discussion questions - BRAVE NEW WORLD BY ALDOUS HUXLEY

  • 1. What is the meaning of the World State’s motto “COMMUNITY, IDENTITY, STABILITY?”

    2. Why is the Bokanovsky process used? How is it an instrument “of social stability?”

    3. The two greatest obscenities in the society of Brave New World are birth and mother. Why?

    4. Sexual norms and assumptions are turned on their head in the novel: monogamy is bad, passion is deviation, casual, meaningless sex is the socially approved norm. What is Huxley getting at here? Is there any expression of human sexuality that he finds acceptable? Is sex at the heart of the "problem" in his view of human nature?

    5. How do you feel about the use of the drug soma in the novel? Would you take soma if it were available?

    6. Why is the society in "Brave New World" considered dystopian rather than utopian? Do you agree? Would you want to live in the World State? Why or Why not?

    7. Does Huxley want the reader to see the Reservation as some sort of utopian contrast to the society of BNW? In what ways is life on the reservation more authentically human? Is John (“Mr. Savage”) a model of how one should live?

    8. Why is the invention of the Ford Model T so significant? Describe the use of “Oh my Ford” and its significance to religion, society, etc.

  • 9. Who do you think is the actual main character of the book?

    10. Do you find the characters likable? Are the characters people you would want to meet?

    11. Why is Bernard the way he is? What does he really want?

    12. Why is Helmholtz the way he is? What does he want? How is he different from Bernard?

    13. Compare/contrast Bernard with John (the Savage).

    14. What is the role of women in the text? How are mothers represented? What about single/independent women? Do you think "Brave New World" exhibits feminist ideas?

  • 15. What is the central or primary purpose of the story? Is the purpose important or meaningful?

    16. Is "Brave New World" believable? Do you think its main events could really take place?

    17. Talk about Huxley's use of narrator. Does the fact that Huxley's vision was impaired for part of his life have any bearing on the way he narrates the story and sets the scenes?