essay ideas for brave new world

Presentations made painless

• Get Premium

125 Brave New World Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is a captivating dystopian novel that explores themes of technology, totalitarianism, and the dehumanizing effects of a society driven by consumerism. As a result, it has become a popular choice for essay topics in literature classes. If you're looking for inspiration for your next Brave New World essay, here are 125 topic ideas and examples to get you started:

• The role of technology in Brave New World.
• The impact of genetic engineering on society.
• The use of conditioning and mind control in the novel.
• The portrayal of sex and relationships in Brave New World.
• The concept of happiness in a dystopian society.
• The dehumanizing effects of consumerism in the novel.
• The role of the Savage Reservation in contrasting the World State.
• The significance of the title "Brave New World."
• The portrayal of religion and spirituality in the novel.
• The role of drugs and soma in maintaining social control.
• The portrayal of family and parenthood in Brave New World.
• The critique of scientific progress in the novel.
• The theme of individuality versus conformity.
• The role of art and literature in a society devoid of creativity.
• The portrayal of women in Brave New World.
• The critique of capitalism in the novel.
• The role of the individual in a collectivist society.
• The portrayal of aging and mortality in Brave New World.
• The critique of the education system in the novel.
• The use of propaganda and manipulation in maintaining social order.
• The role of the Controller in shaping the World State.
• The portrayal of nature and the natural world in Brave New World.
• The critique of consumer culture in the novel.
• The role of technology in controlling individual thoughts and desires.
• The portrayal of happiness versus truth in Brave New World.
• The critique of eugenics and genetic engineering in the novel.
• The role of sex and sexuality in shaping society.
• The portrayal of the caste system in Brave New World.
• The critique of mass production and commodification in the novel.
• The role of history and memory in a society that seeks to erase the past.
• The portrayal of rebellion and resistance in Brave New World.
• The critique of social conditioning and indoctrination in the novel.
• The role of science and technology in Brave New World.
• The portrayal of identity and self-discovery in the novel.
• The critique of totalitarianism in Brave New World.
• The role of soma as a tool for social control.
• The portrayal of love and emotional connections in the novel.
• The critique of a society devoid of emotions and individuality.
• The role of art and creativity in challenging the status quo.
• The portrayal of power and authority in Brave New World.
• The critique of a society driven by instant gratification.
• The role of conditioning in shaping individual beliefs and behaviors.
• The portrayal of happiness as a collective rather than individual pursuit.
• The critique of a society that values conformity over individuality.
• The role of technology in erasing individual privacy and autonomy.
• The portrayal of social class and inequality in Brave New World.
• The critique of a society that values efficiency over human connection.
• The role of soma as a metaphor for escapism and self-medication.
• The portrayal of science as both beneficial and dangerous in the novel.
• The critique of a society that suppresses emotions and desires.
• The role of consumerism in shaping individual identities in Brave New World.
• The portrayal of love as a tool for control in the novel.
• The critique of a society that values conformity over critical thinking.
• The role of technology in perpetuating social control and surveillance.
• The portrayal of the World State as a totalitarian regime.
• The critique of a society that values stability over personal freedom.
• The role of soma in suppressing individual desires and ambitions.
• The portrayal of the individual's struggle against societal norms in Brave New World.
• The critique of a society that values efficiency over human emotions.
• The role of propaganda in shaping public opinion in the novel.
• The portrayal of the World State as a dystopian society.
• The critique of a society that values conformity over personal growth.
• The role of conditioning in shaping individual beliefs and values.
• The portrayal of technology as a tool for social control in Brave New World.
• The critique of a society that values stability over individuality.
• The role of soma in maintaining social order and control.
• The portrayal of the individual's quest for freedom and authenticity in the novel.
• The critique of a society that values pleasure over meaningful relationships.
• The role of technology in suppressing individual creativity and imagination.
• The portrayal of the World State as a dehumanizing society.
• The critique of a society that values conformity over personal autonomy.
• The role of conditioning in shaping individual desires and aspirations.
• The portrayal of technology as a means of social control in Brave New World.
• The critique of a society that values stability over personal happiness.
• The role of soma in numbing individual emotions and desires.
• The portrayal of the individual's struggle against societal expectations in the novel.
• The role of propaganda in shaping public perception in the novel.
• The portrayal of the World State as a totalitarian regime bent on control.
• The critique of a society that values conformity over personal fulfillment.
• The role of conditioning in shaping individual beliefs and values in Brave New World.
• The portrayal of technology as a tool for social manipulation in the novel.
• The critique of a society that values stability over personal freedom and growth.
• The role of soma in suppressing individual thoughts and desires.
• The portrayal of the individual's rebellion against societal norms in Brave New World.
• The critique of a society that values pleasure over authentic human experiences.
• The role of technology in eradicating individuality and diversity.
• The portrayal of the World State as a soulless and dehumanizing society.
• The critique of a society that values conformity over personal integrity.
• The role of conditioning in shaping individual desires and motivations in the novel.
• The portrayal of technology as a means of social engineering in Brave New World.
• The critique of a society that values stability over personal happiness and growth.
• The role of soma in numbing individual emotions and passions.
• The portrayal of the individual's struggle for authenticity in the face of societal pressures.
• The critique of a society that values efficiency over human connection and empathy.
• The role of propaganda in shaping public opinion and maintaining social control.
• The portrayal of the World State as a totalitarian regime that suppresses individuality.
• The critique of a society that values conformity over personal fulfillment and purpose.
• The portrayal of technology as a tool for social manipulation and surveillance in the novel.
• The portrayal of the individual's rebellion against societal norms and expectations in Brave New World.
• The critique of a society that values pleasure over authentic human experiences and connections.
• The role of technology in eradicating individuality and diversity in Brave New World.
• The portrayal of the World State as a soulless and dehumanizing society that diminishes individual worth.
• The critique of a society that values conformity over personal integrity and moral agency.
• The portrayal of technology as a means of social engineering and control in Brave New World.
• The critique of a society that values stability over personal happiness, growth, and self-discovery.
• The portrayal of the individual's struggle for authenticity and autonomy in the face of societal pressures.
• The critique of a society that values efficiency over human connection, empathy, and genuine relationships.
• The role of propaganda in shaping public opinion, erasing history, and maintaining social control.
• The portrayal of the World State as a totalitarian regime that suppresses individuality and independent thought.
• The critique of a society that values conformity over personal fulfillment, purpose, and moral responsibility.
• The role of conditioning in shaping individual beliefs, values, and behaviors in Brave New World.
• The portrayal of technology as a tool for social manipulation, surveillance, and the erosion of privacy in the novel.
• The critique of a society that values stability over personal freedom, growth, and the pursuit of truth.
• The role of soma in suppressing individual thoughts, desires, and the capacity for critical thinking.
• The portrayal of the individual's rebellion against societal norms, expectations, and the loss of personal identity in Brave New World.
• The critique of a society that values pleasure and instant gratification over authentic human experiences, emotions, and connections.
• The role of technology in eradicating individuality, diversity, and the natural world in Brave New World.
• The portrayal of the World State as a soulless and dehumanizing society that diminishes the worth of the individual and disregards human dignity.
• The critique of a society that values conformity over personal integrity, moral agency, and the pursuit of a meaningful existence.

