Brave New World Essay
Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World develops the idea that profound happiness requires free will and effort (L’Heureux). This idea is expressed through symbolism, character, and satire. Soma symbolizes a shallow and effortless happiness underscoring the need for effort in finding profound happiness (L’Heureux). Additionally, Bernard’s withdrawn and troubled character highlights the need for free will in achieving profound happiness (L’Heureux). Finally, the Bokanovsky’s Process satires a government 's attempt to create stability by eliminating free will, thus underscoring the importance of free will in finding profound happiness (L’Heureux).
Soma symbolizes a shallow and effortless happiness underscoring the need for effort in finding profound happiness, developing the idea that profound happiness requires free will and effort. Soma is a potent drug that is heavily used by society to make them happy. This is done by intoxicating them to relieve them of their negative emotions to provide them with a “holiday from the facts” (Huxley 210). This eliminates conflict because they are blind to their actual reality and any malicious things that occur due to their intoxicated state, including their corrupt government and society. They ultimately have no free will as they are conditioned and constantly reminded from birth of their reality to endure their shallow and effortless happiness. In the novel, Mustapha Mond preaches about the benefits of soma, stating that