Brave New World
1. If you had to choose between happiness or truth, which would you choose? Discuss.
2. How accurate is Huxley's vision of the future (remember Brave New World was first published in 1932)? Think about America as you know it today.
3. What about the novel do you find the most disturbing so far? Discuss.
Truth, because it's the bad times that make the happiest times, in contrast, happier
ReplyDeleteThe thing I find most disturbing about the novel is probably their promotion of promiscuity, especially in their youth. I think I find it so alarming because we can see traces of it in our society at present. For example toddlers in tiaras, or the jersey shore, even in most commercials we see such promotions.
ReplyDeleteIf I really HAAAAD to choose between happiness and truth, I would choose happiness. I don't like being upset, and even though I may be fed lies, as long as I'm happy I'm alright with that.
ReplyDeleteHuxley seemed to have an eerie knowledge of what was to come. His description of the future is startlingly accurate. People are abusing drugs and alcohol, having meaningless haphazard frivolous sex, and are following trends rather than their own interests. Huxley may as well predicted the future.
ReplyDeleteThe most disturbing part of the novel is the way the fetuses are grown and cultured in the factory. It's gross and inhumane.
ReplyDeleteEverything about this novel is cool.
ReplyDeleteI also agree Holden about their culturing of fetuses, it's odd to think we could just be grown that way, like a first grader's plant project. Except with a higher life expectancy and yet less care.
ReplyDeleteI think one of Huxley's few inaccuracies about the future is the use of helicopters and such. However, maybe we aren't there yet. Like our present is the prologue to his future.
ReplyDeleteThe most disturbing part of this novel is the shocking of the babies as they are drawn to books and flowers. That part seriously ripped my heart out. I personally think babies are the cutest, and I could not imagine the screams and the pain they were given. That is so inhumane and sickening.
ReplyDeleteIf I had to choose between truth and happiness I would choose truth. Truth may cause heartache in the moment, but happiness will later result. I would rather have someone be completely open and honest with me than just feed me lies to keep me happy. That is just even more upsetting when the truth is later revealed.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with both Holden and Tanner with what is disturbing. I would actually venture to say that ninety percent of this novel is disturbing. It is seriously sickening to read sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI think Huxley is accurate in some ways. People are creating their babies the way they want to have them. Not to the extent this book is going or even to the extent Gattaca is, but people are choosing some of the characteristics their babies will have. Furthermore, promiscuity is more accepted now. Granted, not among kids under sixteen years old, but it is more accepted now then it was in 1932.
ReplyDeleteEmily, I agree it is always better to hurt a little initially than to feel betrayed when you find out the real truth. It is true that ignorance is bliss, but to want happiness over truth is a little... shallow? Almost, like selfish.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Emily, Tanner and Holden about the promiscuity. It is almost disturbing how accurate he was about that and how accepted it is now. I feel like books like this are needed to shock us from allowing it to get worse so it is at that point. It all starts with one person though so ladies have respect for yourself!!
ReplyDeleteI find the orgy part disturbing. That was just downright creepy, as well as the sleep talk. Teaching people to be prejudice? That is backwards and it is scary to think that their own thoughts aren't original, just recording they heard over and over. Creepy.
ReplyDelete