Symbol-
ism
ism
We are introduced to soma very early in the novel. Name 2 things that soma possibly symbolizes throughout Huxley's novel.
Examples:
Instant Happiness (or the lack thereof), Religion, Social Control, Conformity, Obeying the status quo, Prevention of Emotional Depth
Who said this quote from Chapter 3? "And to tell the truth... I'm beginning to get just a tiny bit bored with nothing but Henry every day."
Lenina
Fact or Fiction: Huxley's childhood nickname was "Popeye" because of his tall stature and toothy smile.
Fiction: Huxley's childhood nickname was "Ogie" (short for Ogre) (6'4 dreadhead feminist btw)
How does the description of the Savage Reservation as a place "not worth the expense of civilizing" reveal the World State's definition of human progress and societal value? (pg.162)
The quote reveals that the World State measures the worth of a society through its economic productivity and usefulness rather than its culture, traditions, or humanity. It suggests that anything that does not contribute to economic efficiency is considered inferior.
A squat grey building of only thirty-four stories. Over the main entrance the words, CENTRAL LONDON HATCHERY AND CONDITIONING CENTRE, and, in a shield, the World State's motto, _____, _____, ______.
COMMUNITY, IDENTITY, STABILITY
In Chapter 11, John becomes a fascination among the people of the World State. What does his sudden popularity symbolize about society?
Society's tendency to turn people who are different into entertainment and spectacles rather than genuinely understanding or accepting them.
Who said this quote from chapter 10?
"I know. But that's all the more reason for severity. His intellectual eminence carries with it corresponding moral responsibilities. The greater a man's talents, the greater his power to lead astray. It is better that one should suffer than that many should be corrupted."
The Director
Fact or Fiction: The Director proudly embraces John as his son in front of all the workers. (ch.10)
""The lower the caste," said Mr. Foster, "the shorter the oxygen." The first organ affected was the brain. After that the skeleton. At seventy per cent of normal oxygen you got dwarfs. At less than seventy eyeless monsters."
How does the Director's description of lower-caste embryos being deliberately stunted reveal the World State's definition of human progress and societal value? (pg. 14 / Chapter 1)
The quote reveals that the World State defines human progress not by expanding human potential or intelligence, but by controlling and limiting it to serve specific economic functions. By intentionally inflicting brain damage and stunting growth to create docile manual laborers, the State shows that it values human beings purely as customized tools for societal stability rather than as individuals with inherent worth or dignity.
"Love's as good as_____"
soma
Chapter 10 opens with the precise time on "four thousand electric clocks" and a description of the Fertilizing Room as a "hive of industry." What larger symbolic meaning does this imagery convey about the World State's attitude toward time and individuality?
It symbolizes the engineering, strict organization, and dehumanization of society. Time is strictly synchronized and manufactured, and human beings are treated like worker bees in a hive rather than unique individuals.
Who said this quote from chapter 11? "The day's soma ration....they get it after their work's over. Four half-gramme tablets. Six on Saturdays."
Bernard Marx
Fact or Fiction: The Director tells Mr. Foster that murder is worse for society than unorthodoxy. (ch. 10)
Fiction: The Director argues that unorthodoxy threatens Society itself, whereas murder only kills an individual.
“‘To say one was a mother—that was past a joke: it was an obscenity.’ How does Huxley’s use of the word ‘obscenity’ reveal the World State’s distortion of traditional human values?”
Huxley uses the word “obscenity” to show how completely the World State has reversed society's understanding of what is natural and acceptable. Motherhood, traditionally associated with love, life, and human connection, is now treated as something shameful. Huxley suggests that when those in power control society's values, they can even make fundamental human experiences seem unnatural.
"The Savage... shows surprisingly little astonishment at, or awe of, civilized inventions. This is partly due to, no doubt, to the fact that he has heard them talked about by....his______."
m---
“‘The remedy was to make the holiday continuous.’ What does the idea of a continuous holiday symbolize about the World State’s approach to human suffering and unhappiness?”
The continuous holiday symbolizes the World State’s desire to escape reality rather than confront it. By keeping citizens constantly distracted through soma, the government prevents them from experiencing difficult emotions or questioning their lives. Huxley suggests that a society obsessed with maintaining happiness at all times sacrifices genuine human experiences, including the ability to grow through pain and hardship.
Who said this quote from chapter 1? "Eternity was in our lips and eyes."
John
Fact or Fiction: John's treatment in the World State suggests that individuality is only valued when it can be transformed into something entertaining or commercially appealing to the masses.
Fact: The people are fascinated by John's differences, but their interest is largely superficial. Rather than accepting him for who he is, they turn his uniqueness into a source of entertainment
"You can't allow people to go popping off into eternity if they've got any serious work to do. But as she hasn't got any serious work..." How does this quote from Chapter 11 reveal the conflict between a society built around productivity and the idea that every human life has inherent value?
The quote reflects how the World State prioritizes productivity and social stability over individual human life. John is considered a distraction because he has no productive role in society, so his death is viewed as less important. It reveals how the World State devalues human life when someone does not contribute to its system, treating people as valuable only when they serve a purpose.
Complete the following quote from chapter 10: ""This hive of industry,"" as ________ was fond of calling it, was in the full buzz of work."
The Director (or just Director)
In Chapter 10, Linda's physical appearance is bloated, sagging, toothless, and aged, shocking everyone in the Fertilizing Room. Symbolically, what does Linda represent in stark contrast to the World State?
Linda symbolizes natural aging, decay, and the unedited reality of the human condition. While the World State artificially preserves youth and represses physical decay until sudden death, Linda is a walking reminder of what existence means.
Rather than who said it, what was the Shakespeare line that John says in chapter 11, when confronted with the sight of all the identical twins being made in the factory?
"O brave new world that has such people in it."
Two truths and a lie:
1. An eye disease called keratitis punctata struck Huxley at age 16, leaving him nearly blind for years and ending his early dream of becoming a doctor.
2. He himself is like Shakespeare; he invented words in English, including futurology, snooty, and sexophone.
3. He died on February 21st, 1965, but his death was completely overshadowed by the deaths of Winston Churchill and Malcolm X on the same day.
Number 3 is the lie. He died on the same day as John F. Kennedy, which was November 22, 1963.
IN SHAKESPEAREAN LANGUAGE, summarize chapter 10.
Haha I can't believe you just did that.
Complete this quote from Chapter 3:
One hundred repetitions three nights a week for four years, thought Bernard Marx, who was a specialist in ______. Sixty-two thousand four hundred repetitions make one truth. Idiots!
Hypnopaedia