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Essays on Brave New World

Brave new world essay topics and outline examples, essay title 1: dystopian themes in "brave new world": a critical analysis of social control, consumerism, and individuality.

Thesis Statement: This essay explores the dystopian themes in Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World," focusing on the concepts of social control, consumerism, and the suppression of individuality, and examines their relevance to contemporary society.

• Introduction
• Dystopian Elements: Defining Characteristics of "Brave New World"
• Social Control: The Role of Soma, Conditioning, and Surveillance
• Consumerism: The Pursuit of Pleasure and the Commodification of Life
• Suppression of Individuality: The Conformity of Citizens in the World State
• Relevance to Contemporary Society: Analyzing Parallels and Warnings
• Conclusion: Reflecting on the Ongoing Significance of Huxley's Vision

Essay Title 2: The Role of Technology in "Brave New World": Examining the Impact of Genetic Engineering, Conditioning, and Entertainment

Thesis Statement: This essay investigates the pervasive role of technology in "Brave New World," specifically genetic engineering, conditioning, and entertainment, and analyzes how these elements shape the society portrayed in the novel.

• Technological Advancements: Genetic Engineering and the Creation of Citizens
• Behavioral Conditioning: Shaping Beliefs and Social Roles
• Entertainment and Distraction: The Use of Soma, Feelies, and Escapism
• Impact on Social Order: Maintaining Stability Through Technology
• Critique of Technology: The Dangers and Ethical Questions Raised
• Conclusion: Reflecting on the Relationship Between Technology and Society

Essay Title 3: Character Analysis in "Brave New World": Exploring the Development of John "the Savage" and Bernard Marx

Thesis Statement: This essay provides a comprehensive character analysis of John "the Savage" and Bernard Marx in "Brave New World," examining their backgrounds, motivations, and the roles they play in challenging the societal norms of the World State.

• John "the Savage": Origins, Beliefs, and Struggle for Identity
• Bernard Marx: The Outsider and His Quest for Authenticity
• Comparative Analysis: Contrasting the Journeys of John and Bernard
• Impact on the World State: How These Characters Challenge the System
• Symbolism and Themes: Analyzing Their Roles in the Novel
• Conclusion: Reflecting on the Complex Characters of "Brave New World"

Modern Conflict in Brave New World

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The Relation of Brave New World to Our Society Today

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Ascertaining Whether The Brave New World is Actually Brave

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1932, Aldous Huxley

Science Fiction, Dystopian Fiction

Bernard Marx, Mustapha Mond, Helmholtz Watson, Lenina Crowne, John the Savage

The novel is based on a futuristic society that is heavily controlled and manipulated by a powerful government. It is inspired by Huxley's observations of the rapid scientific and technological advancements during the early 20th century, along with his concerns about the direction in which society was heading. Huxley's vision in "Brave New World" presents a world where individuality and personal freedoms are sacrificed in favor of stability and societal control. The novel explores themes of dehumanization, social conditioning, and the dangers of unchecked scientific progress. It serves as a critique of the emerging consumer culture, where people are distracted and numbed by mindless entertainment and shallow pleasures.

In the futuristic society of "Brave New World," the world is governed by a totalitarian government that controls every aspect of people's lives. Humans are engineered in laboratories and categorized into different castes, each conditioned from birth to fulfill specific roles in society. Among them is Bernard Marx, an Alpha Plus with feelings of alienation and discontent. Bernard travels to a Savage Reservation with Lenina Crowne, his love interest, and encounters John, a young man born to a woman from the civilized world but raised by a native woman on the Reservation. John becomes a symbol of the old, natural ways of life that the World State has eradicated. Back in civilization, John's presence disrupts the rigid social order, leading to chaos and rebellion. However, the government suppresses the uprising and maintains its control. Ultimately, John becomes disillusioned with the superficiality and lack of humanity in the brave new world, leading to tragic consequences.

The setting of "Brave New World" is a dystopian future where the world is tightly controlled by a centralized government known as the World State. The story primarily takes place in London, which serves as the central hub of the World State's operations. London in this future society is a highly advanced city characterized by technological advancements, efficient transportation systems, and elaborate social conditioning. Beyond London, the novel also explores the Savage Reservations, which are isolated regions where people still live in a more primitive and natural state. These reservations are juxtaposed against the highly regulated and artificial world of the World State, highlighting the stark contrast between the two.

One of the central themes is the dehumanization of society in the pursuit of stability and control. The World State prioritizes uniformity and conformity, suppressing individuality and natural human emotions. This theme raises questions about the price of a utopian society and the loss of essential human qualities. Another theme is the manipulation of technology and science. In this dystopian world, advancements in genetic engineering and conditioning have been taken to extreme levels, resulting in the creation of predetermined social classes and the elimination of familial bonds. This theme highlights the potential dangers of unchecked scientific progress and the ethical implications of playing with human nature. Additionally, the novel explores the theme of the power of knowledge and the importance of intellectual freedom. The characters in "Brave New World" struggle with the limitations placed on their understanding of the world and the suppression of critical thinking. This theme emphasizes the importance of independent thought and the pursuit of knowledge in maintaining individuality and resisting oppressive systems.

One prominent device is symbolism, where objects or concepts represent deeper meanings. For example, the "Savage Reservation" symbolizes a world untouched by the World State's control, showcasing the contrasting values of individuality and natural human emotions. Another literary device employed is irony, which serves to highlight the disparity between appearances and reality. The World State's motto, "Community, Identity, Stability," is ironically juxtaposed with the lack of true community and individual identity. The citizens' pursuit of happiness and stability comes at the expense of their authentic emotions and experiences. A significant literary device used in the novel is foreshadowing, where hints or clues are given about future events. The repeated mention of the phrase "Everybody's happy now" foreshadows the disturbing truth beneath the facade of happiness and contentment. Additionally, the author employs satire to critique and ridicule societal norms and values. The exaggerated portrayal of consumerism, instant gratification, and the devaluation of art and literature satirizes the shallow and superficial aspects of the World State's culture.

One notable example is the television adaptation of the novel. In 2020, a television series titled "Brave New World" was released, bringing Huxley's dystopian world to life. The series delves into the themes of technology, social control, and individual freedom, exploring the consequences of a society built on conformity and pleasure. The novel has also inspired numerous references and allusions in music, literature, and film. For instance, the band Iron Maiden released a song called "Brave New World" in 2000, drawing inspiration from the novel's themes of societal manipulation and the loss of individuality. The song serves as a commentary on the dangers of an oppressive system. Furthermore, the concept of a technologically advanced but morally bankrupt society depicted in "Brave New World" has influenced science fiction works, such as "The Matrix" and "Blade Runner." These films explore themes of control, identity, and the implications of a society driven by technology, echoing the concerns raised in Huxley's novel.

"Brave New World" has had a significant influence on literature, philosophy, and popular culture since its publication. The novel's exploration of themes such as totalitarianism, technology, social conditioning, and individuality has resonated with readers across generations. One major area of influence is in dystopian literature. "Brave New World" established a blueprint for the genre, inspiring subsequent works such as George Orwell's "1984" and Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale." These novels, among many others, have drawn upon Huxley's critique of societal control and the dangers of sacrificing individual freedom for stability and pleasure. The novel's influence also extends to the fields of psychology and sociology. The concept of social conditioning, exemplified by the conditioning techniques in the novel, has contributed to discussions on the influence of environment and societal norms on individual behavior. Additionally, "Brave New World" has made a lasting impact on popular culture, with its themes and phrases becoming embedded in the collective consciousness. References to the novel can be found in music, films, and even political discourse, highlighting its enduring relevance.

Brave New World is an important novel to write an essay about due to its enduring relevance and thought-provoking themes. Aldous Huxley's dystopian vision offers a powerful critique of the dangers of unchecked scientific and technological progress, as well as the potential consequences of a society driven by pleasure, conformity, and the suppression of individuality. By exploring complex topics such as social conditioning, consumerism, and the loss of human connection, Brave New World prompts readers to reflect on their own society and its values. It raises critical questions about the nature of happiness, free will, and the balance between individual freedom and societal control. Furthermore, the novel's literary techniques, such as its vivid imagery, symbolism, and satire, provide ample material for analysis and interpretation. Students can delve into Huxley's use of irony, character development, and narrative structure to deepen their understanding of the novel and engage in critical analysis.

"Words can be like X-rays if you use them properly -- they'll go through anything. You read and you're pierced." "Happiness is never grand." "Civilization has absolutely no need of nobility or heroism. These things are symptoms of political inefficiency. In a properly organized society like ours, nobody has any opportunities for being noble or heroic." "You can't make flivvers without steel, and you can't make tragedies without social instability." "But I don't want comfort. I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger, I want freedom, I want goodness. I want sin."

