The novel, “Brave New World” was written by Aldous Huxley in 1913 (Beck 2) The “Brave New World” novel provides succinct information addressing issues that relate and alternate about the future. Gender inequality, lack of individuality, and social classes are the main themes identified in the “Brave New World” novel (Beck 8). The themes developed by Huxley represent how World State reflects a dystopian society. The World State prohibits people from having unique emotions and thoughts that may create social disparities (Beck 14). The inability of people to express their thoughts and emotions leads to a lack of individuality. The “Brave New World” presents a dystopian society that is dominated by men; therefore, resulting in gender inequality (Huxley 28). The World States wholly reflects the characteristics of the dystopian society because it results in social classes, controls all human activities, and lack of individuality.
How World State Reflects the Characteristics of a Dystopian Society in the Novel
A dystopian society is identified when people are not happy or satisfied with normal activities and how they are treated (Huxley 7). The World State in the novel reflects the common features of a dystopian society because people are not treated fairly or equally. According to Beck, men are treated as superior to women; therefore, creating a dystopian society. The “Brave New World” reflects a dystopian society because many aspects of events in the novel contribute to an imperfect society (Beck 22). In this case, people in society are forced to act as if they are happy regardless of their hardship or though experiences. The World State is the main cause of dystopia in the novel because. In this case, the World State controls the society and lifestyles of people. the World State has absolute power on all people. The powers of the World State does not give people any freedom, especially on making decisions concerning factors that affect their social lives (Huxley 12). The critical analysis of the "Brave New World" novel shows that the World State controlled most of the social activities. The characters celebrated and appreciated all that is beneficial to society (Huxley 16). Also, all people opposed activities that might cause harm to society. People are happy about their social well-being and there is limited or no competition since all obtain what they need from society. A dystopian society is also reflected by the absence of separate families in the “Brave New World” (Huxley 19). The needs of all children are provided by the government.
Also, there is a lack of individuality in the “Brave New World” novel. The dystopian society in the novel is established by a lack of individuality. The World State does not allow people to provide their opinions for solving social problems and preventing their negative impacts in the future (Huxley 30). The World State represented in the novel limit people from having emotions and thoughts that may result in disparities. Individuality is prevented because unique emotions and thoughts define people. In this case, the World State does not allow emotions and desires for love and having a relationship. The people believe that "everyone belongs to everyone" (Huxley 38). the restrictions provided by the World State does not encourage utopia in society. For example, Bernard and Helmholtz received were punishment for their intellectual curiosity and exploring desires. “One egg, one embryo, one adult-normality…Making ninety-six human beings grow where only one grew before” (Huxley 12). The use of one egg and embryo was intended to have identical human beings with similar thoughts and emotions; therefore, minimizing cases of individuality in society.
Also, World States reflects a dystopian society due to the ability to create classes and influences people to believe that their category is the best. The existence of social classes resulted in division and hatred among people. The society is separated into five classes; Alphas, Betas, Gammas, Deltas, and Epsilons (Huxley 25). The creation of social classes leads to mistreatment. Also, the separation through the establishment of various castes results in the theme of society and classes in the “Brave New World” novel. Dystopia is also evident when people use soma in stressful moments. "The world's stable now. People are happy; they get what they want, and they never want what they can't get... And if anything should go wrong, there's soma" (Huxley 34). The use of soma was intended to make people happy by escaping harsh reality during the events of bad thoughts. Social classes resulted in gender inequality since women were identified to be irrational. Also, the creation of social classes made women to be seen as representatives and demonstrators of sexual desires. Women were punished heavily when they committed simple mistakes unlike men (Huxley, 42).
Conclusion
The use of dystopia in the “Brave New World” is significant in warning readers and other audiences about an issue in the society that needs to be addressed and prevented in the future. Huxley draws or attracts the attention of readers to the social issues that enable them to identify the negative aspects as seen in the Brave New World. In the "Brave New World," women are subjected to serious punishments when they commit petty mistakes in society. For example, John's mother, Linda was punished by the World State because of her civilization and traditional virtues.
