Brave New World

One of the more interesting aspects of the novel are the gender dynamics involved in the society Huxley creates. Choose two or more characters of each gender and compare and contrast their role within the narrative and their society. 

In a similar vein, while some aspects of the World State may seem more restrictive and authoritarian, other aspects of the society—especially the polyamory—seem more liberated than much of contemporary Western society. Choosing several passages, make an argument for or against the case that the society of Brave New World is more equitable across gender lines than is your home culture. 

As with many dystopian novels, Brave New World is founded on a society that attempts perfection and yet is ultimately flawed. What things does the World State get right? What are some of its most important flaws?

One of the elements that remains constant both in World State and on the reservation is a sense of ceremony. Compare and contrast the ceremony that takes place on the reservation, in Chapter 7, with any of the ceremonies from previous or subsequent chapters in the “civilized” world, using specific passages. What remains constant between them? Where do they differ? And what does this tell us about the way Huxley views “civilization”?

One of the symbols that arises in different contexts is the whip. Track this symbol through the novel: Where are we first introduced to it and what does it mean in that context? How does it fit with or contrast to the World State’s value system? How does this compare to the symbol’s portrayal at the end of the novel?

The ending of this novel is another interesting aspect that bears close inspection. What does the ending mean, especially as it pertains to John? Using passages from the novel as support, predict what will come next for this society, and for people, like John or Bernard or Helmholtz, who do not quite fit. Is history doomed to repeat itself? Why or why not? 

In a Foreword written twenty years after Brave New World was first published, Aldous Huxley writes, “a book about the future can interest us only if its prophecies look as though they might conceivably come true” (x). Apply this statement to Brave New World: what elements of the World State can you see analogues of in the world today? What do you think the value of a dystopian novel such as this one is?

One element that most novels strive for or need to incorporate into their dramatic structure is some sort of change from the beginning to the end. Using quotes from both, as well as any from the middle that seem important, make the case for what you think this change is, if there is one. If not, why do you think this novel does not have one? What does this accomplish?