Write a well-developed paragraph analyzing the similarities between modern America and the society described in Brave New World. Find at least three similarities to discuss.
In the novel Brave New World, the major issue present is the control of the citizens of this society. The mean used to achieve this control is technology. Their advanced scientific procedures have allowed them to create and control their ideal society. Although in our society, we don't create and condition through technology, it does dictate popularity and trends. We are very technology oriented and dependent. The majority of our past times deal with technology as does BNW with the feelies and scent organs. Similar to technology, is the drive for consumerism. In Brave New World, their physical activities (games, etc.) are very elaborate. They mention playing obstacle golf a lot and the requirement that any new game must use most apparatus than the previous one. This correlates with our economic drive as well. Americans are always looking for the next bigger and better thing to come along and replace the old. This is good for the economy and reflects in Brave New World as they are not struggling in that sense. The other connection I can see is that both society's citizens have a deeply seeded sense of entitlement. In Brave New World, their theory that everyone belongs to everyone else makes this evident. In America, individuals do not feel entitled to one another, but to possessions. Not necessarily other people's possessions, but possessions in general. Americans are always willing to find methods of getting the things they desire, whether they need them or not. Just like Lenina went to great pain to get John's attention. Both societies will do whatever it takes to get what they want.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Brave New World
John and Lenina are similar in the fact that they both have been conditioned and brought up to believe certain things. Their conditioning methods and circumstances are very different however.
Lenina's thought-processes are a result of hypnopaedia and the various ideals of this Fordian society have been embedded into her subconscious. She doesn't have to discern between right and wrong and make split second decisions, because she already knows the answer. She has lived in a society that shares this conditioning, so she never needs to stray from it. This conditioning is very strong as it stays with Linda when she lives on the reservation.
Although that is partially because the conditioning is all she has to hold onto from her former way of life. Although John is the son of a woman who lived in Lenina's society and was introduced to the same ideals, he retains very little and understands even less. His environment is not conducive to Linda's conditioning. The introduction to that way of life by reading Linda's embryo book was only a stepping stone to being able to read Shakespeare. His conditioning comes from the conscience processing of Shakespeare's works, which are very religious and emotionally based. He is able to apply the things he has learned and felt in this conditioning to the events in his everyday and make an emotional connection. Unlike Lenina who has no emotional attachment to anything that happens, except the confusion and discontentment that comes when John rejects her sexual advances and that isn't the deep attachment John is seeking.
Lenina's thought-processes are a result of hypnopaedia and the various ideals of this Fordian society have been embedded into her subconscious. She doesn't have to discern between right and wrong and make split second decisions, because she already knows the answer. She has lived in a society that shares this conditioning, so she never needs to stray from it. This conditioning is very strong as it stays with Linda when she lives on the reservation.
Although that is partially because the conditioning is all she has to hold onto from her former way of life. Although John is the son of a woman who lived in Lenina's society and was introduced to the same ideals, he retains very little and understands even less. His environment is not conducive to Linda's conditioning. The introduction to that way of life by reading Linda's embryo book was only a stepping stone to being able to read Shakespeare. His conditioning comes from the conscience processing of Shakespeare's works, which are very religious and emotionally based. He is able to apply the things he has learned and felt in this conditioning to the events in his everyday and make an emotional connection. Unlike Lenina who has no emotional attachment to anything that happens, except the confusion and discontentment that comes when John rejects her sexual advances and that isn't the deep attachment John is seeking.
Brave New World
John and Lenina are similar in the fact that they both have been conditioned and brought up to believe certain things. Their conditioning methods and circumstances are very different however.
Lenina's thought-processes are a result of hypnopaedia and the various ideals of this Fordian society have been embedded into her subconscious. She doesn't have to discern between right and wrong and make split second decisions, because she already knows the answer. She has lived in a society that shares this conditioning, so she never needs to stray from it. This conditioning is very strong as it stays with Linda when she lives on the reservation. Although that is partially because the conditioning is all she has to hold onto from her former way of life.
Although John is the son of a woman who lived in Lenina's society and was introduced to the same ideals, he retains very little and understands even less. His environment is not conducive to Linda's conditioning. The introduction to that way of life by reading Linda's embryo book was only a stepping stone to being able to read Shakespeare. His conditioning comes from the conscience processing of Shakespeare's works, which are very religious and emotionally based. He is able to apply the things he has learned and felt in this conditioning to the events in his everyday and make an emotional connection. Unlike Lenina who has no emotional attachment to anything that happens, except the confusion and discontentment that comes when John rejects her sexual advances and that isn't the deep attachment John is seeking.
Lenina's thought-processes are a result of hypnopaedia and the various ideals of this Fordian society have been embedded into her subconscious. She doesn't have to discern between right and wrong and make split second decisions, because she already knows the answer. She has lived in a society that shares this conditioning, so she never needs to stray from it. This conditioning is very strong as it stays with Linda when she lives on the reservation. Although that is partially because the conditioning is all she has to hold onto from her former way of life.
