In 1963, the same year he died, Huxley published his last book, Island, which depicted a utopia in contrast to the dystopia of Brave New World. His attempt to write screenplays failed, but he developed an interest in hallucinogenic drugs that led to a book about his drug experiences, The Doors of Perception. As war loomed in Europe, Huxley, a pacifist, moved to California, along with his wife, Maria, and their son, Matthew. Huxley published Brave New World, his most successful novel, in 1932. He wrote prolifically throughout the 1920's, publishing numerous essays, sketches, caricatures, and four novels. Though his hopes of a medical career were dashed when an eye disease almost blinded him at 16, he soon built a career as a writer. He attended Eton and Oxford and was skilled and knowledgeable in both literature and science. Huxley was a thoughtful, imaginative child, though his family teased him for his grumbling disposition. Huxley’s father was the editor of Cornhill magazine, while his mother was related to the English poet Matthew Arnold. His grandfather, a biologist, was instrumental in popularizing Darwin's theory of evolution. These ideas will continue through the coming chapters.Aldous Huxley was born into a family of noted scientists and writers. If something is not manufactured scientifically then it is of lower quality. The fact that intercourse is seen as something childish shows that the government has really made a statement about the direction they would like to go in. This shows that natural acts that cannot really be created by science are seen as immature.Īcts that date that far back in history are not possibly held to the same standards as something created scientifically. His reason for this is that it is not really adult-like. Bernard discusses with Lenina how he did not actually want to have intercourse with her earlier in the night. In chapter six when they visit the savage reservation Huxley continues to establish important ideas.

Bernard is starting to show that he is sort of the last hope for the world, and I feel that will play out more in the later stages of the book. He is a moral, rational person put in a society where those values don’t really exist.

He shows that in many ways he represents the ideal person from Huxley’s era. Bernard establishes his character in this chapter. This act also makes Bernard feel really awkward and socially isolated at this point as well. The fact that at this meeting a massive sex orgy is performed is awkward. Despite the fact that society is attempting to condition away from these feelings, Bernard is still able to use human nature to find lust for Lenina.Ĭhapter five is also uncomfortable to the reader. Also, the way in which Bernard lusts for Lenina is interesting. Sex is seen as somewhat of a taboo thing, and yet it is encouraged at some ages. The hypocrisy that exists with love in this society is somewhat amusing. In chapter four more interesting ideas were thrown my way. Man has stumbled upon more power than they deserve in this story. The idea that one pill can completely control the circle of life and give a man that much power is concerning. The introduction of the soma drug also shows how society is becoming less and less natural. The scene at the start made me uncomfortable when it was said how child fornication is desired now. The third chapter once again showed how science could potentially devolve a society. Now Huxley was showing that we can also be conditioned through psychological factors as well. In the first chapter, Huxley showed how human beings had been conditioned through biological factors. This chapter also shows that science is manipulating human beings in more than one way. The fact that science could have such power in society so that people could be conditioned to hate beautiful things is frightening, and Huxley exposes this.

Sparknotes brave new world 7