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Lauren Burns
Mrs. Brown
Research Paper
Exploring a Brave New World
A utopia is defined as an ideally perfect place, especially in its social, political, and moral
aspects. Aldous Huxley‟s controversial novel, Brave New World, is written as a prediction of
what the future is going to become, and how relationships will be established and pursued. One
critic states that, “Huxley… is best known for his „dystopian‟ novel Brave New World (1932), in
which he warns that new technology, social and scientific developments, and political
manipulation could result in a dreadful future civilization” (“Huxley”). Another critic notes, “It
is a novel of a problematic type” (Lobb). The book is set in central London and opens with a
description of a futuristic reproduction cycle where babies are decanted whether than born. In
addition, Huxley‟s world entails efficient transportation and futuristic ideas. From an
individual‟s test tube birth, he is born into a specific role that is decided upon his arrival and the
role that he will take in life. Aldous Huxley‟s futuristic society reveals the negative effects of
sexual promiscuity, drug usage, and extreme government control.
Huxley thoroughly describes sexual promiscuity throughout his novel. The reader sees
that it can undermine a society. In comparing today‟s relationships to the relationships in a Brave
New World people in the future have a carefree and nonchalant attitude about commitment.
Throughout the book, “Everybody belongs to everybody,” is a commonly stated idea that one
does not have to commit to one person for the rest of his life (Huxley 37). The leaders in this
futuristic society believe that non-committed relationships will alleviate stress; individuals will
not have to face the facts of heartbreak. The problem with this idea is that individuals never get
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to experience the positive effects of marriage and relationships. For example, Lenina, a female
who is attracted to a single male, experiences frustration because of her conditioning. One critic
states his opinion of Lenina‟s sexual anxiety by saying, “Lenina suffers from the desire to
experience love for another and to be sexually monogamous with this being for some time—two
tendencies that strike at the heart of prescribed sexual behavior in a society mandating
promiscuity as a civic duty” (“Provocations”). The men in the novel desire to have women only
for sex. They treat sex as if it is a common activity and they should explore sexual desires with
anyone. By doing this, a person may form emotional bonds with multiple people, ultimately
creating unnecessary stress that is a direct result from having many sexual partners.
One of the most evident ways that sexual promiscuity is a problem is through confusion
and misunderstanding. John, a savage from a reservation, has been conditioned to value
monogamy in sexual relationships. Based on his belief in a strong emotional connection, John
desires to commit to Lenina, but he becomes confused about his attraction to her. John does not
understand sexual freedom. The thought of his just being able to “have her whenever he
physically desires,” is not what he was taught in growing up on a reservation (Huxley 152).
Being promiscuous is Lenina‟s downfall because in John‟s constant confusion about her
promiscuous sex life, Lenina acts on what she knows from society and when given the
opportunity, she offers her body to John. This infuriates him because of his love for Lenina; he
calls her a whore and rejects her. Sexual promiscuity is seen commonly throughout the book, and
it produces negative effects by causing complete confusion, a lack of emotional development
through relationships, and viewing the idea of sex as something that should not be taken
personally.
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A society that is dependent on drugs has set itself up for extensive problems. Soma is the
name of the drug that the people are so dependent upon, and the members of the society have
become so reliant on its effects that they cannot even get through a normal day‟s routine without
it. Soma is considered to be a drug of “ersatz bliss” (“We Have”). Lenina is a prime example of
someone who is not able to get through everyday life without the drug. The negative effect can
be seen through the way Lenina craves the drug; she is constantly thinking of how much easier
and non stressful life will become once she can have her soma. For example, Lenina reveals her
misery on the reservation by saying, “„Too awful! That blood!” She shuddered. “Oh, I wish I had
my soma‟” (Huxley 77). Once in the reservation, she is forced to rely on herself and her natural
thoughts. After one day, Lenina gets back her drugs, she takes the prescribed amount, doubles it,
and then she goes into a holiday. This holiday in today‟s time is comparable to an overdose; she
sleeps for twenty four hours, but has no worries.
Mohammad Mond, who is one of the World State leader‟s, describes soma as,
“Christianity without tears” (Huxley 211). The people do not have a religion the support they
rely on for positive effects is the drug. From their birth, the society hears messages during their
sleep. Subliminal messages are played repetitively while they are sleeping, and after enough
repetition, it becomes what they believe and it affects their thought process. One message that is
said to them while they are sleeping is, “A gramme is always better than a damn . . . A gramme
in time saves nine . . . One cubic centimetre cures ten gloomy sentiments . . . Everybody‟s happy
nowadays . . .” (Huxley 68). This idea that has been instilled in their minds since birth and causes
an addiction that is justified through the thought process of the people. It is stating that drugs can
solve all of the problems that they will face. The problem is that it does not prepare them for
anything in life, and it causes a self reliance on the drug.
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Extreme government control is demonstrated numerous times, and it poses an unpleasant
effect on the people. Every aspect of the world is controlled by the central government that is
called the World State. The people have been created for a purpose in his or her lives; there are
Alphas, Betas, Deltas, Gammas and Epsilons. From their decanted birth, each order is created to
perform its indicated responsibilities, and they are conditioned to love what they do. Another
saying that is played repetitively from the time they are born is, “Every one works for everyone
else. We can‟t do without any one. Even Epsilons are useful. We couldn‟t do without Epsilons.
Every one works for everyone else. We can‟t do without any one. . . .” (Huxley 19). This shows
that even the lowest class is taught to be appreciated. The World State is in charge of every
aspect of the daily lives of the people. The government is so controlled and safe that there is
neither need nor opportunity (Hochman). It keeps the people from making their own personal
decisions, and the problem with the lack of freedom is that they never get to experience what
they desire or they do not have their own original thoughts.
In the novel‟s futuristic society, Huxley reveals the damaging impact of sexual
promiscuity, drug usage, and government control. Huxley gives examples of how a population
can be ruined through the values that it is based upon. In his novel sexual promiscuity is
expressed as simply a physical act without emotional bonds. In addition, drug dependency alters
reality and rules the decisions that are made. Extreme governmental control as in World State
prevents the people from facing the challenges that life takes to keep everyone satisfied and
having fun, but the problem with the extreme control is everyone‟s ideas of being satisfied and
having fun are different. One critic states that creating happiness is the main purpose of Huxley‟s
book even if it involves complete control and a lack of free will (Greenblatt). These three major
problems—sexual promiscuity, drug usage, and increased governmental control—are evident in
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our society today, making us wonder, where our future is taking us—exactly the point Huxley
wanted to make when he wrote the book in 1932.