt society: open sexuality, hypnopaedia, use of a brainwashing drug, and lack of individualism. During his experience in the New World, John befriends Bernard and Helmholtz, who both reject some of the society’s principles. Realizing that technology can control mankind, Huxley warns the readers the dangers of this possible dystopia through the experiences of the characters. Although Bernard Marx feels rebellious
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When Bernard invites John to live outside the uncivilized Savage Reservation, John imagines the New World to be a perfect society, where everyone lives peacefully: “O brave new world, O brave new world that has such people in it. Let’s start at once” (Huxley 139). Huxley parallels how people during his time were excited about scientific progress to how John is excited about living in a civilized society. Having this hopeful mindset, John thinks technology cannot corrupt human nature, as he sees them as useful contributions to the society. However, Huxley believes people would be dissatisfied with a technologically advanced society. As John tours around the New World society, he becomes disappointed with many aspects of the society, such as the use of soma and the way the government brainwashes children to serve their nation. While on a date with Lenina, he watches a feelie, or a sexually arousing movie, and replies to her, “this horrible film…was ignoble” (Huxley 170). Because the audiences appreciate the feelie, John realizes how shallow these citizens are as they gain pleasure through physical interactions rather than through the beauty of the insignificant aspects of life, such as nature. Seeing other citizens comfortable with the way the society functions, John feels he cannot fit into the society, similar to Bernard. By describing John’s horror after touring the society, Huxley warns his readers to not let present-day society become this
When Bernard invites John to live outside the uncivilized Savage Reservation, John imagines the New World to be a perfect society, where everyone lives peacefully: “O brave new world, O brave new world that has such people in it. Let’s start at once” (Huxley 139). Huxley parallels how people during his time were excited about scientific progress to how John is excited about living in a civilized society. Having this hopeful mindset, John thinks technology cannot corrupt human nature, as he sees them as useful contributions to the society. However, Huxley believes people would be dissatisfied with a technologically advanced society. As John tours around the New World society, he becomes disappointed with many aspects of the society, such as the use of soma and the way the government brainwashes children to serve their nation. While on a date with Lenina, he watches a feelie, or a sexually arousing movie, and replies to her, “this horrible film…was ignoble” (Huxley 170). Because the audiences appreciate the feelie, John realizes how shallow these citizens are as they gain pleasure through physical interactions rather than through the beauty of the insignificant aspects of life, such as nature. Seeing other citizens comfortable with the way the society functions, John feels he cannot fit into the society, similar to Bernard. By describing John’s horror after touring the society, Huxley warns his readers to not let present-day society become this