Recently, I finished re-reading one of my new favorite novels, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. From the beginning pages to the end, the reader is immersed in a dystopian future that exaggerates the potential of genetic engineering, medicine, and mass production to cultivate a society that is “always happy”, but at the same time enslaved. While similar in nature to 1984 in the sense that it depicts a perceivably irremovable totalitarian regime, the tactics of each regime are entirely different. While the Oceanic government in 1984 is brutal and oppressive, the government in Brave New World encourages indulgence and vice as a way to control the population by their base appetites. Namely, Huxley develops the idea of controlling and enslaving citizens through their passions and instincts.
One major motif in Brave New World that conveys how human desire can be used as a method of control is the consumption of Soma, a euphoric and hallucinogenic drug. The ubiquitous substance is given to workers in daily rations that can either be used manufacture a slight high or a “holiday”, where one is only semi-conscious for an extended period of time. Soma is uniformly considered an immediate cure for any problem one may face, or a way to enhance one of the many recreational activities the population is encouraged to engage in. Ironically, it is the use of this drug that “the Savage”, a character from a tribal reservation that is brought back to “civilization” in the name of scientific experimentation, takes the biggest problem with. His mother Linda becomes addicted to the euphoria of the drug when taken back to “civilization” and is allowed to essentially overdose by her doctor. Even while the use of Soma does not result in an overdose for most people in the society, it represents how their sense of pleasure and happiness has been confined to a substance that they are reliant upon.
Another major motif in Brave New World that connects control with allowing the indulgence of passions is in the encouragement of promiscuity and prohibiting monogamy. The employment of genetic engineering in Brave New World, which applies Henry Ford’s mass production techniques to biological reproduction, excludes the need for sex as a means of reproduction. Marriage and childbearing are hence considered taboo, as well as real relationships and romanticism. Promiscuity is not only a social suggestion but also strictly enforced, as those with too few partners or those who sleep with the same person for a while may fall under the suspicion of the government. Similar to Soma, this aspect of “civilization” is heavily scrutinized by “the Savage” who desires marriage with Lenina, a girl he is heavily attracted to. His intention to develop a real relationship with her and avoid fornication confuses her, and eventually leads him to be fully ostracized by those around him. Widespread promiscuity keeps the population complacent to their desires and ensures the success of the genetic engineering apparatus, but it prevents them form experiencing any of the true happiness associate with marriage and real relationship.
I love dystopian books, but I never got around to read this one. It definitely sounds interesting though, so I might give it a try. I like how you used a lot of vivid words like, “immersed and ubiquitous.” It’s interesting to see how this book relates to the classic 1984 and how the tactics of both oppressive governments are so different.
While I haven’t read this novel, your summarization of it makes me seem like it would be something I’m interested in! While your entire entry was engaging and opened my eyes to a book I wouldn’t have known about otherwise, I am especially fond of your use of the word “ostracize”. I feel this verb shows truly how reliant this culture is on Soma to the point that any natural relationship, without the use of euphoric drugs, is lessened to worthlessness.
I replaced the verb utilization in the 3rd paragraph with employed to create a diversity of verbs and to further illustrate the extent to which genetic engineering serves as the fundamental
“machine” that allows this society to function.
I usually don’t read dystopian novels, but your description of this one was really intriguing and I would like to read it. You did a great job avoiding the “to be” verbs. A vivid verb I especially liked was the use of the word “confined” to describe how the characters can only experience happiness when on the drug due to all the restrictions in their lives.