These essay topic ideas and examples are sure to provide you with a solid foundation for exploring the complex themes and ideas presented in Brave New World. Whether you choose to analyze the role of technology, critique societal values, or delve into the portrayal of different characters, remember to support your arguments with evidence from the text to create a compelling and thought-provoking essay.

Want to create a presentation now?

Instantly Create A Deck

Let PitchGrade do this for me

Hassle Free

We will create your text and designs for you. Sit back and relax while we do the work.

Explore More Content

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Service

© 2023 Pitchgrade

35 Brave New World Essay Topics

Table of Contents

Choosing the Right “Brave New World” Essay Topic

Selecting an intriguing essay topic on Aldous Huxley’s dystopian novel, “Brave New World,” can set the stage for your instructor’s first impression of your work. If the topic naturally piques your interest, writing becomes more effortless. Ideally, narrow down topics, as they tend to provide clearer direction. However, before you embark on writing, ensure you have an organized outline and adequate sources to support your essay.

Potential Essay Topics on “Brave New World”

• Character Discontentment: Explore why characters like Bernard and John are dissatisfied in society compared to others. Example .
• Realism of the Caste System: Analyze the book’s caste system – is it realistic or mere fiction?
• Sacrifices for Greater Good: Identify instances in the novel where citizens endure hardships for a more significant cause.
• Religion vs. Science: Using the plot of Brave New World , discuss the roles of religion and science in the novel’s society.
• John’s Uniqueness: Examine John’s differences from the rest of the nation’s people.
• Illusion of Contentment: Argue why such a government form would be detrimental, even if its citizens seem content.
• Perfection vs. Imperfection: Does the novel portray an ideal or flawed world?
• Dehumanization: Identify the techniques of dehumanization depicted in the story.
• Happiness vs. Reality: Delve into the question of whether a society can be genuinely happy and yet grounded in reality.
• Relevance Today: Discuss parallels between the book’s themes and today’s world. How has Huxley’s vision impacted our modern perspective?

Symbolism and Motifs in Beowulf

• The role of dragons in ancient literature and Beowulf.
• The significance of the mead hall and community bonding.
• Water’s symbolic role in Beowulf’s challenges and battles.
• The representation of light and darkness in the poem.
• The importance of armor and shields in the poem.

Historical and Cultural Context

• Beowulf’s relationship with historical Scandinavian events.
• How Beowulf reflects Anglo-Saxon values and beliefs.
• Paganism vs. Christianity in Beowulf.
• The societal structure and its influence on the narrative.
• The depiction of funeral rites and their significance.

Character Analyses

• Unferth’s role and contrast with Beowulf.
• The depiction of women: Wealhtheow and Grendel’s mother.
• King Hrothgar’s leadership vs. Beowulf’s heroism.
• The significance of Wiglaf and the idea of loyalty.
• Analyzing Aeschere’s importance to Hrothgar and the story.

Narrative Techniques and Literary Devices

• The role of the scop (bard) in Beowulf.
• The use of kennings and their impact on imagery.
• Alliteration and its rhythmic role in Beowulf.
• The function of epic similes in the poem.
• The influence of oral tradition on the narrative style.

Themes and Philosophies

• The concept of fate (wyrd) in Beowulf.
• The price of pride and its consequences.
• The exploration of mortality and legacy.
• The balance between courage and recklessness.
• Revenge as a driving force in Beowulf.

Comparative Analyses

• Beowulf and modern superheroes: parallels and contrasts.
• Comparing Beowulf to other epics like “The Iliad” or “Gilgamesh”.
• Beowulf and the Norse sagas: similarities and differences.
• The idea of the monstrous in Beowulf vs. other literature.
• Beowulf’s influence on Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings”.

