Brave New World
First Personal Response
At this point in the book, there are various behavioral patterns becoming evident in the population of the brave new world. Their affinity for hallucinogenic drugs and large orgies are astounding. The savages are also of interest, especially their religious habits.
Even when the female lead of the book is stranded in the savage land, her wanton desire for drugs shows itself. The savages offer her peyotyl, but for her itÕs not the same because she is not used to the ÒlowÓ that accompanies all illicit drugs, except for the perfect drug that embodies the civilized society. Once again this shows HuxleyÕs affection for all things illicit. He dreams of soma, the perfect high which is not reciprocated by any sort of crash. Having the savages use peyotyl is his way of saying ÒHey! these guys are really primitive compared to the new society. TheyÕre using the same drugs as me!Ó
The peoplesÕ sick fetish for large orgies is enough to make me ill. They make love seem obligatory and rigid. This could quite possibly be HuxleyÕs way of mocking the ideas of love in his own society. in an age of sex, drugs, rock nÕ roll, and voracious exploitation of the human body, Huxley realizes that love has strayed from its true meaning and become something purely physical.
The ÔsavageÕ aboriginal people that have been alienated by the people of the brave new world because they refused to give in and conform are modeled after the radical religious of our own day. Their obsessive belief is in a God that comprises aspects of Christianity and Native American religions (interesting outcomes). The result is a strict moral code with masochistic rituals, tribal mentalities, clearly defined male and female roles, and complex rites of initiation. the author creates a powerful effect by including the fact that John the savage is alienated by the true savages. The reaction of the woman who used to be part of the civilization when the female lead arrives in her hovel is very well written and powerful. Her flagrant, modern beliefs that shock the savages with blatant promiscuity and disgusting drug habits have not even been remotely assimilated to the popular beliefs of those around her.
All in all I am happy to this point in the book. I am anxious to find out what will happen next. I have to wonder what the fate of John the savage will be in the new world. The author amuses me by toying with his uneasiness among a totally different people.
Brave New World
Second Personal Response
As I have now completed the reading of Aldous HuxleyÕs brilliant novel, Brave New World, I can clearly see how this incredible work of fiction may have had a great impact on modern society. HuxleyÕs work, coupled with George OrwellÕs 1984 and the less well known We by the Russian author Zamia Tin. With all of their extreme and bizarre takes on the future of their world, HuxleyÕs anti-utopia has proven to be the most accurate.
As opposed to the fascist world dominated by the fear of the ultimate power which was presented in 1984, the picture painted by Huxley is one of a people who thrive on infinite pleasure. Our world, where the theories of Sigmund Freud on people trying to duplicate the homeostatic state of the womb are becoming more and more valid, is very much like this in that we constantly strive to make ourselves feel ÒcomfortableÓ and Òat homeÓ.
This state presented in Brave New World could be indicative of HuxleyÕs morals and values. Perhaps the pleasure-intoxicated world he created are satirical of the people around him. Is he really against the frivolous squandering of our natural resources and our eventual drifting away from the now-dilapidated majesty of mother nature? This probability would be heavily indicative of parallels between HuxleyÕs mind set and that of transcendentalist author Henry David Thoreau, whose brilliant and inciteful comments in such works as Walden may have inspired the author of Brave New World.
A topic of particular interest to me is that of the theme of hallucinogenic drugs which is accentuated by the author. In the world where everyone has a place, there still seems to be room for a little bit of artificial joy. In fact, the drug called Soma has integrated itself into the brave new culture to such a great extent that it is subjected to an eerie sort of idolatry. As Huxley proposes in his essay The Doors of Perception, he believes that the use of such substances are the only way in which one can experience what it is like to be a genius, a virtuoso, or a maniac. Perhaps the fact that such social anomalies have been abolished in the new society is because of the extensive presence of mind altering chemical substances. Is this what the author would have thought?
In conclusion, I have been very impressed by the content of this book. I can only hope that the next one that I read are as good. I wish that all people, especially those who are my age, should experience the pleasure that comes from absorbing the wisdom of Aldous HuxleyÕs masterpiece, which I hope will live on forever.
Brave New World
Third Personal Response
The final segment of this book has left me stunned. The savage killing himself was the final touch on the cake of Aldous HuxleyÕs anti-utopia. Then there is the surprise of the fact that the Òhigh classÓ citizen impregnated the savageÕs mother and left her for dead on the reserve. Finally, the vivid allusions to Shakespeare.
The shocking suicide at the end of the book shows HuxleyÕs final affirmation that the new society does not function properly. The savage represents the common sense of the societyand the logic brought to the world by Huxley.
Then there is the surprise that a member of the ruling class impregnated the mother of the savage. This shows that no matter how ÒperfectÓ a society is, thee will always be a myriad of flaws. This act goes totally against the demeanor of the new people since not only does the man impregnate the woman, but he abandons her carelessly without pondering the consequeces that this action may have on the future of his carreeer.
One of the most noticeable recurring themes in Brave New World is that of the appreciation of literature. Obviously reverent of his fellow author, Huxley inserts Shakespeare as a banned text of the new society. The leader, Mustapha Mond, who shares the savageÕs appreciation of Shakespeare, says that in some cases me must sacrifice things like literature in order to achieve a higher success for the society.
The final leg of this book is by far the most enthralling and absorbing. I am very glad that I have read and appreciated this book and I hope that in the future I will have the good sense to choose books as good (or better) as this one.
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