Brave New World 585ensures everybody’s happiness. The idea of “fami-
lies” has been abandoned; instead, human beings are
produced like cars on an assembly line. From the
moment of fertilization on, each citizen has a pre-
determined fate and abilities according to the caste
to which it will belong. Through its rigorous caste
system, the World State prevents dissatisfaction in
its citizens and guarantees stability.
Nonetheless, such a state also needs leaders.
These are members of the Alpha-Plus caste, the
only caste whose members are supposed to be able to
think freely and experience themselves as individu-
als, although they cannot give in to their abilities for
stability’s sake. This circumstance creates a dilemma
that traps Bernard Marx and Helmholtz Watson
alike. During a visit to a Savage reservation with
Lenina Crowne, Marx meets John Savage, illegiti-
mate son of a World State Beta and the Director of
Hatcheries. Having been an outcast on the reserva-
tion all his life, John is eager to see the World State.
Having fallen in love with Lenina, John goes with
them when they return to London. However, the
principles of the World State and the way in which
they are enforced disgust him. After his mother
Linda’s death, he tries to stir hospital workers into
rebellion by throwing their Soma-rations out of
the window. This action leads to the banishment of
Watson and Marx.
John, on the other hand, is told to stay and finds
refuge in a remote lighthouse. When journalists
observe John whipping himself—he tries to cleanse
himself of the World State—the ensuing stream
of tourists drives John into a frenzy. When Lenina
appears at the lighthouse, he is so outside of himself
that he attacks and beats her. Ashamed and guilt-
ridden, he hangs himself that night.
Elke Brown
commercialiSm in Brave New World
Instant gratification is a buzzword that characterizes
our modern society. However, it also best describes
the attitude of the citizens of the Brave New World
and their government toward commercialism.
In the World State, citizens are being condi-
tioned to enjoy only things and activities that need
to be purchased. When the Director of Hatcheries
shows a group of students how conditioning works,
he shows them a group of toddlers who—through
electroshocks and sirens—are taught to hate flowers
and books. The purpose of this lesson, he explains,
is that children will not grow up to spend time
reading (an unsocial behavior) or to love nature for
nature’s sake. Instead, they shall love nature for the
opportunities of leisure activities it offers that make
them actually consume something. Outdoor sports,
for example, such as Obstacle Golf and Tennis, are
highly approved of. In fact, each caste has its own
facilities that allow its members to participate in
these activities. Naturally, according to the philoso-
phy of the World State, those facilities are severely
segregated from each other, but, the focus on con-
sumption, in a way, blurs class boundaries in that
respect.
In compliance with the World State’s motto
“Community, Identity, Stability,” commercialism
provides yet another means to ensure stability in the
Brave New World. In their free time, citizens of the
Brave New World engage in some social activity,
be it sports, dancing, the feelies, or their Solidarity
meetings. In case they do not feel up to any of these
activities, they take Soma, to again be able to act in
accordance with the World State’s prescribed uni-
versal happiness. However, no matter what activity
they choose, it will force them to consume some-
thing and spend money. This behavior ensures not
only a stable and thriving economy, but also provides
the World State’s citizens with numerous distrac-
tions that keep them from actually thinking—a
dangerous activity, as the examples of Bernard Marx
and Helmholtz Watson illustrate.
Both men are aware of their individuality and
experience difficulties with the demanded obedi-
ence to the World State’s dogmas until they both
are exiled from the Brave New World. While
Watson rejects commercialism, Marx succumbs
to it after gaining a certain amount of popularity
when he brings John Savage from the reservation
into the Brave New World. When Marx takes
Lenina Crowne out on their first date, he gets lost
in contemplating the night sky above the English
Channel. Lenina, on the other hand, is unable to
appreciate the view. It does not mean anything to
her because it is free—it cannot be purchased, worn,
or consumed in any other way. To appreciate nature