Brave New World Setting Analysis
The one characteristic that sets this novel apart from the norm is its setting. It’s so important that it defines not just the ways characters interact with the world, but also how they go about and mentally approach that interaction. The most glaring example of this fact is that, during their initial development, the people living in this world are carefully engineered to belong in certain categories, or social ranks. This conditioning was explained in the beginning of the novel by Mr. Foster to a group of eager students as, “We also predestine and condition. We decant our babies as socialized human beings, as Alphas or Epsilons, as future sewage workers or future... Directors of Hatcheries.” and he later expanded upon this explanation with,
…show more content…
Gammas are stupid. They all wear green, and Delta children wear khaki.” (Huxley 2). This predetermined separation prevents the different groups from interacting and as a result limits the number and variety of people that an individual can interact with. Another side effect of this caste system and conditioning is, that it completely destroys individuality and makes anyone who isn’t part of the norm feel unwelcome. One such example of this issue is the fact that Bernard Marx is seen as an outcast simply for being slightly undersized as was explained in the novel, “‘And then so small.’ Fanny made a grimace; smallness was so horribly and typically low-caste.” (Huxley 3). This feeling of inadequacy left Bernard with a damaged psyche that makes him constantly distressed and paranoid. Bernard is paranoid to the point that he even sees people who are trying to assist him as enemies, “...’you do look glum! What you need is a gramme of soma.’... Bernard had suddenly turned and rushed away.” (Huxley 3). This advanced form of paranoia severely limits how Bernard can interact with others because he will constantly see them as threats to himself. Bernard is experiencing only one of many limitations placed upon the humans in the novel Brave New World, but these limitations are
Gammas are stupid. They all wear green, and Delta children wear khaki.” (Huxley 2). This predetermined separation prevents the different groups from interacting and as a result limits the number and variety of people that an individual can interact with. Another side effect of this caste system and conditioning is, that it completely destroys individuality and makes anyone who isn’t part of the norm feel unwelcome. One such example of this issue is the fact that Bernard Marx is seen as an outcast simply for being slightly undersized as was explained in the novel, “‘And then so small.’ Fanny made a grimace; smallness was so horribly and typically low-caste.” (Huxley 3). This feeling of inadequacy left Bernard with a damaged psyche that makes him constantly distressed and paranoid. Bernard is paranoid to the point that he even sees people who are trying to assist him as enemies, “...’you do look glum! What you need is a gramme of soma.’... Bernard had suddenly turned and rushed away.” (Huxley 3). This advanced form of paranoia severely limits how Bernard can interact with others because he will constantly see them as threats to himself. Bernard is experiencing only one of many limitations placed upon the humans in the novel Brave New World, but these limitations are