Broader Perspectives

• Beowulf’s relevance in the 21st century.
• The challenges and merits of translating Beowulf.
• How adaptations (like movies or novels) have interpreted Beowulf.
• The depiction of heroism in Beowulf vs. modern culture.
• The ethics and values presented in Beowulf and their applicability today.

In-depth Explorations

• The importance of loyalty and kinship in the poem.
• The nature of evil: Analyzing Grendel and his lineage.
• The concept of legacy in Beowulf’s final act.
• The depiction of aging and its impact on heroism.
• The influence of external forces, like God or fate, on characters’ decisions.

Beowulf’s Battles

• A detailed look into Beowulf’s battle with the dragon.
• Strategy and might: The takedown of Grendel.
• Psychological warfare: Beowulf vs. Grendel’s mother.
• The consequences and aftermath of each of Beowulf’s battles.
• The role of supernatural vs. human strength in Beowulf’s combat scenes.

Engaging Ideas to Explore

• Elements of Personality: Explore the personality traits emphasized in the World State.
• Sexuality and Roles: Examine the portrayal and significance of sexuality in the world state.
• Societal Conflicts: Identify and discuss the main conflicts present within the novel’s society.
• Marriage and Relationships: Dive into how relationships, especially marriage, are perceived and executed in this dystopian setting.
• Drugs and Contentment: Discuss the use of drugs in the society and their impact on achieving personal contentment.

Further Assistance

There’s a plethora of essay topics centered around “Brave New World.” If you struggle to pinpoint the perfect topic or formulating your essay, consider reaching out to professional platforms like writeondeadline.com for expert guidance.

For more in-depth analyses and essay samples, check out our ‘do my essay online’ service. With our expertise, you can ensure your essay stands out and meets your deadline.

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Books — Brave New World

Essays on Brave New World

Brave new world essay topics and outline examples, essay title 1: dystopian themes in "brave new world": a critical analysis of social control, consumerism, and individuality.

Thesis Statement: This essay explores the dystopian themes in Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World," focusing on the concepts of social control, consumerism, and the suppression of individuality, and examines their relevance to contemporary society.

• Introduction
• Dystopian Elements: Defining Characteristics of "Brave New World"
• Social Control: The Role of Soma, Conditioning, and Surveillance
• Consumerism: The Pursuit of Pleasure and the Commodification of Life
• Suppression of Individuality: The Conformity of Citizens in the World State
• Relevance to Contemporary Society: Analyzing Parallels and Warnings
• Conclusion: Reflecting on the Ongoing Significance of Huxley's Vision

Essay Title 2: The Role of Technology in "Brave New World": Examining the Impact of Genetic Engineering, Conditioning, and Entertainment

Thesis Statement: This essay investigates the pervasive role of technology in "Brave New World," specifically genetic engineering, conditioning, and entertainment, and analyzes how these elements shape the society portrayed in the novel.

• Technological Advancements: Genetic Engineering and the Creation of Citizens
• Behavioral Conditioning: Shaping Beliefs and Social Roles
• Entertainment and Distraction: The Use of Soma, Feelies, and Escapism
• Impact on Social Order: Maintaining Stability Through Technology
• Critique of Technology: The Dangers and Ethical Questions Raised
• Conclusion: Reflecting on the Relationship Between Technology and Society

Essay Title 3: Character Analysis in "Brave New World": Exploring the Development of John "the Savage" and Bernard Marx

Thesis Statement: This essay provides a comprehensive character analysis of John "the Savage" and Bernard Marx in "Brave New World," examining their backgrounds, motivations, and the roles they play in challenging the societal norms of the World State.

• John "the Savage": Origins, Beliefs, and Struggle for Identity
• Bernard Marx: The Outsider and His Quest for Authenticity
• Comparative Analysis: Contrasting the Journeys of John and Bernard
• Impact on the World State: How These Characters Challenge the System
• Symbolism and Themes: Analyzing Their Roles in the Novel
• Conclusion: Reflecting on the Complex Characters of "Brave New World"

Modern Conflict in Brave New World

Johns suicide in brave new world, made-to-order essay as fast as you need it.

Each essay is customized to cater to your unique preferences

+ experts online

Reservation in Brave New World

The brave new world as a consumerism society, brave new world and 21st century, the brave new world dystopia and assimilation, let us write you an essay from scratch.

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

The Relation of Brave New World to Our Society Today

Lack of individuality in huxley's brave new world, brave new world vs today: a comparative analysis of lifestyles, brave new world and the human condition: the cost of stability, get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

Expert-written essays crafted with your exact needs in mind

Ascertaining Whether The Brave New World is Actually Brave

The lessons aldous huxley teaches us in brave new world, the shakespearean dystopia of aldous huxley, controlling the mind and society in 1984 and brave new world, the theme of cloning in brave new world, a review of brave new world by aldous huxley and its similarity in society today, the hidden barbarism of a restricted society in brave new world, evaluation of brave new world, a novel by aldous huxley, john's experience in brave new world by aldous huxley, huxley’s ambiguous conclusions of brave new world, the purpose of a dystopia in brave new world, the idea of a dystopian world in the novels brave new world and 1984, john versus bernard in brave new world, telltale signs of contentment and social castes in brave new world, a feminist critique of gender dynamics in dystopian literature, analysis of mustapha mond in brave new world, the comprehensive review of brave new world by aldous huxley, consumerism in fight club and brave new world, forces behind fahrenheit 451 and brave new world, censorship and dehumanization in "v for vendetta" and "brave new world".

