Discovering Utopia
We live in a world with hurt and discontent and everyone, in their own way, wishes for a “perfect world.” The novel Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley, offers a perfect example of
this. Although this utopian world uses questionable methods and may be altogether unattainable, considering how everyone has everything, the absence of suffering, and the unanimous sense of happiness, the World State society of Brave New World is ideal.
Firstly, each and every citizen in the World State has everything they need, as opposed to our world. There is a perpetually stable and strong economy, in which everyone has a role. For instance, everyone’s function in this is valued, as shown in the hypnopaedic quote, “Everyone works for everyone else. We can’t do without anyone. Even Epsilons are useful.” (Huxley, 64).
Furthermore, everyone is employed, with a stable job to which they are well suited and can never lose (unless exiled), as they have been conditioned for it. For example, embryos designated to be rocket-plane engineers in their lives are turned upside down while they are developing, which ensures that they will be competent at their job. There are also enough resources available for everyone, as they are controlled, produced and distributed so as to guarantee this. Thanks to the perfect state of the economy and the satisfaction of its workers, unemployment, homelessness, poverty and hunger are not issues that the citizens of the World State must face. Evidently, nothing is lacking for the people in this society, which contributes to the concept of an ideal world. Moreover, the citizens of the World State are exempted from any forms of suffering and strife. People are no longer affected by physical sufferings because diseases are almost nonexistent. Also, conditioned as children to accept death, they no longer live in fear of dying…“as though death were something terrible” (181). This allows them to live more joyfully.
Another great argument is that because society is stable and everyone is satisfied, there are no wars or causes for rebellion. The lack of close relationships, as well as families, eliminates any possible emotional suffering… “as though anyone mattered as much as all that!” (181). Clearly, the society of Brave New World and the lack of suffering of the citizens is an important factor contributing to the utopian ideal.
Finally, the citizens of the World State are shown to be almost completely happy, which is necessary to the idea of a perfect world. People are conditioned, even before birth, to be content with their role in society, their job, their social standing, their lifestyle, and so on.