1. Huxley, A. (2007). Brave New World (1932). Reading Fiction, Opening the Text, 119. (https://link.springer.com/book/9780333801338#page=128) 2. Woiak, J. (2007). Designing a brave new world: eugenics, politics, and fiction. The Public Historian, 29(3), 105-129. (https://online.ucpress.edu/tph/article/29/3/105/89976/Designing-a-Brave-New-World-Eugenics-Politics-and) 3. Kass, L. R. (2000). Aldous Huxley Brave new world (1932). First Things: A Monthly Journal of Religion and Public Life, 51-51. (https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA60864210&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=10475141&p=AONE&sw=w) 4. Meckier, J. (2002). Aldous Huxley's Americanization of the" Brave New World" Typescript. Twentieth Century Literature, 48(4), 427-460. (https://www.jstor.org/stable/3176042) 5. Feinberg, J. S., & Feinberg, P. D. (2010). Ethics for a Brave New World, (Updated and Expanded). Crossway. (https://www.crossway.org/books/ethics-for-a-brave-new-world-second-edition-ebook/) 6. Buchanan, B. (2002). Oedipus in Dystopia: Freud and Lawrence in Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. Journal of Modern Literature, 25(3), 75-89. (https://muse.jhu.edu/article/46720) 7. McGiveron, R. O. (1998). Huxley's Brave New World. The Explicator, 57(1), 27-30. (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00144949809596803?journalCode=vexp20) 8. Higdon, D. L. (2002). The Provocations of Lenina in Huxley's Brave New World. International Fiction Review, 29(1/2), 78-83. (https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/IFR/article/download/7719/8776?inline=1)

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Brave New World

Aldous huxley, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Aldous Huxley's Brave New World . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

Brave New World: Introduction

Brave new world: plot summary, brave new world: detailed summary & analysis, brave new world: themes, brave new world: quotes, brave new world: characters, brave new world: symbols, brave new world: theme wheel, brief biography of aldous huxley.

Historical Context of Brave New World

Other books related to brave new world.

• Full Title: Brave New World
• When Written: 1931
• Where Written: France
• When Published: 1932
• Literary Period: Modernism
• Genre: Dystopian fiction
• Setting: London and New Mexico, under the fictional World State government
• Climax: The debate between Mustapha Mond and John
• Antagonist: The World State; Mustapha Mond
• Point of View: Third Person

Extra Credit for Brave New World

Lukewarm Reception. Though Brave New World is now considered to be one of the most important works of dystopian fiction ever written, its reception in the 1930s was much more restrained, even negative. It was dismissed by some reviewers as an unsophisticated joke and as repugnant in its account of promiscuous sexuality. Granville Hicks, an American Communist, even attacked Huxley as privileged, saying his book showed that Huxley was out of touch with actual human misery.

The Doors of Rock and Roll. As one might expect, Huxley's book about his experiences with hallucinogenic drugs, The Doors of Perception , was a cult classic among certain groups. One of those groups was a rock and roll band in search of a name. After Jim Morrison and his friends read Huxley's book, they had one: The Doors.

Brave New World

Introduction to brave new world.

Aldous Huxley ’s dystopic novel , Brave New World , was published in 1932. It became an instant hit for the way it presented the futuristic world as amazing and stunning at that time when WWII was still not on the horizon and the people were technologically not as advanced as presented in this novel. On account of the ingenious presentation of that social fabric, the novel was ranked as the best English novel of the century. Huxley wrote sequels in essay form Brave New World Revisited (1958), and with his final novel, Island (1962). The story revolves around the World State where people have been put into hierarchical order after they come out of hatcheries and are graded on the basis of their functions and performance duly monitoring and surveilled.

Summary of Brave New World

The story starts from the Hatching and Conditioning Centre, located in London where its director and assistants are lecturing the touring boys. They learn about processes Bokanovsky and Podsnap used for creating identical human beings through the embryonic processes in which different human beings are produced in factories into separate castes of Alpha and Beta at the top. The Alpha takes up the higher positions in the World States and other positions go to other castes in hierarchical order. The last race, the Epsilons, are occupying the final stage at the bottom of the hierarchy for doing labor. One of the employees also informs the boys about the vaccination procedure. From there, they visit the Nursery and see the programming of the infants through different techniques. Such as the use of ‘Soma’ drugs to escape unpleasant experiences.

When the students come into the open, they see games and sexual acts where a World Controller, Mustapha Mond, delivers a lecture to the touring students about history, the State’s narrative , and the nation’s ideology. Simultaneously, Lenina talks to Fanny about her intimacy with Henry Foster at which Fanny rebukes her for becoming too intimate and not being promiscuous. However, Lenina also informs her that she has already met Bernard Marx, a short and funny-looking guy for an Alpha caste and different than his peers.

Meanwhile, Bernard becomes furious about Lenina’s mention in the conversation of Henry and one of the assistants. Engaged in work, Lenina then informs Bernard that she would be gladdened to have the trip to the Savage Reservation. Meanwhile, Bernard meets his friend, Helmholtz Watson, for having disenchanted from the World Estate on account of their shortcomings. When Bernard applies for permission to visit the reservation, he has to go through the rigors of listening to the director’s tales before winning it. The director becomes nostalgic by mentioning his own trip to Reservation twenty years ago with a woman who was never to be recovered. He also learns about his exile and reviles at it but then moves to the reservation.

When he is on the reservation, he and Lenina are surprised to see its aging population contrary to the youth of the World State. They also watch religious rituals going on and they meet John, who narrates the story of Linda, his mother having met years back. Bernard senses Linda associated with his director in the past and learns about her ostracization from the village because of her willingness to sleep with various men and her book reading habit developed by Pope, her former lover. When Bernard agrees to take John to his world, he also asks him to take Linda with him.

Then Bernard promises him and asks Mustapha for permission to take Linda back. All of them fly back to London where the Director is waiting to confront Bernard, but he brings John and Linda instead and forces the Director to resign. So, John becomes a big hit in the society of London on account of his alienated look. However, he does not fit well in this world and with Lenina. Although Bernard becomes promiscuous, John hardly touches Lenina who becomes confused over his self-control and tries to seduce him on many occasions but fails. Despite Bernard’s insistence, John stays reclusive and refuses to meet important guests. Bernard, then, introduces him to Helmholtz and others and ridicules the reading of Romeo and Juliet by John for these ideas being foreign to the World State and its existing cultural milieu.

Lenina soon takes to John, visiting his apartment and taking soma. She confesses her feelings for him and he reciprocates. Hearing this she offers herself to him but ridiculed by the promiscuity of the World state he curses by using the lines from Shakespeare. However, John rebuffs her every effort. During this time, he comes to know about the death of Linda while Lenina was in the bathroom. He, later, says goodbye to her at the Hospital for the Dying. John is left to meet the clones having their soma ration. He tries to raise a rebellion among them but only causes riots which attract the attention of Helmholtz and Bernard.

However, the police arrive and arrest them all to bring them to Mustapha Mond. There they hold a debate on the policies, leading to John argue his cause and Mond responding to his arguments . While John argues in the favor of art and religion, Mond rejects his claims , adding these are useless things. Soon he exiles Helmholtz and throws Bernard out, threatening to reassign him to Iceland. Meanwhile, John says goodbye to them and stays far away in an abandoned lighthouse to purify himself by starving and flagellating. This catches the attention of a photographer leading many sight viewers to visit John. Meanwhile, Lenina arrives at which John calls her ‘strumpet’ and whipping her and himself. He cries out at her ‘Kill it, kill it’. The intensity of emotion leads the crowd to engage a party in which John participates. At the final realization, he commits suicide for submitting to the World State after that.