1932, Aldous Huxley

Science Fiction, Dystopian Fiction

Bernard Marx, Mustapha Mond, Helmholtz Watson, Lenina Crowne, John the Savage

The novel is based on a futuristic society that is heavily controlled and manipulated by a powerful government. It is inspired by Huxley's observations of the rapid scientific and technological advancements during the early 20th century, along with his concerns about the direction in which society was heading. Huxley's vision in "Brave New World" presents a world where individuality and personal freedoms are sacrificed in favor of stability and societal control. The novel explores themes of dehumanization, social conditioning, and the dangers of unchecked scientific progress. It serves as a critique of the emerging consumer culture, where people are distracted and numbed by mindless entertainment and shallow pleasures.

In the futuristic society of "Brave New World," the world is governed by a totalitarian government that controls every aspect of people's lives. Humans are engineered in laboratories and categorized into different castes, each conditioned from birth to fulfill specific roles in society. Among them is Bernard Marx, an Alpha Plus with feelings of alienation and discontent. Bernard travels to a Savage Reservation with Lenina Crowne, his love interest, and encounters John, a young man born to a woman from the civilized world but raised by a native woman on the Reservation. John becomes a symbol of the old, natural ways of life that the World State has eradicated. Back in civilization, John's presence disrupts the rigid social order, leading to chaos and rebellion. However, the government suppresses the uprising and maintains its control. Ultimately, John becomes disillusioned with the superficiality and lack of humanity in the brave new world, leading to tragic consequences.

The setting of "Brave New World" is a dystopian future where the world is tightly controlled by a centralized government known as the World State. The story primarily takes place in London, which serves as the central hub of the World State's operations. London in this future society is a highly advanced city characterized by technological advancements, efficient transportation systems, and elaborate social conditioning. Beyond London, the novel also explores the Savage Reservations, which are isolated regions where people still live in a more primitive and natural state. These reservations are juxtaposed against the highly regulated and artificial world of the World State, highlighting the stark contrast between the two.

One of the central themes is the dehumanization of society in the pursuit of stability and control. The World State prioritizes uniformity and conformity, suppressing individuality and natural human emotions. This theme raises questions about the price of a utopian society and the loss of essential human qualities. Another theme is the manipulation of technology and science. In this dystopian world, advancements in genetic engineering and conditioning have been taken to extreme levels, resulting in the creation of predetermined social classes and the elimination of familial bonds. This theme highlights the potential dangers of unchecked scientific progress and the ethical implications of playing with human nature. Additionally, the novel explores the theme of the power of knowledge and the importance of intellectual freedom. The characters in "Brave New World" struggle with the limitations placed on their understanding of the world and the suppression of critical thinking. This theme emphasizes the importance of independent thought and the pursuit of knowledge in maintaining individuality and resisting oppressive systems.

One prominent device is symbolism, where objects or concepts represent deeper meanings. For example, the "Savage Reservation" symbolizes a world untouched by the World State's control, showcasing the contrasting values of individuality and natural human emotions. Another literary device employed is irony, which serves to highlight the disparity between appearances and reality. The World State's motto, "Community, Identity, Stability," is ironically juxtaposed with the lack of true community and individual identity. The citizens' pursuit of happiness and stability comes at the expense of their authentic emotions and experiences. A significant literary device used in the novel is foreshadowing, where hints or clues are given about future events. The repeated mention of the phrase "Everybody's happy now" foreshadows the disturbing truth beneath the facade of happiness and contentment. Additionally, the author employs satire to critique and ridicule societal norms and values. The exaggerated portrayal of consumerism, instant gratification, and the devaluation of art and literature satirizes the shallow and superficial aspects of the World State's culture.

One notable example is the television adaptation of the novel. In 2020, a television series titled "Brave New World" was released, bringing Huxley's dystopian world to life. The series delves into the themes of technology, social control, and individual freedom, exploring the consequences of a society built on conformity and pleasure. The novel has also inspired numerous references and allusions in music, literature, and film. For instance, the band Iron Maiden released a song called "Brave New World" in 2000, drawing inspiration from the novel's themes of societal manipulation and the loss of individuality. The song serves as a commentary on the dangers of an oppressive system. Furthermore, the concept of a technologically advanced but morally bankrupt society depicted in "Brave New World" has influenced science fiction works, such as "The Matrix" and "Blade Runner." These films explore themes of control, identity, and the implications of a society driven by technology, echoing the concerns raised in Huxley's novel.

"Brave New World" has had a significant influence on literature, philosophy, and popular culture since its publication. The novel's exploration of themes such as totalitarianism, technology, social conditioning, and individuality has resonated with readers across generations. One major area of influence is in dystopian literature. "Brave New World" established a blueprint for the genre, inspiring subsequent works such as George Orwell's "1984" and Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale." These novels, among many others, have drawn upon Huxley's critique of societal control and the dangers of sacrificing individual freedom for stability and pleasure. The novel's influence also extends to the fields of psychology and sociology. The concept of social conditioning, exemplified by the conditioning techniques in the novel, has contributed to discussions on the influence of environment and societal norms on individual behavior. Additionally, "Brave New World" has made a lasting impact on popular culture, with its themes and phrases becoming embedded in the collective consciousness. References to the novel can be found in music, films, and even political discourse, highlighting its enduring relevance.

