Most missed study guide questions Brave New World Most missed study guide questions

What is the very first indication that Brave New World is a futuristic novel? Reread the first paragraph on the first page of the novel World State – we have separate countries up to the current time

6. In what way is Huxley's presentation of the Director satirical? the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues What is Huxley making fun of? The director’s knowledge gives him power. Although he is an expert, he is not conveying understanding of what he knows to others. In his superiority, he is sometimes intolerant of the student’s lack of understanding and is intimidating to anyone who questions him. Hmm. Sounds like a lot of experts.

8. What are some actual scientific principles presented 8. What are some actual scientific principles presented? What seems to be a problem the society has "all but solved" (Pg. 15)? Part 1: think of things science was working on in Huxley’s time (and/or is working on in our time) inferred info Part 2: quote on p15 Principles: Nazi-like experimentation into species manipulation Genetic determinism, biological and chemical engineering, cloning, population control, behaviorism, Pavlovian conditioning. “all but solved:” slow pace of human maturation

10. What social problems have been eliminated in Brave New World 10. What social problems have been eliminated in Brave New World? Explain. What problems did society suffer from in Huxley’s time(and/or ours) that no longer appear in the novel? Poverty, racism, sexism, hunger, discontent and striving, parent/child or family conflicts, identity crisis, people have what they need and are satisfied with who they are.

Part 1: why DOES it work on beliefs and emotional attitudes? 15. Why can hypnopaedia be used to inculcate more beliefs and emotional attitudes but cannot be used to learn science? Read pp 25-26 Part 1: why DOES it work on beliefs and emotional attitudes? Religion is based on… Part 2: why WON’T it work on science? Beliefs and emotional attitudes are accepted; religion is based on FAITH not understanding. Indeed, it is a basic tenant of such things. Science and other forms of higher learning require critical thinking to achieve understanding.

17. What about the population did Huxley get wrong? He thought there would be 2 billion (2 thousand million); we already have over 7 billion. This is supposed to be taking place in roughly the year 2495. Population – number of people in a given area

19. Huxley seems to be using the dialogues of Lenina, Fanny, Bernard, and Henry to comment on the lecture or commentary of Mond. What contradictions do you see between what Mond says and what the others are expressing? Mond is speaking as if all the problems of the past are gone. Hmm. Consider if this seems true based on the other conversations. In the new world there is still conflict over sex and love. Look at Lenina and Bernard.

22. Why does so much effort go into conditioning people to be consumers? What aspect of his own society is Huxley satirizing? Another two-parter. Break it down and answer both. People are conditioned to be consumers because there is excess of goods produced, so consumption is necessary to keep the economic wheels turning. (Stability) Satire: preoccupation with acquireing material goods in Huxley’s (and, indeed, our) society.

Key word here is OPPOSITION. Identify and explain significance 24. Huxley has introduced two characters that stand in opposition to the new world. Identify them and explain what you see as the significance of these characters. Key word here is OPPOSITION. Identify and explain significance Bernard and Helmholtz – both accidents. Significance: things are not perfect in the new world afterall. Their presence allows for another satiric perspective on the pursuit of happiness.

2nd Study Guide Most missed questions

#28 What is ironic about Lenina's comment, "And you feel so small when you're on the ground at the bottom of a hill"? (Pg. 109) Consider her importance (or lack there of) in the New World Consider the importance (or lack there of) of each person on the reservation.

Use the last part of the question to clue you into answering the rest. #29 In what ways is Huxley's description of Lenina's reaction to the Indian Reservation satirical? What makes Lenina seem foolish? How might this apply to our attitudes today? Break it down. Answer each part. Use the last part of the question to clue you into answering the rest.

#31 Explain the irony in Linda's speech about life on the Reservation. Irony: Broadest class of figures of thought that depend on presenting a deliberate contrast between two levels of meaning; the discrepancy between what is said and what is meant, what is said and what is done, what is expected or intended and what happens, or what is meant or said and what others understand.

#33 Compare John and Bernard. What is the same? What is different?

#37 What is ironic in Chapter 10? Hint: there is more than one example, so give as many as you find

#43 …At the end of Chapter 13, we are told Lenina's response to John's remarks about marriage is genuine shock. What do you find ironic about this? What idea about love is suggested to you by these contradictions?

Look for his message – goes beyond the novel #44 In the middle of Chapter 12, Huxley describes the Controller rejecting a paper called "A New Theory of Biology." The Controller will not allow the paper to be published …What do you think is Huxley's point in this section? Look for his message – goes beyond the novel

Read carefully: “…less character than most people…” #46 Do you think Bernard has less character than most people would in his circumstances? Remember that he is undersized for his caste and has suffered persecution as a result. Read carefully: “…less character than most people…” Not just in the New World What is character? (Hint: think moral character)

What are they each doing in chapter 13? #48 At this point in the novel, what behavior of Bernard, John, and Helmholtz is unorthodox? What are they each doing in chapter 13? Unorthodox: unusual, nonconformist, archaic

#49 We are told that people in the new world do not experience passion, so they have to be given treatments… What conclusion can you draw from these facts?