Major Themes in Brave New World

• Commodification: The novel shows the commodification of life in that human beings are being hatched, brought up, taught, and eliminated as if they are commodities. When the touring students come to know about hatcheries, they also learn how they are run. Thomas is monitoring Hatcheries and Conditioning Centers where Marx and Foster have been born to lead others. Crowne and Linda, too, show commodified human beings. When John visits the World State, he comes to know the application of this commodification by the upper class to keep on ruling the lower class. The purpose of commodification has been shared by Bokanvosky’s process in which it has been ensured that the new generation conforms to the social structure they are going to live in.
• Dystopian Society: The novel presents a dystopian society where human beings have lost not only their freedom but also their independence. Emotionless, they are being marked in the D.H.C. assembly line. Even if they have some common sense , they keep it to themselves such as Thomas and Marx. Human natural conditioning and mental preparation have also created a dystopia where human beings have become subservient to machines and mechanical behavior. That is why Lenina fails in hooking John who questions this very culture of the World State.
• Utilitarianism: The novel shows utilitarianism through the efforts of Big Brother to establish the Hatcheries for human production as well as conditioning. The savage, John, who visits the World State, comes to know this mechanical routine and detests it. He thinks that Soma food does not fit human beings. Instead of appreciating, he rather berates it and debates it with Mustapha. However, John preaches that though this system utilizes human beings, it is not akin to nature such as taking soma to experience human emotions is unnatural. Lenina’s engagement in promiscuity and her suicide points to the absence of this natural element she could not brook.
• Misuse of Science: brave new world shows the thematic strand of the misuse of science in that human engineering through hatching and conditioning has created desired characters. However, they do not conform to the new ethical framework of the World State. The director briefs the student about the paid voluntary work and conditioning of the Alpha males. The characters of Helmholtz and Bernard Marx have been conditioned, yet they are independent in their thinking most of the time. When Marx does not conform to the standards set by the World State, he is exiled. Similarly, hypnopedia for children and soma food point to this misuse of science.
• Dehumanization: The novel presents the dehumanization of its characters through different strategies adopted by the political elite. Human engineering and scientific techniques have successfully changed the behavior of some characters, yet humanity emerges from Lenina who does not find peace or Helmholtz and Marx who do not conform to the existing rules. Although soma has done its job well, yet the use of Bokanvosky’s process has, to some extent, makes dehumanization possible.
• Consumer Society: The theme of consumerism is significant in the novel in that human beings in the World State are primarily consumers who are fed with specific conditioning and specific food, soma, in order for them to conform to the social fabric created by the World State. That is why John does not become its consumer and shows other characters independence of thinking beyond marketing mechanism.
• Human Emotions: The novel sheds light on human emotions that though they could be engineered, robbed, taken away, and even subverted, yet human beings have the capability to feel empathy, sympathy and realize the dearth of these emotions. That is why when Lenina does not feel soma resolving her problems, she commits suicide and Bernard Marx has shown his desire to control his emotions.
• Genetic Engineering: The production line of the Hatchery and Conditioning center shows that the genetic engineering of humanity and its threat to the natural life cycle is not a figment of imagination. The creation of Alpha males or even the best human beings as argued by Mustapha does not seem a far-fetched idea. The subversion of the thoughts of Lenina and Bernard Marx and the surprising arguments of John show that humanity is facing this threat now .
• New Totalitarianism: The theme of new totalitarianism is significant. It is seen through characters like Mustapha Mond or Bernard Marx, as they are being controlled by the center. The World State has produced a culture where individuals have lost their individuality. Thomas views this as an “inescapable social identity” of every individual that conforms to the social structure engineered by the World State.

Major Characters Brave New World

• Bernard Marx: Bernard Marx is one of the protagonists along with John as they meet during the trip of the students to the hatchery. His special task is to teach sleep learning. Belonging to Alpha plus class has blessed him to think independently, a feature that makes him unfit for the World State society. It is, however, attributed to his stunted growth due to alcohol addiction. His mental independence has given him a feature that makes him empathetic toward others. Most of his character traits show that his condition is not executed properly and that his indifference lies in this. That is why he does not enjoy taking soma and feels a grudge against Lenina for enjoying her life. He leaves the World State by the end after his meeting with Helmholtz as he does not seem to fit into the society where his life constantly faces threats.
• John the Savage: Despite his supposed savageness, John is an important character in the novel. He was brought up on the Savage Reservation where he has learned sympathy and empathy, his two manly traits. Despite his otherness in the World State, he seems supposedly unethical except when he comes to know about Malpais. He could not understand the promiscuity of his mother and the enjoyment of the Malpasian males. His poetic rendering stays with him despite his tour of the World State and giving priority to freedom and not reconciling with existing contradictions, he ends his life.
• Helmholtz Watson: The character of Helmholtz Watson is equally important when starts to involve in the building of a new culture through engaging himself in emotional engineering. Befriending Bernard Marx has given him a point to vie for his attractiveness and intelligence despite his efforts to rationalize his dislike for him. Surprisingly, he loves poetry and lashes out at the wrong cultural engineering at the World State policy though he has been brought upon in a culture different from that of John the Savage. When he helps John to throw away soma by the end, he is exiled from the World State, considering his assistance an act of rebellion.
• Lenina Crowne: A teenager of just 19, Lenina Crowne is a female character of the novel who is working in the hatchery as a technician. Despite her being a lucky figure in the World State, she is promiscuous and becomes easy-going with almost everyone. Being in a relationship with Henry Foster does not impact her. She often uses soma to support her emotional state and goes to the reservation to enjoy life with Marx. When John spurns her advances by the end, she disappears from the novel.
• Mustapha Mond: As the controller in the country, Mond presides over the administration of one zone to consolidate the reins of the government. He controls the people about their do’s and don’ts in this connection and knows what to put on the pedestal of sacrifice for the greater good of the state. Although he is a physicist, he loves to please the public by proving that history is just a bunk and nothing else. He has evolved his own concepts about different social and individual values and finally lets John go to his mother by the end of the novel.
• Henry Foster: As an Alpha male, Foster musters the courage to flirt with Lenina, though, he quits immediately sensing his own future going to dogs. His casual behavior angers Bernard who warns him after which he moves on with the conventions, not showing his waywardness.
• Linda: Belonging to Beta-minus class, Linda is another significant female character who has a savage son, has brought upon on the reservations, yet she works in the Fertilizing Room. Having become a prostitute, Linda shows her other side that she cannot tolerate the type of life. Not able to bear it anymore, she takes too much soma to take her life.
• Thomas: Working as a D. H. C., Thomas is well-known in his circle as Tomakin and only appears in the initial chapters of the story. He briefs the students about the working of the hatchery and its role in the World State. Having a pedantic persona , Tomakin keeps a close watch on rebellious people like Bernard to whom he dispatches to Iceland as punishment. He resigns after Bernard confronts him about John to whom he fathered on the Reservation.
• Fanny Crowne: A friend of Lenina, Fanny presents herself as a typical lady in the World State. She is not her relative, yet she has a strong impact on Lenina in ruining her life by asking her to become promiscuous. Despite her own conditioning, she advises others to go wayward which is rather a surprising thing about her.
• Benito Hoover: A minor character, Hoover loves Lenina despite belonging to the Alpha class in the state. His name signifies two great dictators of the WWII era.

Writing Style of Brave New World

The writing style of Brave New World is known for highly detailed and technologically loaded diction . The characters are conditioned to live in that technologically modified world where the use of emotions is considered an abomination. The overall ironic style is called a mocking style in which the most vital information is held to be disclosed quite late in the text. It happens not only in the case of Bernard but also in Lenina. However, in terms of language, Huxley is highly precise to the point of clinical accuracy. He knows how to use diction appropriately to convey suitable meanings. For figurative language and literary devices , the author mostly turned toward metaphors , similes, irony , and sarcasm .

