Truth And Knowledge In Brave New World

Truth/Knowledge

In a world where knowledge is manipulated at the snap of one’s fingers and the truth is concealed by world leaders, it can be difficult to distinguish between fact and fiction. Aldous Huxley’s novel “Brave New World” encapsulates a society where comfort and happiness are valued over truth and individuality. In this utopia, however, some individuals yearn for the truth, even if it subjects them to uncomfortable thoughts and ideas that lie beyond the surface. Truth seeking is best viewed through the lens of Mustapha Mond, one of the world’s controllers. In “Brave New World”, Huxley emphasizes the themes of truth and knowledge throughout the novel, suggesting that a balance between them is paramount for fulfilling a meaningful

This is best done through conditioning, which manipulates the characters into accepting the values and beliefs of the state. Additionally, citizens are also encouraged to take soma, a drug for people to escape any unpleasant thoughts or emotions. These methods have been effective for the world state for hundreds of years. However, there are a couple free thinkers who seem to slip through the cracks. John, the son of Linda and the DHC, is an example of one character who exemplifies the importance of seeking the truth. John’s upbringing varies greatly from the people in London. He was born on the savage reservation, where he learned various ideas that were forbidden in the world state. Most importantly, he was able to read Shakespearean plays. Shakespeare’s work plays a huge role in John’s personality. When John arrived in London, he became increasingly disgusted with the state's ideals. He also refused to take soma, by saying, “But I don’t want comfort. I want god, I want poetry, I want real danger, I want freedom, I want goodness, I want sin” (Huxley 237). This quote attests to John’s hatred towards superficial emotions. In John’s eyes, authentic emotions are crucial for achieving personal happiness. Bernard Marx, who is a self-conscious alpha, is considerably the best example of a truth-seeker. Bernard was conditioned similarly to the other alphas in “Brave New World”. However, there is a rumor that alcohol was poured into his surrogate, causing his short stature. Bernard is particularly unique in the sense that he does not act like other alphas. His behavior is described as wildly bizarre and unorthodox. On top of that, he refuses to conform to society and does not partake in the world state’s activities. Bernard’s individualism is best described when he says, “Yes, everybody’s happy nowadays. We begin giving children that at five. But wouldn’t you like to be happy in