Novel Project

Critical essay “Brave New World”

To find the historical significance of Brave New World you must do some intensive research and as I did read some other essays relating to this topic. In this essay I will talk about how this novel is a fine work of literature. I will also try to explain why this book should be read and discussed in a literature class. Another thing I would like to discuss and explain is the main idea Huxley is trying to get across by writing this novel.
“In the first chapter, the D.H.C. proudly explains the biochemical technology that makes possible the production of virtually identical human beings and, in doing so, introduces Huxley’s theme of individuality under assault”(Cliff Notes). This author clearly states the main topic of the novel. The main idea of the novel was to open the readers mind to the fact that the governments in this world are taking away the right to think and function as an individual. Many things going on around Huxley’s time lead him to believe this. Huxley was clearly taking the current events during his time and tying them into his book to explain in a fictional world what is happening in the real world.
Huxley argues, control through reward poses a greater threat to human freedom because, unlike punishment it can be introduced unconsciously and continued indefinitely, with the approval and support of the people being controlled (Cliff notes). What the author is saying is pretty simple, society will become numb to the fact that the government is controlling them because, the government in turn is giving the people something that takes their worries away and at the same time puts them in a state of mind were they can be controlled. This is what Huxley wants us to realize and prevent from happening. Huxley believes in a free minded and individualistic society.
“The literal consumption of soma-like drugs also captures Huxley’s attention. By the 1950s, readily available tranquilizers adjusted people to a maladjusted culture, smoothing out any inconvenient instincts of resistance, just as a soma- holiday eliminated the recognition of unhappiness”(cliff notes). So as you can see the government during Huxley’s time was already inventing soma like drugs to numb people to the reality of life. This is another example used by Huxley to prove his point that the government is slowly taking control over the minds of individuals. This is a prime example of the government controlling people by rewarding them. “Soma distribution!” shouted a loud voice. “In good order please. Hurry up there”, this is an example from BNW where all the kids are lined up to receive soma. All the kids get excited to receive there soma pills and at the same time are blinded to the fact that the pills are being used to brain wash them. This and many other ways is how Huxley tries to make us realize that the government will reward us and keep us satisfied but at the same tie start to manipulate the way we act.
The use of the assembly line by the Ford motor company was also tied in to the story. In the book the people kept saying “Oh Ford” and they would refer to Ford as God. The reason for this was because Ford had invented the assembly line which was used for the mass production of humans (In BNW). Huxley probably saw the affect the assembly line had on the production of cars and how society looked up to Henry Ford as a great person for his great invention. Here is another example of the assembly line being used in the book “Slowly, majestically, with a faint humming of machinery, the Conveyors moved forward, thirty-three centimeters an hour”. So as you can see Ford was deified for creating the main fundamentals used to keep society at a balance in BNW.

This book should definitely be used in a literature class. The book is not a boring book at all and it has a lot to do with what is going on around us. Huxley probably did not intend BNW to a prophetic piece of literature but it has definitely become one. Huxley wants us as society to open our eyes and see that the government is trying to take away our individualism. “In general, Huxley warns his readers that they may be talking themselves into accepting a world that they would reject, if only they were fully conscious of its nature. But, distracted by consumerism and pleasure, people seldom truly engage the reality they are living, just as the citizens of the brave new world seldom recognize the restraints of their society. Unconscious manipulation through language—propaganda—keeps individual minds open to any suggestions, even the most inhuman’ (cliff notes). This is why the book should be read in literature class not just because it is a good prophecy but because it opens up the minds of its readers and that is what literature class should be all about. Literature should be about making your mind more aware of your surroundings and introducing you to new ideas.
Reading this book really opened up my mind to a lot of things which I did not realize before. The whole concept of the government taking away our individuality was new to me. I am now more open minded about the way life should be and how our individuality is so important. This is a fantastic book and I highly recommend it to all book readers out there.