Physiological manipulation in novel Essay

Aldous Huxley is a visionary in every sense of the word, as he paints a vivid send off of the future that is second to none. His imagination is almost prophetic as he boldly presents his idea of futuristic community and the direction of mankind. Huxleys imaginary society in the heroic reinvigorated World controls citizens through physiological manipulation during birth, psychological conditioning while growing up and a hallucinogenic dose called Soma to provide instant gratification (Huxley 15).Although these techniques ar said to eradicate class discrimination, religion and unhappiness, it paves the way for a lackluster, grey foundation deprived of some(prenominal) real life and creative ideas. Huxleys visions of applied science of the future such as genetic engineering, mind-altering drugs and bio-technological advances be quite startling. In spite of having classic science-fiction traits, there is a Shakespearean character as well as weak-minded and strong-spirited val et de chambre characters in the confine that one can relate to.The Brave New World is a book with several subtle layers that is entertaining and enlightening at the same time. Although the subject matter of the book is quite dense, it is presented in sarcastic fashion. Huxleys Ford analogy apologises how technology is in any case an illusion to exercise control, which has been put in place to replace previous control mechanisms such as religion. Huxleys political commentary describing an anti-utopian society controlled by a totalistic organization is relevant, even in todays context.Although the centralized world government claims technology to be advancing, it merely improves upon existing technologies and fails to make any new breakthroughs in science, thereby keeping people ignorant. The manipulative government also restricts raising and promotes polygamous physical relationship, thereby killing meaningful family values and moral gratification. One of the most intriguing is sues raised by Huxleys exit is the trustworthy meaning of happiness. It makes one reexamine life and realize that happiness is not merely avoidance of pain, conforming to societal norms and amassing wealth.Huxley, through the depiction of the totalitarian government, tries to explain the evils of people losing power and one body exercising absolute control over the masses. Although the book is over seventy-five years old, it is still very relevant in our contemporary political scenario. Huxleys work also seeks out to enlighten the world about the importance of individuality and freedom of thought. It ultimately makes a statement that blind conformity backed up by fear will only lead to complete surrender of the human mind and soul.On careful analysis, one would come to realize that the fictional society portrayed in Brave New World is not merely a work of Huxleys fantasy, but actually an extrapolation of our degrading societal values such as greed, meaningless relationships and hy per- consumerism. Mary Shelleys Frankenstein tells us about the consequences of technology over-stepping the records boundaries. It shares recurring themes with Brave New World such as scientists creating life by going against the laws of nature. In both the books, the characters try to use technology to better mankind, but eventually end up making things worse.Both the authors feel that unchecked growth of technology could lead to dire consequences. In the book On the Genealogy of Morals, Nietzsche reveals the moral crisis that industrialization had brought to the lives of people. Though he believes that human life would be better without religion, he feels human beings need a moral frame of reference to be disciplined. Nietzsche and Huxley share a common view on religion keeping down humans from realizing their true potential. Again, nihilism of established standards and belief systems to enhance human life are common in both the authors works.Fyodor Dostoevsky in The Grand Inqu isitor portrays the return of Jesus saviour and his arrest by the Spanish Inquisition. God is blamed for bestowing freedom upon human beings and thereby making them suffer (Dostoevsky 249). The Church starts to work with the devil to end human suffering, wherein only a few posses freedom while the rest live and die blissfully in ignorance. This theme in Dostoevskys parable parallels the Brave New Worlds totalitarian government ruling over the ignorant people of the world who are free from pain.I believe our world is moving towards Huxleys prediction of universal singularity. We are witnessing our freedoms being taken away right under noses by the government, under the pretense of security and progress. We are seeing the decline of families and a blind urge for physical gratification running rampant driven by mindless television entertainment. We are also observing alarmingly higher levels of consumption as well as production, while original thought is gradually deteriorating. Techn ology is growing exponentially and fit more and more pervasive by the day.However, in spite of all this, people do not seem to be enjoying true happiness and are turning towards anti-depressants to relieve stress, thereby reiterating Huxleys vision again. Works Cited Page Dostoevsky, Fyodor. The Grand Inquisitor. The Brothers Karamazov. New York Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2000. 246-264. Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World. Harper & Row Publishers, 1969. Nietzsche, Friedrich. On the Genealogy of Morals. New York Oxford University Press, 1999. Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. New York Pocket Books, 2004.