Analysis of the Literary Devices in Brave New World

• Action: The main action of the novel comprises the whole life and growth of the political landscape of the World State as shown through Mustapha Mond, John, Bernard, and Lenina. The falling action occurs John could not brook the situation, isolates himself, and engages in punishing himself. The rising action moment of the novel arrives when Marx and Lenina visit the Savage Reservation and meets John.
• Anaphora : The novel shows examples of anaphora such as, i. We slacken off the circulation when they’re right way up, so that they’re half starved, and double the flow of surrogate when they’re upside down. They learn to associate topsy-turvydom with well-being; in fact, they’re only truly happy when they’re standing on their heads. (Chapter-One) The example shows the repetitious use of “they’re.”
• Alliteration : brave new world shows the use of alliteration at several places as the examples given below, i. Government’s an affair of sitting, not hitting. You rule with the brains and the buttocks, never with the fists. For example, there was the conscription of consumption. (Chapter-3) ii. “As though I’d been saying something shocking,” thought Lenina. “He couldn’t look more upset if I’d made a dirty joke–asked him who his mother was, or something like that.” (Chapter-4) iii. But though the separating screen of the sky-signs had now to a great extent dissolved, the two young people still retained their happy ignorance of the night . (Chapter-5) Both of these examples from the novel show the use of consonant sounds such as the sound of /s/ occurring after an interval to make the prose melodious and rhythmic.
• Allusion : The novel shows good use of different allusions as given in the below examples, i. “Well, Lenina,” said Mr. Foster, when at last she withdrew the syringe and straightened herself up. (Chapter-I) ii. “O wonder!” he was saying; and his eyes shone, his face was brightly flushed. “How many goodly creatures are there here! How beauteous mankind is!” (Chapter-8) iii. He hated Popé more and more. A man can smile and smile and be a villain. Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain. What did the words exactly mean? (Chapter-8) iv. Did he dare? Dare to profane with his unworthiest hand that … No, he didn’t. The bird was too dangerous. His hand dropped back. How beautiful she was! How beautiful! (Chapter-9) The first example shows the reference to Lenin, the second to The Tempest by Shakespeare and the third to Hamlet , and the fourth to Romeo and Juliet both by Shakespeare.
• Antagonist : Mustapha Mond is the antagonist of the novel as he appears to have tried his best to spread the domination of the World State by working as the Controller.
• Conflict : The novel shows both external and internal conflicts. The external conflict is going on between John who has been bred up in the natural world and other characters who have been conditioned. There is also an internal conflict in the mind of Lenina who could not brook this controlling atmosphere .
• Characters: The novel shows both static as well as dynamic characters. The young boy, John, is a dynamic character as he shows a considerable transformation in his behavior and conduct by the end of the novel. However, all other characters are static as they do not show or witness any transformation such as Mustapha Mond, Bernard Marx, and Helmholtz Watson as well as Fanny.
• Climax : The climax in the novel occurs when Linda commits suicide and John vows to bring a revolution to change the system.
• Foreshadowing : The novel shows many instances of foreshadows. For example, i. 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. (Chapter-1) ii. INFANT NURSERIES. NEO-PAVLOVIAN CONDITIONING ROOMS, announced the notice board. (Chapter-II) The mention of state, slogans, and nurseries show that this is some modern state set in the future. Therefore, this is an apt use of foreshadows.
• Hyperbole : The novel shows various examples of hyperboles such as, i. He was digging in his garden–digging, too, in his own mind, laboriously turning up the substance of his thought. Death–and he drove in his spade once, and again, and yet again. (Chapter-18) ii. The Savage nodded. “I ate civilization.” “What?” “It poisoned me; I was defiled. And then,” he added, in a lower tone , “I ate my own wickedness. (Chapter-18) Both examples exaggerate things as digging the mind and eating civilization are exaggerations .
• Imagery : brave new world shows the use of imagery . A few examples are given below, i. Hot tunnels alternated with cool tunnels. Coolness was wedded to discomfort in the form of hard X-rays. By the time they were decanted the embryos had a horror of cold. They were predestined to emigrate to the tropics, to be miner and acetate silk spinners and steel workers. Later on their minds would be made to endorse the judgment of their bodies. (Chapter-1) ii. There was a loud noise, and he woke with a start. A man was saying something to Linda, and Linda was laughing. She had pulled the blanket up to her chin, but the man pulled it down again. His hair was like two black ropes, and round his arm was a lovely silver bracelet with blue stones in it. (Chapter-8) iii. A moment later he was inside the room. He opened the green suit-case; and all at once he was breathing Lenina’s perfume, filling his lungs with her essential being. His heart beat wildly; for a moment he was almost faint. (Chapter-9) The above examples show images of feeling, sight, color, and sound.
• Metaphor : brave new world shows perfect use of various metaphors as given in the below examples, i. Two shrimp-brown children emerged from a neighbouring shrubbery, stared at them for a moment with large, astonished eyes, then returned to their amusements among the leaves. (Chapter-4) ii. Lenina did her best to stop the ears of her mind; but every now and then a phrase would insist on becoming audible. (Chapter-6) iii. The rock was like bleached bones in the moonlight. (Chapter-8) These examples show that several things have been compared directly in the novel as the first shows a comparison of children to fish, Lenina’s mind to a body, and rock to bones.
• Mood : The novel shows various moods; it starts with quite a dry and rocking mood and turns to be highly exciting at times and tragic when it reaches Linda’s suicide.
• Motif : Most important motifs of the novel, Brave New World, are sex, drugs, and consumerism.
• Narrator : The novel is narrated from the third-person point of view , which is the author himself.
• Personification : The novel shows examples of personifications such as, John began to understand. “Eternity was in our lips and eyes,” he murmured. (Chapter-11) ii. Pierced by every word that was spoken, the tight balloon of Bernard’s happy self-confidence was leaking from a thousand wounds. (Chapter-12) These examples show as if the eternity and balloon have feelings and lives of their own.
• Protagonist : Bernard Marx is the protagonist of the novel. The novel starts with his entry into the world and moves forward as he grows and transforms.
• Repetition : The novel shows the use of repetition as given in the below example, i. “ Silence , silence,” whispered a loud speaker as they stepped out at the fourteenth floor, and “Silence, silence,” the trumpet mouths indefatigably repeated at intervals down every corridor. The students and even the Director himself rose automatically to the tips of their toes. They were Alphas, of course, but even Alphas have been well conditioned. “Silence, silence.” All the air of the fourteenth floor was sibilant with the categorical imperative. (Chapter-2) This passage from the second chapter shows the repetition of “silence.”
• Setting : The setting of the novel is the dystopian future country of the World State showing events of 632AF.
• Simile : The novel shows good use of various similes as given in the below examples, i. The tropical sunshine lay like warm honey on the naked bodies of children tumbling promiscuously among the hibiscus blossom. (Chapter-4) ii. Like the vague torsos of fabulous athletes, huge fleshy clouds lolled on the blue air above their heads. (Chapter-4) iii. At Brentford the Television Corporation’s factory was like a small town. (Chapter-4) iv. Words can be like X-rays, if you use them properly–they’ll go through anything. (Chapter-4) These are similes as the use of the word “like” shows the comparison between different things. The first example shows sunshine compared to honey, the torsos of athletes to clouds, the factory to a town, and the words to X-rays.

Related posts:

• Brave New World Themes
• Brave New World Characters
• The World is Too Much With Us
• All the World’s a Stage
• Once the World Was Perfect
• Discovery Of the New World
•  All the World’s a Stage
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• The House Was Quiet and The World Was Calm
• Aldous Huxley

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Huxley's Brave new world : essays

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111 Brave New World Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

The importance of Aldous Huxley’s novel Brave New World can’t be overestimated. Today, its themes are as relevant as ever. If you’re looking for Brave New World essay titles or examples, you’re on the right page! But first, check out our simple writing guide.

🔝 Top 10 Brave New World Essay Topics

🏆 best brave new world topic ideas & essay examples, ✔️ good research topics about brave new world, 🔍 interesting topics to write about brave new world, ❓ brave new world essay questions, ✅ interesting brave new world research paper topics, brave new world essay topics: how to choose.

First, you should pick up the topic. The first thing that your readers interact with when they read your paper is the topic and title. That’s why you should carefully select the issue you’re going to discuss in the essay.

Here’s how to select the perfect paper subject:

• Carefully read the essay instructions. Make sure that you understand them correctly.
• Look through the Brave New World essay examples on the page below. Make notes while reading them and select relevant topics.
• Adapt the topic to meet your requirements and start the research.

Brave New World Thesis: How to Write

After you’ve finished your research, it’s time to write Brave New World thesis statement. It should reflect what your paper will be about.

Remember, you should analyze the book instead of summarizing, unless you’re assigned to write a book summary. Keep the thesis statement short and strong.

Brave New World Essay Outline

The next step is to create a Brave New World essay outline. The more detailed it is, the easier will be the whole writing process. Point out key ideas you’re going to cover in your writing: your opinion, supporting arguments, and research results.

In your Brave New World essay introduction present your topic and thesis statement. Then, in the main body, share your point of view and provide supporting arguments. Lastly, in conclusion, summarize the key issues.

Brave New World Essay Prompts

Now, let’s talk about the content of your future paper. Below, you’ll find examples of Brave New World essay questions with prompts to discuss in your writing:

• Happiness and truth. Can anyone be happy without expressing their will freely? What are the elements of happiness described in the book? Investigate, what do you think happiness is and what constitutes it.
• Characters. Who is your favorite character? Provide in-depth character analysis in your paper.
• Shakespeare and John. What is the role of Shakespeare in Brave New World?
• What modern issues does Brave New World cover? How does the novel correlate to current events? Provide examples.
• Theme of drugs. How does soma contribute to the main theme of the novel? Express your opinion if people should self-medicate when they want to avoid true emotions?
• Theme of love. Is there a place for love and sentiment in the World State?
• Racial equality. How does the author describe gender and racial equality in the book? Does the World State have it?
• Depression and suicide. What are the reasons that led to John’s suicide? Could he avoid it?
• Technology and its impact on society. How did technological breakthroughs impact the establishment of the World State? How does the power of technology affect the citizens of the World State?

Aldous Huxley’s book still remains one of the most controversial masterpieces and has much more ideas for analysis than we provided above. IvyPanda essay samples presented below will also reveal some interesting opinions and thoughts you can use as a source of inspiration for your writing. Whether you’re looking for argumentative, descriptive, narrative, and expository essay topics, check the paper examples below!

