Brave New World By Aldous Huxley Introduction Lecture

Genre: Dystopia Utopia: an ideal society possessing a perfect social and political system Dystopia: a society where the condition of life is extremely bad, as from deprivation, oppression, or terror Often futuristic Often under the guise of being a utopia Often totalitarian 1

Popular Dystopias Earliest Literary Dystopia: Plato’s Republic Government had a deep suspicion of literature Viewed educated men as potentially subversive Genre became extremely popular in the 20th century… 2

Popular Dystopias 20th century popularity Attempts to put utopian ideals into place resulted in real-life dystopias: Soviet Communism German Nazism Western Consumerism Modernism Technological mass production 3

Soviet Communism Political system of social engineering working for a classless society of equals Individual liberties were taken away from citizens because the government thought people could not be trusted to make decisions for themselves Atheist worldview: Religious worship was suppressed 3

German Nazism Movement led by Adolph Hitler to lead Germany out of its post-WWI depression A pure race (Aryans) were thought to be superior “Final solution” included eliminating whole races of people (e.g., Jews) and religion The Aryan military class executed Jews, disabled people, the elderly, Catholic priests, an all dissenters Doctors carried out experiments on non-Aryan patients (including pregnant women), treating them as sub- species animals 3

Western Consumerism A social and economic order that is based on the systematic creation and fostering of a desire to purchase goods and services in ever greater amounts. People purchasing goods and consuming materials in excess of their basic needs Characterized by propaganda and advertising everywhere “Who owns you?” 3

Modernism A group of movements in the 20th century that sought to break with the past To eliminate traditions To live without dependence on the family, the Church, and the community Only novel and innovative ideas were considered worthy Technological advancement was worshiped without questioning the possible ill consequences 3

Mass Production Product of the Industrial Revolution Production of large amounts of standardized products, including and especially on assembly lines Contributed to consumerism Henry Ford’s Model T was the first Mass produced car. 3

The Dystopian Writers Reacted against one or more of the many 20th century movements to alter human society Believed “the more man controls nature, the less he controls himself” Warned against the “evil ends” that our technological advances would be used. Created futuristic worlds that showed the potential dangers of the new 20th century movements. 3

Metropolis, the Movie German silent film, 1927 Credited as the first dystopian movie. Depicting a mechanized, rigid society with a mindless, self-indulgent upper class benefiting from the brutal exploitation of the working-class masses. (Ironically, the screenwriter of this hymn to equality and love, Thea von Harbou, went on to work with the Nazis.) 3

The Time Machine H.G. Wells thought society was splitting into two castes that would eventually evolve into separate species because of their different conditions of existence. The owners of capital were doomed to be physically weak The workers were made increasingly amoral and angry by the harshness of their work. Created the Eloi (owners) and the Morlocks (workers) 3

1984 (George Orwell) Orwell portrays the potential effects of Soviet Communism Totalitarian state, where everyone is watched by Big Brother TV cameras capture everyone’s movements No one has any freedoms Children spy on their parents and turn them in for any kind of political dissent 3

1984 (George orwell) Parents lose moral authority over their children Children raised by the state (“It takes a village”) Doublethink: to hold simultaneously two opinions which cancelled out, knowing them to be contradictory and believing in both of them. War Is Peace, Ignorance Is Strength, Freedom Is Slavery Newspeak: the attempt to make certain thoughts inexpressible through the reform of language. Example: Ethnic Cleansing 3

Brave New world Portrays a society that has been socially engineered for a mindless happiness. No need for a totalitarian state because everyone is so “amused” and entertained by sex and drugs. Technology drives the culture and takes away one’s humanity A critique of consumerism, technology worship, mass media hypnotism 3

Brave New world Human beings are treated like different model cars trundling off the Ford assembly line. Babies are bred in bottles for designated roles in society comparable The family is seen as unnecessary and revolting. 3

Fahrenheit 451 Bradbury was influenced by Brave New World and 1984 Provided a critique of the “information society” Predicted many current trends: the “dumbing down” of popular entertainment and education, our growing addiction to TV, video games, and the Internet, the rise of random violence among youth taking pills for everything, the cult of consumerism. 3