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Brave New World

Aldous Huxley

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Study Questions & Essay Topics

Study Questions

1. Bernard is criticized by the Director for not acting “infantile” enough. Discuss how and why the World State infantilizes its citizens.


2. Discuss the relation between the sexes in the World State. How do men and women interact? Who holds the power in social situations, in the workplace, and in the government?


3. Discuss the parallels between Brave New World and Shakespeare’s The Tempest.


4. In what ways does the World State treat people like commodities?


Suggested Essay Topics

1. Discuss the relationship between science, religion, and political power in the World State.

2. What are Mustapha Mond’s arguments against freedom? Is there any validity to them? Do you think there is a “winner” of his debate with John?

3. It seems undeniable that most World State members are happy, though people like John, Bernard, and Helmholtz might criticize the quality of their lives. What, then, is wrong with World State society? Discuss the relationship between truth and happiness, and the use of soma?

4. Is John really more free than the World State members? How is he conditioned in his own way?

5. How are the castes distinguished from each other? What is their purpose? Do you think they reflect any aspect of contemporary society or are they simply a hypothetical consequence of a society like the World State?