• The World State’s Idea of Perfection
• The Role of Escapism in Huxley’s Novel
• Huxley’s Novel as a Critique of Modernity
• Love in a World of Artificial Happiness
• Individuality vs. Conformity in Brave New World
• Themes of Control and Oppression in Brave New World
• Technology as a Double-Edged Sword in Huxley’s Novel
• Conditioning and Indoctrination in Brave New World
• Freedom of Thought vs. Censorship in the World State
• Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World and Contemporary Societies
• The Brave New World Dystopia by Aldous Huxley The primary assertion in the novel is that the cost of this stability is the loss of individuality, creativity, and genuine human connection.
• Quotations in Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World” It was the sort of idea that might easily decondition the more unsettled minds among the higher castes make them lose their faith in happiness as the Sovereign Good and take to believing, instead, that […]
• Comparison of G. Orwell’s “1984”, R. Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” and A. Huxley’s “Brave New World” The leadership is in charge of virtually each and every single activity that takes place in the lives of the inhabitants of the society.
• Dystopias “Brave New World” by Huxley and “1984” by Orwell The modern world is full of complications and the moments when it seems like a dystopia the darkest version of the future. In the novel, promiscuity is encouraged, and sex is a form of entertainment.
• The Dystopian Societies of “1984” and Brave New World The three features which are discussed in this respect are the division of the two societies into social strata, the use of state power and control over citizens, and the loss of people’s individualities.
• Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley He chooses to stay on, despite his clear disapproval of the society around him Before his trip to the wilds, he becomes aware of the imminent threat of exile.
• Technology Control in Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World” They leave you with a, but there is a self-limiting effect of all of our contemporary psychotropics and mood-alterers. The tabloid news is full of people who have become addicted to prescription drugs, or find […]
• Brave New World by Aldous Huxley: Novel Analysis In addition, the clash of Alphas and Betas is drastic some strive for recognition and living in a fake world, while others try to preserve their human nature.
• The Future of Society in “Brave New World” by Huxley and “Amusing Ourselves to Death” by Postman Thus, this work will study the similarities between the visions of the authors of these literary works and their view of society.
• Huxley’s Brave New World Review Huxley has written in the introduction of his recent print of the book that much of the inspiration for the book was a result of his visit to the high technology Brunner and Mond plant […]
• Circumstance and Individual in Huxley’s “Brave New World” He is not allowed to participate fully in the rites and ceremonies of the Reservation, so he fashions his system of thought out of the scripture and the dramas he reads.
• Biographical Analysis of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World The writers came up with books and articles that tried to warn the society about the effects of their actions, while others tried to educate the society on what it needed to do to better […]
• Novel Response: Brave New World For instance, he uses changes in the world state society of the characters to illustrate how the changes influence their lives in a negative way.
• Common Theme Between Books These include psychological manipulation of the citizens, exercising physical control on the people, and using technology to control information, history and the citizens for the benefit of the party.
• The Predicted Modern Society in “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley
• The Depiction of the Utopian Community in Huxley’s “Brave New World”
• The Funhouse Mirror: An Examination of Distortion of Government in Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World”
• The Consequences of Living in a Society Under a Totalitarian Rule in Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World”
• An Analysis of Satiric Elements in “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley
• The Lost of Emotions for Social Stability in Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World”
• Alcohol in Our Society; Huxley’s View in Relation To “Brave New World”
• The Similarities Between Government Control and Suppression of Individuality in “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley
• The Satirical Representation of the Perfect Society in Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World”
• Constant Individual Conditioning Is Needed to Reinforce Society in Huxley’s “Brave New World”
• An Analysis of the Reality That the World Have Inhuman Society Controlled by Technology in “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley
• The Theme of History in “Brave New World” by Arthur Huxley and “1984” by George Orwell
• The Origin of Happiness in “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley
• An Analysis of Propaganda and Hypnopaedic Teachings in “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley
• A Literary Analysis of a “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley
• Suppression of Individuality in Huxley’s “Brave New World”
• The Important Role of Reproductive Technology in the Social Control of “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley
• A Contrast Between Two Societies in Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World”
• The Superficial Reality of “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley
• The Advancement of Science and Its Effects on the Individual in “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley
• The Social and Sexual Interaction in the “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley
• The Values of Society in Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World” and Ridley Scott’s “Blade Runner”
• A Review of the Dangers of Technology in “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley
• The Moral Dilemmas in Our Society in “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley
• An Analysis of the Futuristic London in the Novel “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley
• The Theme of Selfishness in a “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley
• The Implications of Having Adults Filled With Suggestions From the States in “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley
• The Dystopian and Utopian Societies in “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley and “1984” by George Orwell
• The Pursuit of Happiness in Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World”
• A Society of Drugs and Promiscuous Sexual Relations in a “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley
• Using Soma to Find Happiness and Pleasure in “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley
• The Issue of Cloning as Described in Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World”
• The Role of Government and Technology in Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World”
• The Role of Technology in Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World”
• The Importance of Soma in Control of Social Stability in Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World”
• An Overview of the Construction of “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley
• The Portrayal of Community, Identity and Stability in Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World”
• The Use of Distortion in “Brave New World” By Aldous Huxley
• A Critique the Depiction of Role of Science in “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley
• The Non-Existence of Individualism in the “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley
• An Analysis of the Advancement of Science in “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley
• Utopia and Dystopia in the Futuristic Novel “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley
• How Does “Brave New World” Illustrate the Point of Happiness?
• Does “Brave New World” Suggest That We Should Seek Something Else in Life Rather Than Our Happiness?
• How Are Women’s Bodies and Reproduction Depicted Within “Brave New World”?
• What Are the Parallels Between “Brave New World” and Our World Today?
• How Does “Brave New World” Compare to Biology?
• What Does “Brave New World” Suggest Be Valuable?
• How Does “Brave New World” Resemble the 21st Century?
• Why Does John Reject the Civilization Represented in “Brave New World”?
• How Does “Brave New World” Reflect the Context in Which It Was Written?
• Why Would Shakespeare Not Work in Brave New World?
• How Does the Novel “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley Suggest That the Individual Will Be Treated in the Future?
• Will Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World” Be Our Brave New World?
• How Far Have the Prophecies of “Brave New World” Come True?
• What Are Mustapha Mond’s Arguments Against Freedom in “Brave New World”?
• How Does Huxley’s “Brave New World” Portray Authority of Science and Technology on Society?
• Is John From “Brave New World” Really Freer Than the World State Members?
• How Would Plato and Sophists View the World of “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley?
• What Is Huxley’s Vision of a Utilitarian Society in “Brave New World”?
• How Does the “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley Compare to the Real World?
• Why Does Mustapha Mond Insist That Science Must Be Constrained in the Same Way That Art and Religion Are in “Brave New World”?
• How Does the “Brave New World” Fit Into the Six Characteristics of Malark’s Theory of Characteristics?
• What Traits of Humanity Does John Savage Represent in the “Brave New World”?
• Is Huxley’s Society in “Brave New World” Able to Suppress Religious Impulses Completely?
• In What Ways Does Huxley Moralize Sexuality in the “Brave New World”?
• Do You Believe That Huxley’s Blindness Influenced the Way He Viewed Society in “Brave New World”?
• Why Does John Savage Kill Himself at the End of the “Brave New World”?
• Do You Believe That Mustapha Mond Is the Antagonist of the “Brave New World”?
• Is “Brave New World” a Utopia or a Dystopia?
• What Is the Main Message of “Brave New World”?
• Can Happiness Be Reached Through Drugs Like “Soma” From “Brave New World”?
• Ethical Implications of Genetic Engineering in Brave New World
• Brave New World vs. 1984: A Comparison of Dystopian Societies
• The Critique of Consumerism and Mass Production in Brave New World
• The Theme of Dehumanization of Art and Creativity in a Technologically Advanced Society
• Psychological Manipulation and Mind Control in Brave New World
• How Gender and Sexuality Are Represented in Huxley’s Brave New World
• Religion and Spirituality in a Technological Utopia
• How Control and Surveillance in the World State Create the Illusion of Freedom
• The Impact of Conditioning and Sleep-Learning on Characters’ Behavior
• Huxley’s Vision of the Future: Predictions That Came True
• The Historical Events That Inspired Brave New World
• The Role of Soma in Maintaining Social Stability in the World State
• Satire and Social Commentary in Brave New World
• Savage Reservation’s Contrast with the World State’s Society
• Brave New World and Utopia: The Paradox of Perfection
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, February 22). 111 Brave New World Essay Topic Ideas & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/brave-new-world-essay-examples/

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Bibliography

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Themes and Analysis

Brave new world, by aldous huxley.

'Brave New World' explores the perils of technological advancement, the consequences of sacrificing individuality for societal stability, and the ethical dilemmas of manipulating human nature.

Article written by Ebuka Igbokwe

Bachelor's degree from Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

Aldous Huxley’s ‘ Brave New World ‘ is a thematically rich work and the author delivers a profound social commentary with satirical wit and distinctive style. Huxley references a wide range of literary works and philosophical ideas, a touch that gives the work literary weight and sets it in a broader intellectual context.

The story of ‘ Brave New World ’ deals with certain themes such as consumerism, technological control of society, immediate gratification, and loss of personal identity.

Consumerism and Capitalism

While Aldous Huxley’s ‘ Brave New World ’ primarily critiques totalitarian control and the sacrifice of individuality, it also provides commentary on the role of capitalism and consumerism in shaping the society of the World State. It invites readers to consider how unchecked production and excessive consumption can influence a society’s values, norms, and priorities, sometimes at the expense of genuine human connections and personal development. So central is this theme that Ford, the father of the assembly line and mass manufacture, assumes the figure of a deity in the story.

In the World State, humans are treated as products to be mass-produced and mere cogs in the wheel of society. Citizens are conditioned from birth to value material possessions and instant gratification over healthy and rich interpersonal relationships and individual experiences. The caste system, the technology for developing human embryos, and the conditioning process for the citizens are eerily similar to the manufacturing of goods in a factory.

The World State deliberately fosters a culture of constant consumption and dispensability. Citizens are conditioned to replace and put aside items and people without hesitation and discouraged from being attached to anything. The rapid turnover of possessions and relationships reflects the concept of planned obsolescence inherent in capitalist economies , where goods are designed to have short lifespans to encourage continuous purchasing.

