The “American Dream” is “the ideal by which equality of opportunity is available to any American, allowing the highest aspirations and goals to be achieved” (Oxford Lang). The concept of the American Dream brings many immigrants to the United States. America is often viewed as a utopian society by many foreigners, causing them to immigrate to the United States for a better life. But what if these spectators knew America was actually a dystopia, and the American Dream was just an illusion? Aldous Huxley examines the illusion of dystopian societies in Brave New World, where a sense of harmony is created; however, through the use of class systems, drugs, and the disintegration of the family, the government maintains control over the citizens. Huxley’s Brave New …show more content…
Soma is a recreational drug that induces feelings of euphoria, which is strongly encouraged by the government, even when it is on its own. By dedicating a day to the mass consumption of soma, the World State emphasizes the message that happiness is interchangeable with the compliance of societal norms. Furthermore, soma is used in religious ceremonies, clouding spiritual experiences and keeping people from reaching a true awakening. Individuals are made to prioritize sexual pleasure and immediate gratification over enlightenment and individual autonomy. The readily available drug creates fleeting moments of bliss, masquerading as happiness. However, this happiness is shallow and lacks genuine emotional depth. Additionally, soma is marketed to citizens as a symbol of freedom and choice, suggesting that individuals have control over their own happiness, yet this freedom is illusory, as soma ultimately serves to maintain the existing conditions of the world. Huxley uses soma as a symbol in Brave New World to depict how the World State deceives its citizens into believing that they are happy in their oppressive