Societal Standards In Aldous Huxley's 'Brave New World'

Brave New World Paper Aldous Huxley raised many questions in his novel, Brave New World, about how different societal standards affect individuals. In Brave New World, there are two different societies that differ greatly with their standards and culture. In the World State, where Lenina and Bernard live, it is the social norm to have sex as much as they want, and with whomever they want. However, in John the Savage’s home, the Reservation, having sex with multiple partners is seen to be taboo and wrong. To many, the Reservation is seen to be similar to the twenty-first century with its traditional morals and principles, whereas the World State is seen to be more of a futuristic society that the world may slowly be accustomed to. Huxley focuses on one important question throughout the novel: what happens to individuals when they visit and experience a culture that is much different than their own? When Lenina and Bernard visited the Reservation, they met John and his mother Linda. When Lenina and Bernard openly showed their disgust of the conditions at the Reservation, Linda noticed and described her situation. She came from the World State to the Reservation on a visit, however, became impregnated. She explained to them, “I was so ashamed. Just think of it: me, a Beta -- having a baby: put yourself in my place” (Huxley 120). Since she was from the World State, she was conditioned into believing that having children was something to be embarrassed about. In a flashback, a scene is shown where Linda is frustrated with John and even declares “I’m not your mother. I won’t be your mother” (Huxley 127). She did this because she blamed him for

However, in the end, people will always return to what they were taught first. People will always go back to the original traditions and morals they were raised