Brave New World is an important novel to write an essay about due to its enduring relevance and thought-provoking themes. Aldous Huxley's dystopian vision offers a powerful critique of the dangers of unchecked scientific and technological progress, as well as the potential consequences of a society driven by pleasure, conformity, and the suppression of individuality. By exploring complex topics such as social conditioning, consumerism, and the loss of human connection, Brave New World prompts readers to reflect on their own society and its values. It raises critical questions about the nature of happiness, free will, and the balance between individual freedom and societal control. Furthermore, the novel's literary techniques, such as its vivid imagery, symbolism, and satire, provide ample material for analysis and interpretation. Students can delve into Huxley's use of irony, character development, and narrative structure to deepen their understanding of the novel and engage in critical analysis.

"Words can be like X-rays if you use them properly -- they'll go through anything. You read and you're pierced." "Happiness is never grand." "Civilization has absolutely no need of nobility or heroism. These things are symptoms of political inefficiency. In a properly organized society like ours, nobody has any opportunities for being noble or heroic." "You can't make flivvers without steel, and you can't make tragedies without social instability." "But I don't want comfort. I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger, I want freedom, I want goodness. I want sin."

1. Huxley, A. (2007). Brave New World (1932). Reading Fiction, Opening the Text, 119. (https://link.springer.com/book/9780333801338#page=128) 2. Woiak, J. (2007). Designing a brave new world: eugenics, politics, and fiction. The Public Historian, 29(3), 105-129. (https://online.ucpress.edu/tph/article/29/3/105/89976/Designing-a-Brave-New-World-Eugenics-Politics-and) 3. Kass, L. R. (2000). Aldous Huxley Brave new world (1932). First Things: A Monthly Journal of Religion and Public Life, 51-51. (https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA60864210&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=10475141&p=AONE&sw=w) 4. Meckier, J. (2002). Aldous Huxley's Americanization of the" Brave New World" Typescript. Twentieth Century Literature, 48(4), 427-460. (https://www.jstor.org/stable/3176042) 5. Feinberg, J. S., & Feinberg, P. D. (2010). Ethics for a Brave New World, (Updated and Expanded). Crossway. (https://www.crossway.org/books/ethics-for-a-brave-new-world-second-edition-ebook/) 6. Buchanan, B. (2002). Oedipus in Dystopia: Freud and Lawrence in Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. Journal of Modern Literature, 25(3), 75-89. (https://muse.jhu.edu/article/46720) 7. McGiveron, R. O. (1998). Huxley's Brave New World. The Explicator, 57(1), 27-30. (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00144949809596803?journalCode=vexp20) 8. Higdon, D. L. (2002). The Provocations of Lenina in Huxley's Brave New World. International Fiction Review, 29(1/2), 78-83. (https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/IFR/article/download/7719/8776?inline=1)

Relevant topics

• A Rose For Emily
• The Crucible
• The Diary of Anne Frank
• Bartleby The Scrivener
• Thank You Ma Am
• The Book Thief
• Sense and Sensibility
• Ender's Game
• Sonny's Blues
• Pride and Prejudice

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Bibliography

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Brave New World

By aldous huxley, brave new world essay questions.

Discuss Huxley's vision of a utilitarian society.

Huxley's utilitarian society seeks the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest amount of people. Happiness is stability and emotional equilibrium in people's lives rather than things that we might associate with happiness, such as achievement, advancement, love, and beauty. Instead, the greatest happiness comes through scientific and social conditioning that makes each person content with who they are and what they do.

Why does Mustapha Mond insist that science must be constrained in the same way that art and religion are?

Society must restrict science because too much scientific progress can result in social instability. Science, for instance, can reduce the amount of labor necessary to keep lower castes busy and upper castes satisfied with their work. Thus, society must suppress the advent of certain ideas. Huxley comments on the scientific progress of the twentieth century, which caused a great amount of advancement but which also led to mechanisms of war.

What traits of humanity does John Savage represent in the novel?

John Savage represents humanity's base desire for beauty. His love of Shakespeare - the ultimate achievement in art and beauty, according to Huxley - represents his desire for aesthetic transcendence in the human soul. John shows the reader how beauty can come from tragedy and how turmoil and unhappiness are necessary conditions for great art.

Discuss Huxley's use of character development in the novel.

Like many novels that depict dystopian futures, Huxley's novel relies less on character development than it does on the personification of social and political thought in the names, attitudes, traits, and flaws of each character. For instance, Bernard Marx personifies the unrest and hubris of socialist thought. The reader should not understand each character for their personality so much as for the thoughts and ideas that they represent.

Is Huxley’s society able to suppress religious impulses completely?

The government cannot completely suppress religious impulses in society, but they were able to control such impulses. When Bernard participates in the Solidarity Service, the participants feel a kind of Fordian Holy Ghost in a ritualized ceremony that engenders belonging and solidarity amongst the citizens. Both John Savage and Mustapha Mond agree that humans have an innate impulse towards belief in a god, but Mond sees that impulse as useless and something that society must control in order to ensure stability.

In what ways does Huxley moralize sexuality in the novel?

Huxley uses irony to make a statement about the social use of sexuality in modern society. Monogamous sex, which was a chief moral value of Victorian society and the generations that followed, was ironically a mechanism that released great moral depravity in humanity. Sexual plurality, which Huxley’s readers would have considered a moral vice, is a chief component of social stability. Huxley's views on the subject are therefore mixed. He believes that the structures of monogamous sex incite lust and passion in those that cannot restrain themselves, but he also recognizes that a society of complete sexual freedom deprives people of the base desires that, in a way, make a person human.

Do you believe that Huxley's blindness influenced the way he viewed society? Why or why not?