Technological Control Over Society

Aldous Huxley’s ‘ Brave New World ’ explores technocracy, a system of government where experts and technology are the driving forces behind social and political decisions. In this dystopian world, technocracy plays a central role in maintaining control and achieving social stability.

‘ Brave New World ’ shows the consequences of technocracy when taken to the extreme. While a technocracy can harness science and technology for the betterment of society, it can also lead to the objectification of its citizens.

In the World State, this system of government is evident in nearly every aspect of society. The government, composed of World Controllers like Mustapha Mond, is a technocratic elite that makes decisions based on scientific principles and advanced technology. Human life itself is highly controlled, with citizens created in hatcheries, conditioned for certain specific roles, and sorted into castes based on their preselected intelligence and potential functions.

Technocratic principles also guide the development of the ideas through which the society is stabilized. The World State utilizes reproductive technologies, genetic engineering, and behavioral conditioning to create a population that is docile, predictable, and content. The aim is to eliminate suffering, conflict, and dissatisfaction, and to create a clock-work, well-ordered society. Here, technical expertise is not merely an aid to governance but radically influences culture. The result is that every aspect of society is meticulously engineered and regulated as if the individual members were parts of a machine.

Immediate Gratification and Pleasure Seeking

Aldous Huxley’s ‘ Brave New World ’ presents a dystopian society where immediate gratification and pleasure-seeking are cardinal pursuits. The World State is a carefully constructed society that prioritizes shallow, hedonistic pleasures over deeper emotional connections and true intellectual and spiritual pursuits.

The drug “soma” is the primary instrument for immediate gratification in ‘ Brave New World ‘. It provides citizens with a quick and artificial sense of happiness, contentment, and emotional numbness. Whenever individuals in that society experience negative emotions, they are encouraged to consume soma, which promptly alleviates their discomfort.

The society of the World State is designed to stave off intense and prolonged desire through a culture of shallow pleasures and hedonism. Citizens are encouraged to frequently indulge in casual sex and recreational activities. There is a conspicuous absence of deeper, meaningful relationships, intellectually engaging activities, or character-building cultural experiences. For example, the Solidarity Service is a communal gathering that features group singing which ends in a sexual orgy.

By conditioning the citizens to avoid any form of suffering, they are prevented from experiencing the profound joys, sorrows, and personal growth that come from facing life’s challenges.

Loss of Humanity and Identity

The World State views individual agency as a potential threat to social stability. Its government fears that allowing people to make meaningful choices or experience genuine emotions and intellectual autonomy might lead to conflict, dissatisfaction, or nonconformity. Consequently, individual agency is curtailed in favor of a controlled, harmonious society.

Citizens of the World State lack the freedom to make significant life decisions, pursue deep emotional connections, or engage in intellectual exploration. In their society, happiness is a paramount objective. From birth, individuals are conditioned to accept their predetermined roles in society, conform to societal norms, and avoid discomfort or suffering. This conditioning fosters a conformist culture where citizens find happiness in their assigned roles and shallow pleasures, even if these dehumanize them.

Throughout ‘ Brave New World ,’ characters who exhibit any unsanctioned initiative or seek greater agency often face social disapproval and adverse consequences. Bernard Marx, for instance, questions the status quo and longs for more genuine human connections. His desire for agency leads to isolation and eventual exile.

John “the Savage” also embodies the tension between retaining a strong sense of self and succumbing to pressures to conform to the social mold. Raised outside the controlled society, he represents an admirable alternative answer to the question of what it means to be truly human. However, his rebellion comes at a cost. He tries to resist the dehumanizing influence of the society of World State, but he fails to fully resist its corruption, and he commits suicide.

Key Moments in Brave New World

• The novel begins with a tour of a group of boys through the Hatchery and Conditioning Centre, where human life is artificially created, conditioned, and categorized into castes, led by the DHC and Mustapha Mond.
• Lenina Crowne and a co-worker discuss Lenina’s four-month monogamous relationship with Henry Foster, a situation frowned upon by their society which promotes promiscuity.
• Bernard Marx is introduced. He is a psychologist who has romantic feelings for Lenina and is offended when she is sexually objectified by her former partner.
• Benard and Lenina have a date and he invites her to go on a vacation to the reservation.
• Bernard and Lenina’s visit to the Savage Reservation introduces them to a world where people live outside the controlled society. Here, they encounter John “the Savage,” and Linda his mother.
• John “the Savage” is revealed to be the son of the Director of Hatchery and Conditioning who left his pregnant mother on the Savage Reservation.
• Bernard contrives to bring John over to the World State. His appearance causes a stir and the DHC’s resignation.
• While he gains popularity, John finds it increasingly hard to fit into the society of World State. He makes friends with Helmholtz Watson.
• Lenina tries to seduce John, but John attacks her and calls her a whore. He desists from attacking her when he learns that his mother has died.
• In grief at his mother’s death, John stirs up a minor riot at the hospital and is detained by the police.
• Mustapha Mond summons John, Helmholtz and Benard. In this meeting, Helmholtz and Benard are exiled.
• Mustapha Mond explains the principles behind the society to John, Bernard, and Helmholtz. He provides insight into the government’s use of technology and conditioning to eliminate suffering and conflict.
• Following Mond’s refusal to send John into exile like Bernard and Helmholtz, John is forced to remain in London.
• John’s self-flagellation to cleanse himself from the corruption of the civilization he joins draws a crowd, and in the ensuing chaos, he participates in an orgy. Overcome with guilt, John commits suicide.

Tone and Style of Brave New World

Aldous Huxley’s writing style in ‘ Brave New World ’ is marked by several key characteristics. First and foremost, he frequently adopts a satirical tone, using humor and irony to criticize social norms and to explore the unbridled use of technological and scientific advancements in managing society.

Furthermore, ‘Brave New World ’ is replete with literary, historical, and cultural references, encouraging readers to engage with a broader intellectual context. The narrative is character-driven, emphasizing personal development and psychological exploration. Aldous Huxley excels in world-building, creating immersive and believable environments that contribute to the depth of his story.

Huxley features dialogues that serve as a vehicle for philosophical and moral discussions. He also makes extensive use of irony, both situational and verbal, to underscore the absurdity of societal norms and critique certain aspects of human behavior presented in the story.

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About Ebuka Igbokwe

Ebuka Igbokwe is the founder and former leader of a book club, the Liber Book Club, in 2016 and managed it for four years. Ebuka has also authored several children's books. He shares philosophical insights on his newsletter, Carefree Sketches and has published several short stories on a few literary blogs online.

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35 Brave New World Essay Topics

Table of Contents

Choosing the Right “Brave New World” Essay Topic

Selecting an intriguing essay topic on Aldous Huxley’s dystopian novel, “Brave New World,” can set the stage for your instructor’s first impression of your work. If the topic naturally piques your interest, writing becomes more effortless. Ideally, narrow down topics, as they tend to provide clearer direction. However, before you embark on writing, ensure you have an organized outline and adequate sources to support your essay.

Potential Essay Topics on “Brave New World”

• Character Discontentment: Explore why characters like Bernard and John are dissatisfied in society compared to others. Example .
• Realism of the Caste System: Analyze the book’s caste system – is it realistic or mere fiction?
• Sacrifices for Greater Good: Identify instances in the novel where citizens endure hardships for a more significant cause.
• Religion vs. Science: Using the plot of Brave New World , discuss the roles of religion and science in the novel’s society.
• John’s Uniqueness: Examine John’s differences from the rest of the nation’s people.
• Illusion of Contentment: Argue why such a government form would be detrimental, even if its citizens seem content.
• Perfection vs. Imperfection: Does the novel portray an ideal or flawed world?
• Dehumanization: Identify the techniques of dehumanization depicted in the story.
• Happiness vs. Reality: Delve into the question of whether a society can be genuinely happy and yet grounded in reality.
• Relevance Today: Discuss parallels between the book’s themes and today’s world. How has Huxley’s vision impacted our modern perspective?

Symbolism and Motifs in Beowulf

• The role of dragons in ancient literature and Beowulf.
• The significance of the mead hall and community bonding.
• Water’s symbolic role in Beowulf’s challenges and battles.
• The representation of light and darkness in the poem.
• The importance of armor and shields in the poem.

Historical and Cultural Context

• Beowulf’s relationship with historical Scandinavian events.
• How Beowulf reflects Anglo-Saxon values and beliefs.
• Paganism vs. Christianity in Beowulf.
• The societal structure and its influence on the narrative.
• The depiction of funeral rites and their significance.

Character Analyses

• Unferth’s role and contrast with Beowulf.
• The depiction of women: Wealhtheow and Grendel’s mother.
• King Hrothgar’s leadership vs. Beowulf’s heroism.
• The significance of Wiglaf and the idea of loyalty.
• Analyzing Aeschere’s importance to Hrothgar and the story.

Narrative Techniques and Literary Devices

• The role of the scop (bard) in Beowulf.
• The use of kennings and their impact on imagery.
• Alliteration and its rhythmic role in Beowulf.
• The function of epic similes in the poem.
• The influence of oral tradition on the narrative style.

