Utopia or Dystopia?

1 December 2015

Brave New World
Expo 1213 - What is Work?

Maddy Payne

Brave New World, written by Aldous Huxley, is a contradiction within itself because it presents itself as a utopian society; however, for some it is clearly a dystopian society.  Particularly for the Gamma, Delta, and Epsilon people, it is a utopian society since they were born with a less developed brain because they were given less oxygen before birth.  The three lower classes neither have an understanding of anything besides their basic needs and the norms of society nor do they question the ways of society.  They simply exists and keep the society alive - living, working, reproducing, dying, and repeat.  

Most Alphas and Betas also function in a similar way; however, they have a more developed brain.  And, as a result, a small amount of Alphas will, time to time, question the system and go against the norms of their society - the norms that have been deep seated in them since birth.  An example of a character who does not see this Brave New World as a utopian society is Bernard Marx- an Alpha that does not feel as if he can fit in. 

Brave New World presents a interesting type of utopian society that in a way disguise the characteristics that do not make it a utopian society.  Everyone is "equal;" yet the reproduction system in BNW includes giving certain eggs less oxygen.  Thus, there really is not a choice.  The people of this society are also trained even before birth to act, see, and think a particular way.  There are no wars; there is no poverty.  Everyone is free from religion.  Everyone is free from emotional connections.  Everyone is free from families.  And everybody belongs to everyone else. 

And yet, is it truly a utopian society if people are being controlled to act, think, and see a certain way?  Then there are those like Bernard who break free from the holds of this BNW society; and when he does the society around him quickly goes from being a utopian to a dystopian.  Once Bernard challenged the status quo, goes against society, and starts to think on his own, he is banished by Mustapha Mond. 

Seemingly free.... but not truly.