Huxley's blindness, a condition he suffered from beginning in his childhood, did influence his views on science and art. Huxley claimed that his love of both science and literature helped him to realize the limitations of both. His blindness kept him from devoting his training to a kind of science that valued only the achievement of progress, an idea that he rejects in his novel. Progress can be as harmful to society as it is helpful. Because of his blindness, Huxley entered a career in journalism and literature that taught him to appreciate his own affliction. His pain and turmoil opened his mind to the beauty in art and the suffering that must accompany great achievement.

Why does John Savage kill himself at the end of the novel?

John takes his own life at the end of the novel because he has become a sacrifice for the continuation of society. John feels trapped between two ideals. On the one hand, he seeks to represent the base nature of humanity, a state of unhappiness and fear that nevertheless produces beauty. On the other hand, he desires to become a part of the ritualized mob of humanity, which he cannot do on the reservation. However, when he becomes a part of the ritual with the mob in the final chapter, he realizes that being such a sacrifice robs him of all individualism. Caught between these two extremes, he feels that he will never belong anywhere.

Do you believe that Mustapha Mond is the antagonist of the novel? Why or why not?

Mustapha Mond is not an antagonist in the traditional literary sense. He displays both good and bad characteristics. In one sense, his knowing desire for control and power over humanity makes him a sinister character, but in another sense, his motivation is to create the most happiness possible for people. He recognizes that humanity, when left to its own devices, is depraved. Therefore, his motivation is to benefit the whole society, even if that motivation leads to a world deficient of emotion and beauty.

In your opinion, is this brave new world a utopia or a dystopia?

Huxley's imagined world contains elements of both a utopia and a dystopia. As a utopia, the world has achieved a peace and harmony that was very much on the minds of Huxley's readers at the close of World War I and during the beginnings of fascist states in Italy and Germany. As a dystopia, however, Huxley shows how such a stable world deprives humanity of the beauty and love that creates identity, as shown in the characters of John Savage and Helmholtz Watson. In the end, Huxley's world is an achievement that requires too great a sacrifice.

Brave New World Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Brave New World is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

What is the purpose of depriving some embryos of adequate oxygen?

The world controller conditions the embryos so that the resulting children will fit into a desired category of people. Alphas are given more oxygen so that they develop into the intellectual and physical, except for Bernard, elite. People like...

chap 1 Explain the fertilization process used in Brave New World. How does the hatching and conditioning centre acquire the necessary ovum and spermatozoa?

Basically the hatching and conditioning centre is a place where people are genetically engineered. The students view various machines and techniques used to promote the production and conditioning of embryos. The scientists take an ovary, remove...

Summarize both sides of the debate that Mond and John have regarding God.

Mond explains that since society eradicated the fear of death and since science keeps everyone youthful until death, religion is unnecessary. He reads to John passages from The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis and from a work by Cardinal...

Study Guide for Brave New World

Brave New World study guide contains a biography of Aldous Huxley, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Brave New World
• Brave New World Summary
• Brave New World Video
• Character List

Essays for Brave New World

Brave New World essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Brave New World by Aldous Huxley.

• Methods of Control in 1984 and Brave New World
• Cloning in Brave New World
• God's Role in a Misery-Free Society
• Character Analysis: Brave New World
• Influences Behind Brave New World and Fahrenheit 451

Lesson Plan for Brave New World

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Brave New World
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Brave New World Bibliography

Wikipedia Entries for Brave New World

• Introduction

Brave New World Revisited

31 pages • 1 hour read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-3

Chapters 4-10

Chapters 11-12

Key Figures

Index of Terms

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

What might “total organization” look like in everyday life? What are examples of Huxley’s descriptions of conformism? 

Huxley argues that overpopulation produces a strain on food and resources and vitiates the gene pool. Discuss how overpopulation relates to other issues like propaganda , over-organization , and the depersonalized nature of city life. 

Discuss Huxley’s view of science, particularly its capacity for improving human life versus its capacity for harm.

Don't Miss Out!

Access Study Guide Now

Related Titles

By Aldous Huxley

Brave New World

Aldous Huxley

Crome Yellow

Featured Collections

Politics & Government

View Collection

Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley Analytical Essay

Introduction.

In Huxley’s Brave New World, the government embodies oppression. The antonym, ‘democracy’, is entirely absent. From decanting to death, the government controls every breath and thought without asking the consent of the governed. Further, every resident has become a tool of mind control – tattling, or shunning anyone deviating from expected behavior. There is no need for violence: as the Controller puts it,

“Government’s an affair of sitting, not hitting. You rule with the brains and the buttocks, never with the fists.”

In such an environment, one’s personal integrity (which appears here as a set of entirely personal standards for moral behavior) is nearly impossible to maintain. However, some individuals do attempt it, perhaps without understanding why. Bernard Marx, Helmholz Watson, John, and even Lenina, all struggle to stay true to an individual code of behavior, never mind the government’s position. Despite universal nutrition, health, and erotic outlets, they variously, and truly, suffer.

They suffer acutely from a sense of disconnectedness, exclusion, and revulsion (Bernard), from creative frustration (Helmholz), from horror, outrage, and loss (John), and even from a painful sense that monogamy would be preferable (Lenina). It is entirely fair to describe their mental suffering as unspeakable, if only because they literally lack the vocabulary to articulate their pain. (The State has long since obliterated all such words.)