Themes and Philosophies

• The concept of fate (wyrd) in Beowulf.
• The price of pride and its consequences.
• The exploration of mortality and legacy.
• The balance between courage and recklessness.
• Revenge as a driving force in Beowulf.

Comparative Analyses

• Beowulf and modern superheroes: parallels and contrasts.
• Comparing Beowulf to other epics like “The Iliad” or “Gilgamesh”.
• Beowulf and the Norse sagas: similarities and differences.
• The idea of the monstrous in Beowulf vs. other literature.
• Beowulf’s influence on Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings”.

Broader Perspectives

• Beowulf’s relevance in the 21st century.
• The challenges and merits of translating Beowulf.
• How adaptations (like movies or novels) have interpreted Beowulf.
• The depiction of heroism in Beowulf vs. modern culture.
• The ethics and values presented in Beowulf and their applicability today.

In-depth Explorations

• The importance of loyalty and kinship in the poem.
• The nature of evil: Analyzing Grendel and his lineage.
• The concept of legacy in Beowulf’s final act.
• The depiction of aging and its impact on heroism.
• The influence of external forces, like God or fate, on characters’ decisions.

Beowulf’s Battles

• A detailed look into Beowulf’s battle with the dragon.
• Strategy and might: The takedown of Grendel.
• Psychological warfare: Beowulf vs. Grendel’s mother.
• The consequences and aftermath of each of Beowulf’s battles.
• The role of supernatural vs. human strength in Beowulf’s combat scenes.

Engaging Ideas to Explore

• Elements of Personality: Explore the personality traits emphasized in the World State.
• Sexuality and Roles: Examine the portrayal and significance of sexuality in the world state.
• Societal Conflicts: Identify and discuss the main conflicts present within the novel’s society.
• Marriage and Relationships: Dive into how relationships, especially marriage, are perceived and executed in this dystopian setting.
• Drugs and Contentment: Discuss the use of drugs in the society and their impact on achieving personal contentment.

Further Assistance

There’s a plethora of essay topics centered around “Brave New World.” If you struggle to pinpoint the perfect topic or formulating your essay, consider reaching out to professional platforms like writeondeadline.com for expert guidance.

For more in-depth analyses and essay samples, check out our ‘do my essay online’ service. With our expertise, you can ensure your essay stands out and meets your deadline.

Brave New World Aldous Huxley

Brave New World essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Brave New World by Aldous Huxley.

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Brave New World Essays

Methods of control in 1984 and brave new world anonymous, brave new world.

The difference between the methods of control in 1984 and BRAVE NEW WORLD is the difference between external control by force and internal control, enforced only by the citizen's own mind. While 1984's method has real-world precedent and seems...

Cloning in Brave New World Christopher M. Earhart

It has been said that Muhammad is the "Seal of the Prophets," meaning that he was the last. However, our world has recently been graced by another prophet in Aldous Huxley. Huxley's prophetic vision is unmistakable in his science-fiction novel,...

God's Role in a Misery-Free Society Zachary Zill

Aldous Huxley's Brave New World portrays a world in which pain and suffering have been all but eliminated, where pleasure is perpetual, and where society is immersed in stability. In a world such as this, the novel argues, there is no need for God...

Character Analysis: Brave New World Michael Wainwright

Brave New World, by acclaimed author Aldous Huxley, is not so much a novel about individuals as it is about a society as a whole. It is a story of a dystopia, of a cold scientific world order and the people who inhabit it. Against this harsh...

Personal Influences Behind Aldous Huxley's Brave New World Michael Wainwright

Although the stark imagery of Aldous Huxleyâs classic Brave New World may seem difficult to match with reality, it is not surprising that the inspirations for this dark, bitter work were bred in the authorâs own life and times. Born on July 26,...

An Analysis of Aldous Huxley's Brave New World Anonymous

In the science fiction novel Brave New World, Aldous Huxley shows a "revolution of revolutions" resulting from technological advances. He does so by portraying a future BNW society that is supposedly perfect in every way. Everyone is happy....

Mechanical Utopia Angela Viti Beckon

In Aldous Huxley's novel Brave New World , he creates a utopian society that achieves happiness at the expense of humanity. Though thoroughly repugnant to the reader, the world Huxley creates seems almost plausible because he fashions it out of...

Dystopia and Assimilation Anonymous

In the year 632AF (the year 2540AD, 632 years after Ford) the world has finally eliminated many inconveniences including war, famine, dissent, disease, depression and jealousy. This conquest, however, came at a cost: cultural assimilation,...

“Look on my works ye mighty and despair!” [Shelley]: A Comparison of Three Dystopian Novels. Anonymous

“Brave New World”, “The Day of the Triffids” and “Watchmen” all use their dystopian worlds to engage in moral discussion, critically assessing the morals that the world deems to be ‘correct’. In the face of destruction, the characters in the...

An Immunity to Intellectual Thought in Brave New World Sushane Gupta 12th Grade

The equation of “civilization is sterilization” is central to the theme of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World. To the “sterilized” mind, this idea would simply mean that cleanliness is the hallmark of a civilized population; it is exactly what...

Influences Behind Brave New World and Fahrenheit 451 Michael Wainwright

To many modern readers, the science-fiction genre is a genre built upon utopic visions of peace and intellectual advancement, of idealistic worlds where logic always triumphs over primal instinct. Although the hopeful scientific novel is not...

Concluding Ambiguity in Brave New World Caitlin V Johnson 12th Grade

In his novel Brave New World, Aldous Huxley uses acute detail and comprehensive explanation to convey theme and symbolism. His use of explicit interpretation provides readers with a forthright account of emotion, thought, and opinion of not just...

Warnings Against Social Castes and Contentment in Brave New World Anonymous College

Every author has a purpose behind every piece they write; some sort of message or deeper meaning behind their work. Aldous Huxley’s purpose in writing Brave New World was most definitely a warning towards the possibilities of the future. The...

The New Power: "Brave New World" and the Status of Mustapha Mond Anonymous 12th Grade

In Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, World Controller Mustapha Mond has to reconcile imposing the suppressive values of the world state with his powerful knowledge from a past world. This very knowledge is what keeps him in control of the world of...

Consumerism Consuming Society Anonymous College

“Money doesn’t buy happiness.” Throughout history, this concept has been heard time and time again and has been proven to be true. People can continuously purchase material items, but in the end, those items can never satisfy a person’s innate...

Aldous Huxley’s Shakespearian Dystopia Riya Maniar 12th Grade

Shakespeare’s works revel as masterpieces centuries after their debut, influencing generations of writers including 20th century author Aldous Huxley. Huxley’s 1932 novel, Brave New World , stands as a distinct reincarnation of Shakespeare’s The...

The Feminist Lens: Sexism in Dystopian Literature Anonymous 12th Grade

“O, brave new world!” John joyfully proclaims after being told he will have the chance to live in the World State with Bernard and Lenina (Huxley 93). Upon first reading dystopian literature, one might feel much like John, assuming a more...

The Issues With Human Progress in Utopian and Dystopian Fiction Anonymous College

Krishan Kumar claims that HG Wells “never wrote a proper utopia, in the strict sense”. This may seem a paradoxical statement in regards to the author famed for being the leading apostle of science utopias, and lends itself to the question: “what ...

Is "Brave New World" Really Brave? Selma Kondoker 10th Grade

“Community, identity, and stability” was the main motto of the World State, the revolving society in Aldous Huxley’s novel Brave New World. Published in 1932, Brave New World depicts a society that is perceived as ‘utopian’, with changes and...

Representation of Power and Ethics Brianna Rimmer 12th Grade

Composers undermine institutions of power to show the unethical values of government with strict systematic control while also conveying how this influences the behaviors of society through creating a lack of individualism. Aldous Huxley’s novel ‘...

Contrast John to Bernard Martha Maria Cruz 10th Grade

In Brave New World, the dystopian world is made up of levels of humans who, from the making, are told what to think and how to act. Literally. Bernard, an Alpha male who doesn’t fit into the society, is unhappy with his life. John, a “savage” who...

The Hidden Impropriety of Confined Society Anonymous 10th Grade

Two opposite societies, one of luxury with severe conditioning and conformity, and another of liberty with savagery and sacrifice, coexist in a modern era. In the dystopian novel, Brave New World , author Aldous Huxley juxtaposes these two...

The Apparatus of Brave New World: Jungian Literary Criticism Nathaniel Eastham 12th Grade

What makes up a positive and functional mindset? How should an individual behave, think, talk, or feel? Even more, what should they believe? The novel Brave New World bombards us with these unavoidable questions as we delve deeper into its...

Manipulation in textual representations of people and politics Leyla Meharg 12th Grade

Composers draw on their political and social milieu in the representations of people and politics which align with their contextual purpose and hence, such representations are inherently manipulated to serve a particular agenda. Such is...

