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Sci-Fi Juggernauts: Brave New World

February 4, 2008

Aldous Huxley's masterpiece gets the Juggernaut once-over.
by Sinjin Jones

0060535261.jpgThere are dozens of classic novels that fall under the category of “must-read” science fiction. Throughout this year, I will examine why a handful of these particular works are absolutely essential additions to everyone's reading list, even those who do not consider themselves science fiction fans.

"That is the secret of happiness and virtue — liking what you’ve got to do. All conditioning aims at that: making people like their inescapable social destiny."
~The Director, Brave New World

     With its imaginative use of metaphors and common sci-fi themes, Brave New World stands apart from most modern science fiction because of its keen ability to remain almost comical while exploring the serious issues of humanity.
     The novel follows the story of Bernard Marx, an inhabitant of a future society in which babies are created in Hatcheries and the world’s problems are solved by a miracle drug known as Soma. Bernard is often looked down upon because he isn't as promiscuous as society would like him to be - it is frowned upon to be with one woman for any extended length of time. He has always felt different and he is granted the opportunity to view the "savage" culture (basically the Native American cultures of America who have been left out of this “perfect” society) when he goes on vacation with a co-worker, Lenina. He meets a young Savage named John and feels that John is a kindred spirit. Soon, however, Bernard begins to see him as an opportunity to gain respect and standing in the community. John is somewhat of a novelty for the citizens, being a “savage” from the outside, and he is also the son of a high-ranking official in the government. Therefore he becomes an object of power for Bernard.
     The most interesting aspect of this novel, besides the story, comes with examination of the world in which Bernard resides. Promiscuity is encouraged and becoming intimate with any one person is highly frowned upon. Huxley has fashioned a world where, contrary to novels like 1984, passion is not used as a system of control; it is nonexistent. If ever a citizen has an issue, rather than becoming angry, stressed, or depressed, they douse the flames with Soma - a pharmaceutical drug that has been created to control the masses. “A gramme in time saves nine,” states Lenina, showing how catch phrases have been invented to remind citizens how to act. The leaders of the world have realized that intimidation and fear only go so far because they eventually create resentment; therefore, they have resorted to genetic engineering, subconscious mind control techniques, and mind-altering drugs.
     In the world that Huxley has created, no longer are people allowed to birth their own children; rather, all newborns are hatched through a process of engineering majesty modeled after Henry Ford's (the culture’s God) assembly line. In this manner, a caste system of sorts is created as only those hatched as Alphas can do the intelligent jobs, while those hatched as Beta, Gamma, Delta, or Epsilon are mentally inferior by birth and may only do work fitting their class. This idea is heavily entwined with our world and seems almost an exaggerated version of the prejudice our everyday culture experiences. The Alphas see themselves as intellectually superior to all lower classes and therefore show malice toward them.
     A big theme in Brave New World is the question: what is happiness? The leaders of this society believe that they have granted humanity complete happiness in exchange for freedom. The truth of the matter is that the citizens of the society live colorless, grey lives of ignorance - hence the most prominent color in the novel is grey. The only bright colored person in the novel, John the Savage, has realized that happiness is not ignorance. In fact, he embodies the idea that happiness is merely the knowledge of self-worth - that which Alphas and Epsilons alike fail to acquire. He knows himself as an individual and not as a member of the collective. True happiness comes from freedom, not slavery.
     In our modern world, we tend to equate acceptance with happiness, but here Huxley explores the truth that oftentimes being happy means being the outsider. Throughout the novel, Bernard suffers constantly because he is looked down upon for being different. He neither fits in his society nor at the Savage Reservation. While visiting, he sees true happiness in the Savage and envies it. Bernard exemplifies the struggle to find freedom in a world of slavery. He is in constant pain and Huxley uses this to suggest that one cannot have true freedom without pain and suffering. The citizens live lives of serene ignorance but, in reality, they are not happy; they are soul-less and empty. Only when Bernard realizes this can he be truly happy.
     The magnificence of this novel comes with the knowledge that, while reading through this story laden with intricate and arguably dark themes, the writing is smooth and almost comical in presentation. The book retains a very light mood and remains entertaining until the final word upon the final page. For those who are interested in a supremely entertaining novel that contrasts darker dystopian books like 1984 or even for those looking for a science fiction novel that will challenge their intellect, look no further than Brave New World.
 

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Written by Sinjin Jones · Filed Under Books, Headlines, Living & Arts