Satire in Brave New World Essay

An Explanation of Satire in Huxleys Brave New World

In Aldous Huxleys classic Brave New World, his strong humanist perspectives can be seen through the strong extrapolation throughout the paper. The book was written primarily to enlighten Huxleys readers about the dangers of the accomplishments and advancements of society of his day. Each element in the work is carefully crafted to represent something in society, as Clareson says By 1931 some factual basis lay behind each ingredient in his perfect world (Clareson). Huxley makes strong inferences about the flaws of science, utopian society, and the dangers of progression in society. Strong correlations can be seen with Brave New World and the problems our society faces today.

In regards to science, Huxley makes drastic conclusions and creates colorful illustrations about the progressions of society. Most of the characters in the work exemplify Freudian theory. Moreover, Huxley draws strong principles from Pavlovs Behaviorist School to create the structure for his utopian society. The education in Island does not seem vastly different from the kind of Pavlovian conditioning which Huxley had scathingly attacked in Brave New World" (Birnbaum). Many direct correlations are made with society, as well as some more subtle inferences. For example, hypnopaedia was widely practiced in the twenties and thirties. With the invention of the electroencyclograph science eventually proved Huxleys suspicion that this sleep-teaching was largely ineffective. Another example of a more subtle creation would be Soma and its correlation with happiness.

In the beginning of the novel, Huxley masterfully paints his utopian society for the reader. The elements of this society are carefully arranged to represent this mock utopia, while at the same time questioning the very nature of society itself. Firchow says it perfectly in his essay, stating The focus on leisure, rapid transport, amusements, synthetic substitutes, and genetic improvements in humans all exemplify Huxleys anti-utopian ideals. As Huxley continues to build his creation, the purpose of the novel becomes more evident. With every addition to his society, one can see that the author is not a proponent of utopia, but feels quite strongly against it. Huxleys writing is throbbing with this idea that science, wealth, and technology do not bring happiness to society, but are more apt to harm the general welfare.

Perhaps the most powerful quality of Brave New World is the fear that Huxley strikes within the reader. By taking everyday objects very familiar to us and arranging these things in a new context, Huxley creates a startling recreation of the progression of society. In his parody of the society of the twenty-first century, Huxley succeeds in enaging his reader through the use of contrast. The most obvious contrast is that of the Brave New World with contemporary society. The novel is mainly structured around the conflict between the savage and the utopia. The conflict ends with the dramatic suicide of the savage.

Overall, Huxleys dramatic scenarios help to provide a clear picture of the problems in society and government. Huxley effectively exposes the flaws of scientific advancement, as well as the dangers of government control. Every character in Brave New World represents a pariticular piece of the structure of society. The value of the book comes from its use as a thermometer for the progression of society. Ultimately, its status as the classic example of literary satire will remain for many years.

Works Cited

Birnbaum, Milton. Aldous Huxleys Quest for Values. Aldous Huxleys Quest for Values.

University of Tennessee Press, 1971. Rpt. in Contemporary Literary Criticism Ed. Carolyn Riley. Vol. 4. Detroit: Gale Research, 1975. Literature Resources from Gale. Gale. Mobile County Schools (AVL). 24 Nov. 2008

Clareson, Thomas D. The Classic: Aldous Huxleys Brave New World. Extrapolation. 3.1 (1961, Dec. ): 33-40. Rpt in Contemporary Literary Criticism. Ed. Daniel G. Marowski and Roger Matuz.Vol. 35. Detroit: Gale Research, 1985. 33-40. Literature Resources from Gale. Gale. Mobile County Schools (AVL). 24 Nov. 2008

Firchow, Peter Edgerly. The End of Utopia: A Study of Aldous Huxleys Brave New World.

The End of Utopia: A Study of Aldous Huxleys Brave New World. Becknell University Press, 1984. Rpt. in Contemporary Literary Criticism. Ed. James P. Draper and Jennifer Allison Brostrom. Vol. 79. Detroit: Gale Research, 1994. Literature resources from Gale. Gale. Mobile County Schools (AVL). 24 Nov. 2008

Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World. 1st. New York, NY: HarperCollins, 2006.

Pearce, David. "A Defense of Paradise-Engineering." BLTC Research. BLTC Research. 20 Nov 2008 .

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