2019 Year 12 IB Extended Essays

For an author whose outlook on his own society was so critical, a dystopian society that critiques many of the seemingly negative traits of Huxley’s society is easily explored. Initially, the book’s society appears as a utopia. However, through pivotal events and revelations, one comes to realise that what were once the positive defining pillars of a utopia, now show a corrupt and broken society. This development encapsulates the authors concerns regarding the direction of his own society. As a result, this essay aims to explore Huxley’s use of the dystopian genre to reflect his society and was completed using the following methodology: Information regarding Huxley’s beliefs and opinions was collected, then combined with research regarding the climate of 1920’s America. This information was used to form a base knowledge to understand the society in which Huxley was a part of - aiding in developing the contents of the essay. Following a read-through of the novel with important concepts and quotes highlighted and small notes taken, a break-down and analysis of the novel’s themes was completed, facilitating a comparison between the themes in the novel, to the information regarding Huxley and 1920’s America, to understand their intersectionality.

The Dangers of Scientific Progress

Despite the futuristic setting of Brave New World , the novel emphasises the scientific understandings of its time. When Brave New World was written, major breakthroughs in our understanding of evolution and genetics were coinciding with the development of ground-breaking medical technologies. This scientific development in Huxley’s society has a profound influence on his writing as the novel’s primary focal point is of scientific progress, and its relation to humanity’s curiosity regarding genetic manipulation and control.

In 1859, Charles Darwin’s “On the Origin of Species,” became accessible to the general public. The journal discussed the theory of evolution through genetic adaptation. Profoundly influenced by

3