2019 Year 12 IB Extended Essays

At first glance, the society in Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World , appears to be the polar opposite to that of the author’s society. The World State deplores the core values of Huxley’s society: freedom, love, family and truth – instead, prioritises promiscuous sex, drug induced happiness, social segregation, control, technology, and sameness. However, in looking beyond the surface level differences, it becomes evident that the novel draws upon these skewed priorities to parallel Huxley’s society. Through representing a radicalised form of genetic manipulation and population control in the novel, Huxley warns of the dangers of scientific progress, which is an issue that began to proliferate in Huxley’s time. By portraying a society that has essentially eliminated all forms of individual identity, Huxley is able to show the importance of individuality and personal freedom which was an ideal that became commonplace in the early 1900s. He further critiques society’s view that happiness is the main purpose of life - this is achieved by showing a society that’s epitomal goal, is unwavering happiness. In the same strand, Huxley expresses his concerns over American consumerism by showing a society whose primary source of happiness is obtained from mass-produced items. These parallels between the dystopian society in Brave New World and Huxley’s society, allows him to reflect on his society and show the truths of the era in which he lived.

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