1. Brave New World
Aldous huxley

2. Aldous Huxley Born 1894 in Surrey, England
Grandfather helped develop theory of evolution
Mother prominent in the humanities
Died November 22, 1963

3. About the novel Written in 1931
“Brave New World is a book about the future and, whatever its artistic or philosophical qualities, a book about the future can interest us only if its prophecies look as though they might conceivably come true.” – Aldous Huxley
Widely criticized
“… probably casts no light on the future…” – George Orwell, 1984
“… Aldous Huxley has no right to betray the future as he did…” – H.G. Wells, War of the Worlds and The Time Machine
One of the most censored books of 2000s

4. Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should. – Jurassic Park
1879: first psychological lab opens in Germany
1886: Freud argues awareness of the unconscious mind
1900: Mendel’s theory of eugenics grows
Eugenics – possibility to design an elite race of human beings
s: chewing gums, movies, radio, advertising
1908: Ford’s Model T car is produced
Assembly line concept

5. Themes/Motifs Technological advancement Promiscuity Family
“The theme of Brave New World is not the advancement of science as such; it is the advancement of science as it affects human individual.” – Aldous Huxley
Promiscuity
Family
Prescription medication
Consumerism
Cloning, stem-cell research, genetic engineering

6. Questions to Consider Is it better to be free or happy?
Is society more important than the individual?
Does society value critical thinkers?
Are scientific and technological advancements beneficial?
Is instant gratification really healthy?
How much should the government tell you?
How much does advertising influence our society?

7. Agree or Disagree
Birth control should be practiced by all sexually active adults. A D
Birth control should be regulated by the government. A D
Sex education courses should be a graduation requirement. A D
Too much emphasis is placed on competition in our society. A D
Mass media (tv, radio, internet, etc.) promotes immoral behavior. A D
Science should delve into moral issues (cryogenics, savior babies). A D
People need to know history in order to understand our present. A D