Brave New World Individuality Essay

In a future where individuality is suppressed and happiness is manufactured, Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World transports readers to a dystopian world where the pursuit of perfection comes at a haunting cost. Brave New World is a dystopian novel in a futuristic society, called the world state, where emotions and individuality are genetically engineered and conditioned out of people at a young age. The story follows Bernard Marx, an outsider, and John, a boy from the “Savage Reservation”, as they navigate a world devoid of genuine emotion and grapple with their own identities. The story ends tragically with John hanging himself and Bernard being sent off to an island. Although it may not be enjoyable for everyone due to it exploring a dark view

The descriptive imagery and relatable characters make Brave New World a well-written book that illustrates the importance of personal freedom and individuality. Huxley paints the picture of a world that is both beautiful and terrifying with his vivid descriptions of the World and its controlled citizens. Huxley introduces this when Bernard Marx visits a “savage reservation” with Lenina, she is disgusted by the setting thinking, “The dirt, to start with, the piles of rubbish, the dust, the dogs, the flies.” with “Her face wrinkl[ing] up into a grimace of disgust. h[olding] her handkerchief to her nose”(Huxley 117). This evocative imagery immerses readers into the world Huxley has created while showing the divide between the “savage” world more closely related to ours and the highly ordered, sterile society of the World State. Additionally, Leninas

While some may argue that the novel’s cautionary tale serves as a thought-provoking social commentary, it is undeniable that the book’s relentless bleakness, coupled with its horrifying tragic ending, detracts from its enjoyability. A disheartening aspect of the novel is its complete eradication of individuality. In this dystopian society, citizens are predestined and conditioned to conform to a rigid caste system, suppressing their unique thoughts and desires. The main character, Bernard Marx, serves as a prime example of the inherent unhappiness that arises from such a system. He grapples with his inability to fit into the social hierarchy highlighting the crushing weight of conformity on the human spirit. This can be seen in Bernard’s internal struggle as he muses, “‘I’d rather be myself,’ he said. ‘Myself and nasty. Not somebody else, however jolly’”(Huxley 94). Bernard says this to Lenina when she offers him the drug “Soma”. The World State in Brave New World promotes a culture of instant gratification, where pleasures and mindless entertainment take precedence over genuine emotions. Characters are encouraged to indulge in promiscuity, drugs, and distractions, devoid of any deeper connections or genuine human experiences. This shallow existence devoid of meaning and substance paints a