Brave New WorldBrave New WorldBy: Ethan BlumBy: Ethan Blum

Background informationBackground information

Written by Aldous Written by Aldous Huxley in 1932Huxley in 1932

Criticized early-mid Criticized early-mid 1900’s society 1900’s society

Still pertains to todayStill pertains to today

Society Society

The book criticizes: The book criticizes: the lack of religionthe lack of religion the lack of emotionthe lack of emotion the superfluous the superfluous

happiness happiness

SummarySummary

Starts out with Lenina who is considering Starts out with Lenina who is considering to go to the Conservation with Bernard. to go to the Conservation with Bernard. They both go and meet a Caucasian man They both go and meet a Caucasian man who was raised there named John. John who was raised there named John. John and his mother are brought back to BNW and his mother are brought back to BNW society. John is introduced to all of the society. John is introduced to all of the things BNW has to offer. things BNW has to offer.

Summary (Cont)Summary (Cont)

Once John’s mother dies he experiences a Once John’s mother dies he experiences a mental breakdown and is brought to the mental breakdown and is brought to the Controller. After he is denied a return to Controller. After he is denied a return to his society, he runs away in isolation and his society, he runs away in isolation and purifies himself. This is witnessed by purifies himself. This is witnessed by some BNW citizens and is publicized by some BNW citizens and is publicized by the media. The novel ends with John the media. The novel ends with John committing suicide. committing suicide. For a more detailed For a more detailed summary check out In a Nutshell.summary check out In a Nutshell.

Themes Themes

There are many There are many themes in Huxley’s themes in Huxley’s novel. However, the novel. However, the themes that stand out themes that stand out are alienation, are alienation, happiness, and happiness, and religion. religion. For more For more detailed analysis of detailed analysis of each theme check out each theme check out the Themes pagethe Themes page

Themes (alienation)Themes (alienation) John is alienated from the John is alienated from the

Indians because he is not Indians because he is not of their raceof their race

Bernard is alienated Bernard is alienated because of his Alpha-because of his Alpha-status and short stature. status and short stature. He also enjoys being He also enjoys being alonealone

Helmhotz is above Helmhotz is above everyone else mentally everyone else mentally and physically, but can and physically, but can not truly engage with not truly engage with people.people.

Themes (happiness)Themes (happiness)

The only happiness in The only happiness in BNW is short-lived. BNW is short-lived.

There is no meaning There is no meaning to anything to anything

Huxley’s message is Huxley’s message is that to have true that to have true happiness, one must happiness, one must have meaning in lifehave meaning in life

Themes (religion)Themes (religion)

Religion causes a Religion causes a deep connection with deep connection with the spiritual world the spiritual world

It could lead to It could lead to questions about life questions about life and society)and society)

This causes This causes

instability instability within within BNW societyBNW society

SymbolsSymbols

There are many There are many symbols in Huxley’s symbols in Huxley’s novel. novel.

The ones that stand The ones that stand out are soma, out are soma, “horizontal hustle”, “horizontal hustle”, and technology. and technology.

For more detailed For more detailed analysis of each analysis of each symbol check out the symbol check out the Symbols pageSymbols page

SomaSoma

Soma is a narcotic Soma is a narcotic used by much of the used by much of the populace for populace for immediate happinessimmediate happiness Also used for spiritual Also used for spiritual

effects, but without the effects, but without the actual religious actual religious componentcomponent

““Chicken parmesan”Chicken parmesan”

““Horizontal hustle”, Horizontal hustle”, “chicken parmesan”, “chicken parmesan”, or you may call it as or you may call it as you wish, is also used you wish, is also used in the book for instant in the book for instant happiness. Unlike a happiness. Unlike a moral society there moral society there are no emotions are no emotions attached to this act attached to this act

TechnologyTechnology

Technology is used in Technology is used in the book for instant the book for instant gratification too. gratification too. These new ways to These new ways to do things make it a lot do things make it a lot easier for the person easier for the person to accomplish simple to accomplish simple tasks. In the book the tasks. In the book the citizens use so much citizens use so much advance technology advance technology that they are lazy.that they are lazy.

More help?More help?

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THE ENDTHE END