Their divergence from government expectation is emotionally distressing, and leads them into behaviors which appear peculiar, but which allow them to be temporarily free of their subjugation. Bernard Marx’s strategies for dealing with the conflict between his own notions of sexual morality and dislike for soma are effective but not uniformly attractive.

He begins by despising and scorning the behavior around him, but then he chooses not to leave the cushioned A.F. world. When this stance places him at risk of exile, he demonstrates a cool resourcefulness in exploiting John to blackmail his boss. His efforts end by causing his exile anyway, but as Mond points out, he has a better chance to exercise personal integrity in Iceland than anywhere in the Brave New World.

He retains his own opinions in spite of the disapproval and isolation this causes

Bernard feels pain from his perceived inadequacy and isolation from others, burdened as well with acute awareness and insight. In the first portion of the book, he makes his stand for the principles which he holds dear by means of his private, internal scorn for his co-residents’ behavior and treatment of each other. He is deeply ambivalent about this, since he does desire human connection, but he retains his own opinion stubbornly.

Take the example of the conversation on the day following his evening with Lenina. On that ‘date’, he approached as close to revealing his inner turmoil as anyone ever does in the Brave New World (to Lenina’s total mystification and irritation). The next day, he says to her,

“I didn’t want it to end with our going to bed”.

This encapsulates his powerful personal desire to have a relationship for which there exists no model in his society. His behavior does not necessarily follow his principles (he did, after all, engage in the expected erotic activity with Lenina), but he wishes it could have. As always, Bernard’s actions reveal a mixed and flawed character.

He chooses to stay on, despite his clear disapproval of the society around him

Before his trip to the wilds, he becomes aware of the imminent threat of exile. He does not perceive the advantages of this outcome, not having the benefit of the Controller’s perspective, noted above. He neither grovels, at this point, nor offers to leave for Iceland, and freedom from constant government oppression, right away. Instead, we read that,

“Bernard left the room with a swagger, exulting, as he banged the door behind him, in the thought that he stood alone, embattled against the order of things; elated by the intoxicating consciousness of his individual significance and importance. Even the thought of persecution left him undismayed, was rather tonic than depressing.

He felt strong enough to meet and overcome affliction, strong enough to face even Iceland. In addition, this confidence was the greater for his not for a moment really believing that he would be called upon to face anything at all. People simply were not transferred for things like that. Iceland was just a threat. A most stimulating and life-giving threat. Walking along the corridor, he actually whistled.”

Bernard is strengthened, by the threat of exile, in his sense of the rightness of his views and preferences. He neither gives up nor runs away. Of course, as the quote above indicates, he also does not believe that he is truly at risk. As noted before, he is a mixture of aspirations and fallibility.

He takes advantage of a serendipitous opportunity to sabotage his oppressor

The risk of exile takes on a very concrete reality, once he is on his trip, but he only finds out because he has contacted his friend to turn off his apartment scent tap. Learning of his imminent dismissal from the only world he knows seems equivalent to the current humiliation of being broken up with on Facebook or by text message.

Bernard is, as always, not eager to give up his material, comforts, nor his principles! He plots his effective revenge against the petty oppression and intrusiveness of his boss with a masterful bit of extortion.

He shamelessly uses the hapless John and Linda to humiliate the Director. He thereby creates a space (temporarily) in which he can remain both a social critic, and nonetheless enjoy as much pleasant social contact as he can absorb. We see that,

“Success went fizzily to Bernard’s head, and in the process completely reconciled him (as any good intoxicant should do) to a world which, up till then, he had found very unsatisfactory. In so far as it recognized him as important, the order of things was good. But, reconciled by his success, he yet refused to forego the privilege of criticizing this order. For the act of criticizing heightened his sense of importance, made him feel larger.

Moreover, he did genuinely believe that there were things to criticize. (At the same time, he genuinely liked being a success and having all the girls he wanted.) Before those who now, for the sake of the Savage, paid their court to him, Bernard would parade a carping unorthodoxy. He was politely listened to.”

Bernard, by his creative exploitation of the Savage’s discomfort, also postpones the inevitable punishment for his own different and unwittingly disruptive behavior. However, he shows his underlying weakness once the axe falls and Mond pronounces his sentence of exile: Bernard has to be carried off and sedated to stop his sniveling. Helmholz, by contrast, is far more dignified in his response.

Bernard is never an entirely admirable character, from start to finish. He even contemplates running away and abandoning the Savage when John tries to toss out the soma, for example. However, he does indeed have a sense of integrity, which he sticks with almost all the way to the end (he shamefully offers to sacrifice his views in his groveling final speech to Mond).

He is clearly in distress, because of the oppressive societal insistence on sameness. Furthermore, given the wiping out of literature, he has only limited vocabulary to express his therefore unspeakable pain. He has a code of behavior to which he aspires, including a courtly attitude towards females.

To hold on to his integrity, he tries to avoid soma, fumblingly attempts to establish an outmoded and prohibited relationship with Lenina, and retains a critical view of the world around him. He stays on in his world, refusing the implicit opportunity to leave and emigrate to a place where the government has only minimal control (the Falklands, Iceland, Samoa).

When presented with the ingredients of a tidy blackmail, he grabs it and temporarily gets the best of everything: girls, adulation, the freedom to criticize, and his daily three squares. His ultimate fate may also be his greatest vindication and the validation of his cherishing of his personal integrity in the face of oppression and unspeakable pain. After all, as the Controller says,

“…he’s being sent to a place where he’ll meet the most interesting set of men and women to be found anywhere in the world. All the people who, for one reason or another, have got too self-consciously individual to fit into community-life. All the people who aren’t satisfied with orthodoxy, who’ve got independent ideas of their own. Every one, in a word, who’s any one.”