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Brave New World Themes

May 20, 2024

Given its reputation, you’ve likely heard of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World – even if you haven’t read it. ( Here’s a helpful summary if you’re interested. ) Published in 1932, Huxley’s dystopian (utopian?) novel presents a technologically advanced society organized into a rigid biological caste system. The book’s critique of media, drugs, and authority are more important than ever. This article will walk you through some of the themes of Brave New World and show how relevant Huxley’s vision is to our society today.  All my quotes are from the Gutenberg Project’s searchable Brave New World .  

Interested in an analysis of Brave New World quotes? Check out our blog on The Most Important Lines Explained .

Brave New World Themes – Science & Technology 

Brave New World (1932) depicts a technologically advanced “utopia” (and, at the same time, a dystopia) where personal helicopters are common, multisensory pornography is widespread, and rocket planes take you non-stop from London to New Orleans in six hours. (Remember that transatlantic passenger travel wouldn’t be a reality for at least a decade after Brave New World was published.) At first glance, technology seems a benign force in the New World State – however, as we’ll see, technology always serves the economic status quo rather than progress. 

Reproductive Technology

Most of the World State’s technological advancements are focused on embryonic manipulation and social conditioning of children. Through the manipulation of embryos and the conditioning of children, the World State produces precisely the correct amount of Alphas, Betas, Gammas, Deltas, and Epsilons to keep their economy humming along. (It’s no accident that the text begins in the Central London Hatchery and Conditioning Centre.) Each embryo is altered and conditioned according to the economic needs of society – Alphas for intelligence and leadership, Betas for high-level secretarial and scientific work (e.g., working in the hatchery), Gammas, Deltas, and Epsilons for varying types of manual labor.

Central to the World State’s reproductive technology is the Bokanofsky process, by which a single embryo is split into large groups of Gamma, Delta, or Epsilon twins. In the words of Mustapha Mond (World Controller of Western Europe), these workers are “the gyroscope that stabilizes the rocket plane of state on its unswerving course.” 

Hypnopaedia 

Hypnopaedia is the subliminal “sleep-learning” by which the World State forms the morality of their citizens. (Examples include “A gramme [of soma] is always better than a damn;” “Everybody’s happy nowadays;” “Everyone works for every one else;” “When the individual feels, the community reels”.) Children listen to thousands upon thousands of these banal maxims in early childhood. These slogans function as ideological balm in moments of stress or conflict. 

Lenina Crowne is a veritable firehose of hypnopaedic “wisdom.” For example, as she and Bernard are coming back from their first date, Bernard hovers his helicopter a hundred or so feet above the waves and declares that the sea makes him feel more like an individual. To this heresy, Leninia attempts to assert her hypnopaedic training (“…every one works for every one else…”), but Bernard cuts her off. This moment illustrates the real function of hypnopaedic learning.

Bernard’s insistence on his own individuality represents a societally destabilizing force – a force which Lenina attempts to counter with hypnopaedic pablum. We can see that hypnopaedic learning buttresses the status quo in moments of conflict or doubt. Individuals don’t ever have to think – they can just fall back on a bit of hypnopaedic wisdom. This aligns with an earlier quote from the director of the hatchery. He refers to, “Moral education, which ought never, in any circumstances, to be rational.”

Brave New World Themes (Continued)

Limits to science and technology.

While this new world seems to be supportive of science and technological innovation, the fact is that the New World State only supports those discoveries that support and maintain the status quo. For example, in chapter 12, we see Mustapha Mond reading a new scientific article titled, “A New Theory of Biology.” While he acknowledges that the article is “a masterly piece of work,” he bans its publication, as it “might easily de-condition the more unsettled minds among the higher castes.” What’s more, he orders the author to be put under supervision, and wonders to himself whether the author might have to be forcibly exiled. 

Mond is even more explicit later in the book. When John, Bernard, and Helmholtz have been arrested and brought to the office of the World Controller, Mond admits the purpose of science isn’t progress but rather stability. He says, “Every change is a menace to stability” – as a result, “we have to keep it [science] most carefully chained and muzzled.” It turns out that before Mustapha Mond was a World Controller, he was a brash young scientist who dared to push the bounds of acceptable thought. When accused of heresy, Mond was given the choice between exile or a seat on the Controller’s Council – he chose the latter. 

Brave New World Themes – History / Time

The eternal present of the new world state.

In the first chapter of Brave New World , Mustapha Mond makes a puzzling statement about history. Recall that Mond shows up while The Director of the Central London Hatchery and Conditioning Center is giving a tour to future workers. Delivering an ad hoc lecture, Mond declares that “History is bunk.” Considering the history that he relays – chemical warfare, viviparous births, poverty and squalor – Mond’s assertion is understandable. Compared to the pacified happiness of the New World State, the violence of the past could certainly be considered “bunk.” 

At the same time, this relationship to history says something more basic about this society’s relationship to time. In order to maintain societal stability, a sort of eternal present is insisted upon. Consider one of the bits of hypnopaedic “wisdom” that Lenina Crowne recites. She and Bernard are on their way to the reservation when Bernard receives news that the Director of the Hatchery is cross with him. Confronted with Bernard’s worry, Lenina declares, ‘Was and will make me ill…I take a gramme [of soma] and only am.” In the end, Lenina convinces Bernard to take some soma, at which point, “roots and fruits were abolished; the flower of the present rosily blossomed.” (In some ways, the eternal present of Brave New World is similar to that of Orwell’s 1984 – I’ve written about it here .)

“Savage” Time

John’s understanding of time is quite different. Unlike Lenina, Bernard, and the rest of the citizens of the New World State, John’s childhood wasn’t filled with thousands of hypnopaedic axioms glorifying the present. We can see John’s relation to time in one of the stories he tells when Bernard visits the reservation. John tells Bernard about his attempt to participate in the coming-of-age ceremony of his tribe. The men refuse to let him participate and throw rocks at him. Alone on the mesa, blood drips from his wrist. We read, “Drop, drop, drop. To-morrow and to-morrow and to-morrow…” It is at this moment that John discovers “Time and Death and God.”

We can see here how John’s understanding of time differs from that of the citizens of the New World State. (Even the coming-of-age ceremony differentiates time in a way that would be completely foreign to Bernard and Lenina.) In this moment, John’s body – site of exclusionary violence – becomes a kind of clock whereby John understands the slow temporality of exclusion as well as the eventuality of his own death. These two terms – exclusion and death – mean almost nothing to the citizens of the World State. How can they, when “every one belongs to every one else” and “the social body persists although the component cells may change”?

Brave New World Themes – God

We discussed John’s discovery of “Time and Death” in the aftermath of his rejection from the coming-of-age ceremony, but we haven’t yet discussed his discovery of God. It’s understandable why time and death go hand-in-hand with God. In the moment that Jon feels most alone – rejected by the only community he’s ever known, aware of his eventual death – it’s natural that he becomes open to something other than himself. Whether inspired by the sublime beauty of the natural world or the eternity of his eventual death, John feels the presence of something beyond himself. 

This aligns with John’s later conversation with Mustapha Mond on the nature of the divine. Mond quotes Cardinal Newman ’s explanation for the naturalness of faith. Newman argues that as the bodily passions wane, people naturally search for something stable, “something that abides, something that will never play us false.” John asks if Mond thinks there is a God and Mond says that he believes there likely is. Seeing his confusion, Mond adds that in a society in which the bodily passions never wane – sex, sports, and soma – citizens of the New World State have no use for Newman’s God. 

Brave New World Themes – Revolution

Brave New World is decidedly ambivalent as to the possibility of revolution. On the surface, the New Word State seems extremely stable. The existence of so many Gammas, Delta’s and Epsilons would seem to provide structural inertia that is hard to overcome. Recall that John’s efforts to foment revolution by throwing away boxes of soma fails laughably. As Mond points out, the lower caste workers have no more interest in revolution than they do in Shakespeare. 

By the end, we see why – anyone who dares think for themselves is sent to one of the world’s many islands. In other words, while the government of the New World State seems like it eschews violence, there is the ever-present threat of exile. At the same time, the fact that people are allowed exile (instead of being vaporized a la Big Brother), creates reservoirs of potential revolutionary ideas.   

Wrapping Up – Brave New World Themes

With its presentation of a soma-soaked “utopia,” Huxley’s Brave New World is as relevant today as it was when it was published. Its trenchant critique of consumerism and superficial pleasures is a prescient commentary on our social media-obsessed society. Additionally, like 1984 , Brave New World is a depressing read. Given John’s suicide and Bernard’s exile, I don’t think we can call it an uplifting book. At the same time, the fact that the New World State can’t quite manage to stamp out individual desire with their scientific machinations suggests that meaningful revolution remains possible. If you’d like to read more of my posts on literature, I’ve also written on Hamlet , The Great Gatsby , and 1984 .

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Devon Wootten

Devon holds a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing & International Relations, an MFA in Poetry, and a PhD in Comparative Literature. For nearly a decade, he served as an assistant professor in the First-Year Seminar Program at Whitman College. Devon is a former Fulbright Scholar as well as a Writing & Composition Instructor of Record at the University of Iowa and Poetry Instructor of Record at the University of Montana. Most recently, Devon’s work has been published in Fugue , Bennington Review , and TYPO , among others. 

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