A perfect world seems great to me. Everyone is content with their lives, no war, and no worries. However, we know that a controlled world can not always give everything that a human needs to be happy in life. John talks about how he wants the pain and suffering that real life can bring, because he knows that other “perk” come with this. Life is completely planned for all humans in this world. They can not rise above their rank or position in life. As children they are taught what they should like and what they should hate. Most parents would say that all children should enjoy reading, but this strange world actually encourages children to refuse reading. Personally I would not like to live in this time that Huxley has created. While war and pain do not exist, no real freedom exists either.
Many would argue that no war would be better than free choice in life. However, it would be interesting to see if their opinions would change if they actually had to live in that world. War doesn’t bother me enough to give up my freedom to choose my life and how I will live it. Huxley’s world predetermines all aspects of life for the humans and they never have the chance to improve their situation. On the other hand you could look at it the other way. Nobody can go down in rank. They don’t get demoted, but they can be exiled. I challenge anyone to live a life in that world and see if they could do it.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
3) John and Mond's discussion
In the intense discussion between John and Mond it is clear that Mond would rather have it that the citizens of the World happy and content with the life they are presented. John has the opposite mind set. While it does seem that life would be great with no worries or issues to deal with in life, Mond’s ideal world also lacks individuality and overall goodness. John argues that while Mond may believe that people are better off with strict control in their lives, it doesn’t allow them to actually live. People need to experience deep feelings and disasters and be able to live as they choose. John believes no one can be truly happy without all parts of life; the good and the bad.
You would think that a world without danger or fear would be the most perfect place to live. However, no one can really think that it would be perfect. No freedom could exist if you wanted a life like this. You have to give up something to gain something in life, but you need to actually think if it is worth the loss. Mond would agree that all freedoms are worth giving up for a community of people that live with no cares and their life is already set out for them. He can not see that it is the individuality of people that makes the World so great. John tries to explain this to Mond, but he will hear nothing of it. It interesting though that in the end John kills himself.
You would think that a world without danger or fear would be the most perfect place to live. However, no one can really think that it would be perfect. No freedom could exist if you wanted a life like this. You have to give up something to gain something in life, but you need to actually think if it is worth the loss. Mond would agree that all freedoms are worth giving up for a community of people that live with no cares and their life is already set out for them. He can not see that it is the individuality of people that makes the World so great. John tries to explain this to Mond, but he will hear nothing of it. It interesting though that in the end John kills himself.
2) Breaking Ties with Feelings
In Brave New World, the leaders and controllers try to eliminate the tie of feelings to human beings. Sex in our world usually is linked to deep, passionate feelings and love between both people. Humans see sex as a beautiful act that is necessary in life. Procreation is a must in life. However, in this new world and society none of this is true. Since procreation is no longer needed due to the producing of babies in labs, sex has become purely recreational. No feelings or intimacies are associated with this act. Huxley has created this new idea of carelessness in the world. The humans have no worries or pain to deal with so they can flaunt themselves however they please. There are no cares or aging during their time of work in this world. Sex, games, carelessness are very common and part of their every day schedule. As far as “ending is better than mending” goes with this notion that there are no cares. It is easier for one to end something than to fix it. No feelings are tied to any human or object so humans do not care what happens to them.
I’m sure some people would enjoy this type of life, but I know that not being able to love another human would eventually frustrate most. The non-existence of procreation is also an issue that bothers me. People are basically clones of each other and no variety exists. Life would be an interesting time at first, but in the end people would realize that life is not better this way if they were not brain washed. All may be well in the world, but they know nothing better. I would like to see which life the humans would choose if they had the opportunity.
I’m sure some people would enjoy this type of life, but I know that not being able to love another human would eventually frustrate most. The non-existence of procreation is also an issue that bothers me. People are basically clones of each other and no variety exists. Life would be an interesting time at first, but in the end people would realize that life is not better this way if they were not brain washed. All may be well in the world, but they know nothing better. I would like to see which life the humans would choose if they had the opportunity.
1) Reality vs. crazyness
Brave New World has its definite elements of insane assumptions of what the World will be like in the near future. Producing babies in bottles and complete control of an entire World is completely ridiculous. There is no possible way that it could happen. You would have to destroy all human life on Earth and then start all over with just a few people. However, it would not be the same as the novel has described. People that knew of the days when freedom used to exist are still around in this novel. There were no social castes or limits on what one could learn. Brave New World brings a new discussion on what our World would become if such an event were possible.
On the other hand you can see the relation to the present day. Presently we can see that certain children are given the opportunity to excel and become leaders of the world while others do not have the ability to receive the same opportunities due to lack of funds in their family. I wouldn’t say that our government is necessarily holding them back like the novel does, but it does play a factor in the fact that the needy and less fortunate can not give their children the same education needed for them to succeed above and beyond in life. The novel intends to hold certain babies back. Our country doesn’t intend to hold people back, but they make it a challenge for those whom have little money to gain a new place in life. The novel has more unrealistic situations that our World can become than realistic ones. While it was a good read, the scenarios of the novel did seem crazy.
On the other hand you can see the relation to the present day. Presently we can see that certain children are given the opportunity to excel and become leaders of the world while others do not have the ability to receive the same opportunities due to lack of funds in their family. I wouldn’t say that our government is necessarily holding them back like the novel does, but it does play a factor in the fact that the needy and less fortunate can not give their children the same education needed for them to succeed above and beyond in life. The novel intends to hold certain babies back. Our country doesn’t intend to hold people back, but they make it a challenge for those whom have little money to gain a new place in life. The novel has more unrealistic situations that our World can become than realistic ones. While it was a good read, the scenarios of the novel did seem crazy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