Although John is the son of a woman who lived in Lenina's society and was introduced to the same ideals, he retains very little and understands even less. His environment is not conducive to Linda's conditioning. The introduction to that way of life by reading Linda's embryo book was only a stepping stone to being able to read Shakespeare. His conditioning comes from the conscience processing of Shakespeare's works, which are very religious and emotionally based. He is able to apply the things he has learned and felt in this conditioning to the events in his everyday and make an emotional connection. Unlike Lenina who has no emotional attachment to anything that happens, except the confusion and discontentment that comes when John rejects her sexual advances and that isn't the deep attachment John is seeking.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Brave New World
One connection I have detected between More's Utopia and Brave New World is that both of these societies are very regulated. Their systems are very rule and guideline oriented. Also their citizens are very conditioned, moreso in BNW as they brew their children in the factories. Similar to the production of people to certain roles in BNW, in Utopia young people were still very likely to follow in the vocational path of their parent
The society in Brave New World seems very productive and although they aren't free, they do not feel oppressed. Also there is a purpose/role for everyone and therefore they do not need the correction system from More's Utopia. Additionally, the economic system seems to be well maintained in both of these societies.
The thing that bothers me most about Brave New World is their destruction of the family. Mother, father, parent, family are all disgraceful terms and I don't understand why they couldn't have created that society and still maintained the family structure.
The society in Brave New World seems very productive and although they aren't free, they do not feel oppressed. Also there is a purpose/role for everyone and therefore they do not need the correction system from More's Utopia. Additionally, the economic system seems to be well maintained in both of these societies.
The thing that bothers me most about Brave New World is their destruction of the family. Mother, father, parent, family are all disgraceful terms and I don't understand why they couldn't have created that society and still maintained the family structure.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Book III
Feelings on Book III
This just feels wrong to me that this is a stated guideline. People having varing beliefs on this today, but to say that someone should chose to end their life is really absurd.
Woah, intense. I feel like some of these guidelines have real value, but that is very regulated.
That is so awkward!! And a little rude. If everyone is so perfect in the community why is this necessary?
I like this because then every punishment can be customized for the situation. This way the law does not inhibit justice.
I also like that they reward publicly honorable people. It encourages that type of person.
- Terminally ill should choose to die if they can no longer live.
This just feels wrong to me that this is a stated guideline. People having varing beliefs on this today, but to say that someone should chose to end their life is really absurd.
- Restrictions on Marriage: Women marry after 18, men after 22. Punishment for premarital interactions.
Woah, intense. I feel like some of these guidelines have real value, but that is very regulated.
- Witnessing all parts of the prospective spouse.
That is so awkward!! And a little rude. If everyone is so perfect in the community why is this necessary?
- Punishment is determined by Senate not law.
I like this because then every punishment can be customized for the situation. This way the law does not inhibit justice.
I also like that they reward publicly honorable people. It encourages that type of person.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Book II
Things in More's Utopia that I like:
Things in More's Utopia I don't like:
- All the laws in each of the large and well built cities are the same.
- Once a year, three of the wisest Senators go to the country's chief city to discuss concerns.
- This society is takes care that no man may live idle.
- The biblical family philosophy of wives serving their husbands and children their parents.
- That there is no person living in poverty or excess.
Things in More's Utopia I don't like:
- WHY DOESN'T ANYONE WANT ANYTHING?!
- There is no room for creativity or recreation in this society.
Everyone does the same thing. They work at the same times, eat at the same times, and do everything on a schedule. Everything about this society is regulated. This lacks freedom in many aspects and the thing that I hate that it stifles is the most is individualism. In every great musical, there is an individual who faces adverse circumstances, but he still has his own intuition, dreams, and motivations. You can't have that in this utopia and you therefore cannot base a musical off of his society and therefore I do not like it.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Book I
"I do not mean that you should be a slave to any king, but only that you should assist them, and be useful to them."
I like that he says this right after Raphael says I should not enslave myself to any king whatsoever. It takes the tyranny away from the situation to reveal a sense of community in this type of society. Individuals would offer their talents and skills to be helpful to the leadership of the society.
Give preference to human law over divine.
I don't know that I agree with this as I believe God's laws are more valuable than human laws.
A perfect society is for all and not just for one.
It's not really a utopic society if it doesn't fit for everyone. That would be more one person's dream.
Capital punishment is immoral to use so frequently and goes against divine law.
I agree and disagree with this statement. I think frequent use of capital punishment could be considered immoral, however capital punishment as a whole may or may not be looked at like that.
Kings should improve their kingdom and not try to expand.
I like this statement because it encourages rulers to be content with their kingdom and to seek good and improvement within it. Rather than seeking to always gain more territory, they can focus on the welfare of their people.
A prince should take more care of his people than himself.
I really just like the servant leadership mentality. I think it makes for an excellent leadership structure and forms a good nature within a nation's people.
I like that he says this right after Raphael says I should not enslave myself to any king whatsoever. It takes the tyranny away from the situation to reveal a sense of community in this type of society. Individuals would offer their talents and skills to be helpful to the leadership of the society.
"Where virtue hath its due reward, and yet there is such an equality, that every man lives in plenty."
I really like the idea of a society that aknowledges and embraces this statement.
Give preference to human law over divine.
I don't know that I agree with this as I believe God's laws are more valuable than human laws.
A perfect society is for all and not just for one.
It's not really a utopic society if it doesn't fit for everyone. That would be more one person's dream.
Capital punishment is immoral to use so frequently and goes against divine law.
I agree and disagree with this statement. I think frequent use of capital punishment could be considered immoral, however capital punishment as a whole may or may not be looked at like that.
Kings should improve their kingdom and not try to expand.
I like this statement because it encourages rulers to be content with their kingdom and to seek good and improvement within it. Rather than seeking to always gain more territory, they can focus on the welfare of their people.
A prince should take more care of his people than himself.
I really just like the servant leadership mentality. I think it makes for an excellent leadership structure and forms a good nature within a nation's people.
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