Brave New World: Social Class

Brave New World

Epsilon (Black)

-black, ugly and monkey-like creatures that are commonly handicapped

Delta (khaki)

-very short, frequently semi-handicapped people

-lower labourers, manual work in factories, servants

Gamma (Green)

-they are relatively short, narrow-shouldered, and lanky

-normal work: housekeepers attendants, workers, porters

Beta (Mulberry)

-everything is a bit less developed compared to Alphas, but still they are quite well-built

- Work important positions, demanding

The GREAT ALPHA

Alpha (grey)

-Described as being powerfully built, deep chested, broad-shouldered, massive, quick in movements, springy agile with beautifully shaped heads(p. 59, l. 22-25)

-relatively intellectual work, important positions

Examples

• DHC
• Bernard
• Mustapha Mond
• Mr. Fearnside

- complete opposite

- Huxley takes apart aspects of society and groups them to two extremes

So What?

- what is Huxley trying to get at?

- we need a balanced society, with aspects from both “worlds”

further Points

New Mexico vs. England

- 1931-1933  New Mexico was modernized extensively

- England = already modernized prior to New Mexico’s modernization

- what is Huxley trying to get at?

- John and Linda represent New Mexico

- Bernard and Lenina represent England

- during these times New Mexico was modernizing to achieve a society that was similar to England

- John and Linda dream of having the life of the people in London as well

- p 110 – John states: “The happiest times were when she told him about the Other Place.”

- their desire to have a lifestyle with the “other place” represents New Mexico's desire to live like London

Effects of World War II

• Living through WWI & WWII Huxley would have seen war propaganda influences people to join the army.
• This may have influenced his idea of conditioning in the novel.
• The propaganda by the government to get people to join the war is conditioning the mindset of people.

SAtIRE

• In the Brave New World, their society strives to have Community, Identity, Stability
• Ironically Huxley, shows that this society has none of which it strives for
• They simply have an illusion of happiness

SOMA

The Good Life

Ispired by love

Guided by Knowledge

Delight in Contemplation

Ethical Knowledge

Purebenevalence

Scientific Knowledge

Fear of Disapproval

Inanimate Objects

Love of People

For Approval

For An End

Huxley takes the 3 main social classes from the time period which the novel was written and uses it to display his castes.

Social Structure:

What does it consist of?

-Economic system, legal system, cultural system, political system

-Family, law, economy, religion, and class are social structures

Social Classes – economic or cultural arrangements of groups in society

Divided into 3 classes:

Upper – Alpha, Beta

Middle – Gamma, Delta

Lower – Epsilon

• Soma helps to create false "Good Life"

CENTRAL LONDON HATCHERY AND CONDITIONING CENTER

- predestination

- scientific means of birth

- humans=creator

- escape using soma

- set characteristics/multiples of people

- more physical relationships

- more “ignorant”

- created certain ways on purpose

RESERVATION

- fate

- natural means of birth

- god=creator

- no escape (face problems)

- variation among people’s characteristics

- more intimate relationships

- more “aware”

- savage people

Actually make that ALPHA PLUS