Utopia's Shadow: A Brave New World's Reflection
"A Brave New World" explores the concept of having the right to claim unhappiness. John, the protagonist, is introduced to the world of "A Brave New World," where societal norms dictate happiness and stability above all else. However, John questions the superficiality of this happiness and longs for something deeper. As he navigates this dystopian society, he encounters Mustapha Mond, a World Controller who challenges his beliefs and offers insight into the nature of their world. "A Brave New World" presents a thought-provoking exploration of the consequences of prioritizing happiness at the expense of individuality and free will. Through John's journey, readers are forced to confront the ethical dilemmas inherent in a society that values conformity over authenticity. The novel raises important questions about the nature of happiness and the price of societal stability, leaving a lasting impact on readers long after they've finished the book.
"A Brave New World" offers a chilling glimpse into a future where happiness is manufactured and freedom is sacrificed for the illusion of contentment. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of sacrificing individuality and critical thinking in favor of societal harmony.
Introduction
Characters
Plot Summary
Review
Conclusion
Introduction
Set in a highly advanced futuristic civilization, "Brave New World" is one of the three major dystopian novels of the world. Authored by Aldous Huxley, the novel explores the concept of a secular humanism controlled under totalitarianism.
Aldous Huxley was born in 1894 in England. Growing up in a household where most members were scientists, including his Nobel Prize-winning brother, Huxley initially intended to study biology but had to abandon it due to severe eye problems. As a writer, he left a significant mark not only in novels but also in poetry and essays, known for his comprehensive and in-depth exploration of philosophical, scientific, and psychological issues.
While the title may evoke a hopeful vision of the future ushered in by technological advancements, it is, in fact, a quintessential oxymoron. Classified as classic literature, "Brave New World" remains captivating and relevant even in contemporary times.
Characters
The story revolves around Bernard, the protagonist and pseudo-hero of the novel, and John, the actual protagonist, who first appears when Bernard takes Lenina to the Savage Reservation. Bernard represents the inhabitants of the "Brave New World," while John is a visitor from the "old world." Other key characters include Lenina, who becomes romantically involved with both Bernard and John, and Helmholtz, Bernard's friend.
Summary
After the so-called Nine Years' War, a massive world government emerges. This society, known as the Brave New World, embraces the slogans of community, identity, and stability, revering Henry Ford as a deity and basing its foundation on his birth. In this world, nobody is born naturally through conception; instead, they are artificially cultivated and birthed through artificial means. This method ensures a stable global population of around two billion people. Children's upbringing and education are entirely controlled by the state, with their future roles in society predetermined based on their intelligence before birth. People are divided into five classes: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Epsilon. Alphas typically comprise the elite ruling class, while Betas handle administrative tasks as the middle class. Gammas represent the lower class, and Deltas or Epsilons are essentially mass-produced individuals with intentionally induced physical and mental deficiencies, tasked with menial labor. Additionally, people are forcibly indoctrinated and subjected to continuous brainwashing even during sleep.
The story follows Bernard Marx and Lenina Crowne, who work as hatchery workers at the central London hatchery and conditioning centre, representing the affluent upper class in this society where promiscuous relationships and sexual activities are commonplace. They had a past romantic involvement. Bernard is different from the typical Alpha caste, feeling inferior due to his diminutive stature and harboring a disdain for the promiscuous lifestyle. His almost sole confidant, Helmholtz Watson, is also a hatchery worker, but unlike Bernard, Helmholtz is a popular man facing existential crises. Bernard and Helmholtz share their thoughts and concerns.
One day, Bernard takes Lenina on a date, and they attend a solidarity service where Lenina finds Bernard's company awkward compared to other people. Bernard plans a trip with Lenina to the Savage Reservation, a place where people reject the new order and live according to old customs. Bernard seeks permission to enter the reservation from his superior, the Director, who is already aware of his peculiar nature and warns him to be cautious.
During their trip to the reservation, Bernard and Lenina meet Linda and her son John. Witnessing their way of life shocks and intrigues Bernard and Lenina, as the concept of parents and children is unfamiliar in their society, where humans are cultivated. Bernard learns that Linda, originally from the Brave New World, had a son named John with the Director, who abandoned them in the reservation. John becomes attracted to Lenina, adding complexity to their interactions.
Reflection
Brave New World prompts contemplation on whether a society efficiently controlled and managed by highly advanced science and civilization is truly a happy one. In this world, each person's characteristics and tendencies are considered, and jobs are assigned accordingly. Even descendants are nurtured under such management, resulting in a thoroughly efficient society. People work during scientifically analyzed optimal labor hours and enjoy leisure time, with all unpleasant emotions controlled using a drug called soma.
Introduced to this perfectly controlled and regulated world, John, also known as "the Savage," initially describes it as a "Brave New World." However, as he begins to experience life in this society, he gradually realizes the absence of something crucial: humanity. John immerses himself in the banned works of Shakespeare, particularly tragedies like Othello, Macbeth, and Romeo and Juliet, found in the Savage Reservation.
At the end of the novel, Mustapha Mond, one of the world controllers, asserts that in this Brave New World, tragic literature like Othello is no longer necessary.
He implies that with a stable society where people are happy and get what they want, there's no need for tragedies or experiences of suffering. However, John's response is intriguing.
When asked if he desires such a world where there's no room for unhappiness, John famously replies,
"I claim the right to be unhappy."
John believes that despite the perfection and control, a society devoid of humanity is less fulfilling than one that embraces imperfection and individuality. Therefore, John emerges as the true protagonist of the novel, symbolizing the human desire for authenticity and the acknowledgment of the right to experience unhappiness amidst a seemingly perfect world.
In the novel, there is a significant scene where John rejects Lenina. Initially, John is attracted to Lenina's charm upon their first meeting. However, in the final decisive moment, John rejects Lenina, which can be interpreted as a rejection of the old world's order by the new world.
The rejection stems from the difference in gender norms between the two worlds they inhabit. John's rejection of Lenina symbolizes the rejection of the old world's values by the new world.
The protagonist of the novel, Bernard, initially experiences disillusionment with the Brave New World. He is shocked by the way of life in the Savage Reservation and eventually orchestrates the dismissal of the Controller. However, upon benefiting from the new world's system, Bernard becomes a turncoat. He outwardly criticizes the system while conforming to it when he gains privilege. He continues to critique the system to satisfy his own vanity. Eventually, he is demoted and cast out.
Indeed, we can observe many similar cases in society, especially among politicians. They often attack their opponents' weaknesses to gain power, but once in power, they often succumb to the same immorality or weaknesses, leading to their downfall. This reflects a common human tendency.
Concluding Thoughts
This is another dystopian novel reminiscent of George Orwell's "1984." It's a story set in a future imaginary world crafted by the author's imagination, but it's by no means a light read. In many ways, the author's imagination reflects aspects of reality that are unfolding before us. Particularly when we encounter news about societies with strong totalitarian tendencies, such as China and North Korea, we are reminded of this. In today's world, where we are racing ahead with the advancements of science and civilization, this work prompts us to contemplate what values true humanity should embody.
