Kristina Schiano
Brave New World
MW12
In Aldous Huxley’s
Brave New World, every aspect of the
World State was controlled and monitored at all times. The Director, Mustafa
Mond, and others firmly believed that a person’s humanity could tear down a
society. They acted on the ideals that ignorance leads to happiness and tragedy
causes instability. To prevent humanity from taking over, they simply
eliminated it.
People no longer
had real choices because whatever they did had to be for the greatest good. The
concept of family and relationships were nonexistent because natural birth did
not occur. True love, whether it is between lovers or a parent with their
child, was not what the government wanted. Love was intentionally eliminated. Individuality
was also taken away because thousands of people looked the same. A person’s
entire life was even predestined when put into a caste, where the children are
conditioned to allow and prevent certain behaviors. Soma was created to
basically numb the mind and body. While on soma, a person’s thoughts could not
be clear, which was good for the World State because clear thought could lead
to a rebellion. Their minds would fall under a hallucination that shows they
are living a happy life in a wonderful place, which of course is a complete
lie.
What would be so
bad about humanity? The problem is the lack of control it leaves. The mysteries
of people’s emotions are seen as threats. Falling in love with someone strikes
up desire, passion, jealousy, and anger. Sex would not be an emotionless act like
the state wanted it to be. It would be the complete opposite. This would lead
to couples wanting to start a family and build a true life together, while planning
for the future. They may have hopes for a different lifestyle, job, or
opportunities that would not fit in the World State. This is exactly what is
trying be avoided. Hope is the enemy in this case. The state wants all of its
citizens to believe that the life that is offered is the best in the world.
This is why soma is extremely necessary. It eliminates clear thought, getting
rid of any signs of hope or wonder of a better life.
The use of
technology played a key role in how the society was run as well. People were
being monitored from the moment they were created. Full control was essential
to the government and the technological advances in science were the answer.
Conditioning methods were used to shape children’s minds in a way that could
benefit the state. Tests provoked fear for independent thought, travelling, and
basically any individualistic ideals. The children were then rewarded with
positive reinforcement when the test made things about the state seem utopian.
Propaganda was basically being spread nonstop throughout the state, which
eventually becomes like hypnosis. Adding soma into the mix creates an even more
powerful weapon that the state uses.
The
World State had clear goals, which it would do anything to achieve. Starting
from the removal of woman’s ovaries, to the Bokanovsky Process, to
conditioning, all of these affected the citizens from the moment they were
born. Then being put into castes that determine what your career would be,
consuming regular amounts of soma, and basically being able to show no
humanistic qualities, all led to the World State for the most part to be
victorious. Humanity was seen as the enemy, but what is the point of living if
you cannot really feel or do anything? I do not see a point at all.
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