An Introduction To: A Brave New World By: Aldous Huxley

Definition to Get Started Dystopian Society A dystopia is a community or society, usually fictional, that is in some important way undesirable or frightening. Dystopias are often characterized by dehumanization, totalitarian governments, environmental disaster, or other characteristics associated with a cataclysmic decline in society.

Quick Write Exercise How would you describe your own personal dystopia? Examples of Dystopian Society in Modern Media

Popular Dystopias Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury Batman Begins, Dark Knight Rises Hunger Games Series Total Recall I Am Legend Wall-E Any more?

Themes Use of Technology to Control Society Incompatibility of Happiness and Truth Consumer Society Dangers of an All-Powerful State

Use of Technology to Improve Society Control Reproductive Process Surgically remove ovaries Eggs are selected, fertilized, and grown by machines Hypnopaedic conditioning Taught morals of society: Class system Consumerism Reprogramming

Use of Technology to Improve Society Complicated Entertainment Machines Movie Theater: experience movie as if it were happening to you Harmless leisure with high consumption rates Soma Difference between Technology and Science

Incompatibility of Happiness and Truth Characters avoid truth of the situation Soma Other tools of self-delusion Better off with Happiness than Truth Two truths: Objective Truth Human Truth

Consumer Society Criticism of own consumerism Book logical evolution of own society Individual happiness is defined by satisfying needs Success in society based upon money

Dangers of an All-Powerful State Citizens controlled through “happiness” and superficial fulfillment End up not caring about personal freedom Consequences: Loss of dignity, morals, values, and emotions Loss of humanity

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The Big Question Is it better to be happy or free?