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2018, May 21). Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley. https://ivypanda.com/essays/brave-new-world-by-aldous-huxley/

"Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley." IvyPanda , 21 May 2018, ivypanda.com/essays/brave-new-world-by-aldous-huxley/.

IvyPanda . (2018) 'Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley'. 21 May.

IvyPanda . 2018. "Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley." May 21, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/brave-new-world-by-aldous-huxley/.

1. IvyPanda . "Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley." May 21, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/brave-new-world-by-aldous-huxley/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley." May 21, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/brave-new-world-by-aldous-huxley/.

• The Future of Society in "Brave New World" by Huxley and "Amusing Ourselves to Death" by Postman
• Tailor-made work programs: Their Impact on Young People in a Modern Society
• Senses of Yellowstone National Park
• The Moose and the Sparrow
• “The Miller’s Tale.” Critical Analysis of Jealousy Theme
• A Clockwork Orange: Setting and Literary Devices
• A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
• "Emma" by Jane Austen: Main Character Analysis

Home / Essay Samples / Literature / Books / Brave New World

Brave New World Essay Examples

Technology and emotions in sherry turkle’s "alone together" and aldous huxley’s "brave new world".

Technology has been assimilated into the functionality of our daily lives. As more profound achievements are made, technology seems unfeasible to avoid. The fear has become a reality: our dependence on technology has grown to be inevitable. Sherry Turkle’s excerpt from “Alone Together” and Aldous...

Satirical Representation of Politics in "Brave New World" and "V for Vendetta"

Through the analysis of the political dystopias within Aldous Huxley’s 20th Century novel, ‘Brave New World’ and James McTeigue’s 21st Century film, ‘V for Vendetta’, readers are revealed to the ultimate powerlessness that ordinary civilians contain within a totalitarian government. Both texts reveal a satirical...

The Fail Safe in a Perfect World

Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World creates a perfectly happy society, built on a platform of efficiency, pleasure, and stability. Negative emotions, such as pain, grief, and anger, are an obstacle to these goals, and have been conditioned out of each person to maximize their pleasure....

Brave New World Debate – Social Conditioning

“Community, Identity, and Stability”. It maintains the society. It maintains the world and above all, it maintains stability. It is the prevalent motto throughout the novel. Enforcing these morals enables the World State to achieve the primary goals of its utopia. The technological powers of...

Analysis of Conversations in Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

In Chapter 3, Huxley combines three conversations to inform (drill) the perspective and lifestyle of Brave New World into the reader’s minds. The first conversation arises between Mustapha Mond, the Director, and the students of the reproductive center. The scene begins with the boys being...

Discuss the Relationship Between Utopia and Dystopia in ‘brave New World’ 

It would be impossible to refer to all the utopian examples of work, but utopia began with the myth of Eden and the first thought refers back to Plato whose Republic is considered one of the first utopian works (Russell 2005). The idea of a...

Exploring the Pursuit of Happiness in "Brave New World"

Happiness is often sought through external stimuli and we are no strangers to fuelling our dopamine levels with artificial sources to achieve the satisfaction of desire. We have all depended on something or someone as a source to uphold our idea of happiness. We freely...

Critique of Consumerist Ideals in the Truman Show and Brave New World

Since primitive times, humans have depended on storytelling as a means of sharing crucial information that may be lifesaving and is thus a connection for cause and effect. It is a narrative that can relay messages and warnings, act as a portrayal of what the...

Carl Jung’s Concept of Mind in "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley

“Man needs difficulties; they are necessary for health.” This statement was made by a well-known man, Carl Gustav Jung. Jung was a Swiss psychoanalyst who developed concepts of mind known as the shadow, anima, and persona. According to Jung’s concept of mind, the shadow is...

Quote Study of Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

“Tall and rather thin but upright, the Director advanced into the room. He had a long chin and big rather prominent teeth, just covered, when he was not talking, by his full, floridly curved lips. Old, young? Thirty? Fifty? Fifty-five? It was hard to say....

Trying to find an excellent essay sample but no results?

Don’t waste your time and get a professional writer to help!

You may also like

• Of Mice and Men
• Song of Solomon
• Frankenstein
• Catcher in The Rye
• The Canterbury Tales
• Romeo and Juliet
• A Separate Peace Essays
• The Crucible Essays
• Winesburg Ohio Essays
• Harry Potter Essays
• An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge Essays
• Between The World and Me Essays
• The Pearl Essays
• The Things They Carried Essays
• Emma Essays
• Things Fall Apart Essays

About Brave New World

Aldous Huxley

Science fiction, dystopian fiction

United Kingdom

Brave New World's main theme is the incompatibility of happiness and truth. Throughout the novel, John has argued that it's better to seek truth, even if it involves suffering, than to accept an easy life of pleasure and happiness.

There are three main symbols in a Brave New World that not only give the novel a deeper meaning but convey the theme and tone: books and flowers, soma, and technology.

The Use of Technology to Control Society. The Consumer Society. The Incompatibility of Happiness and Truth. The Dangers of an All-Powerful State. Individuality. Happiness and Agency.

John, Bernard Marx, Helmholtz Watson, Lenina Crowne, Mustapha Mond, Fanny Crowne, Henry Foster, Linda, The Arch-Community-Songster, Popé, The Warden

samplius.com uses cookies to offer you the best service possible.By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .--> -->