Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World – Final Discussion Questions
Chapter 16 – At What Cost Stability? Liberty, Beauty, and Truth
Why does Mond say old and beautiful things are forbidden (219)? Why has high art been sacrificed for stability?
What ideal picture of his world does Mond describe (220)? Is it a valid argument against liberty or freedom of expression?
What does art mean that the feelies do not? What is the purpose of the latter (220-221)? How does Mond explain the caste system (222)? Do you agree?
What is the problem with an entire society of Alphas (223)? What is the problem with excessive leisure time (224)?
Why must science be constrained (225)? Progress? Do you agree?
What does Mond say is the role of Happiness and Stability? How are they opposed to Truth and Beauty (227-228)?
Chapter 17 – Religion vs. Civilization
What is the significance of their discussion of religion? What does John argue religion can give to civilization? Why does Mond argue that it is unnecessary and potentially dangerous (230, 234-235)?
What role does solitude play in spirituality(235)?
How does John argue that the civilized man has been degraded? From what and to what (236-7)?
What role does Mond say soma plays in this? What is an “opiate of the masses” (237-8)?
What does it mean “to suffer the sling and arrows of outrageous fortune” or oppose them (238-9)? What does John mean by saying that nothing in civilization costs enough (239)
General Questions
1. How do you know who you are?
2. Is this a utopia or a dystopia?
3. What is so special about Ford or Freud?
4. At what price happiness?
5. What should be the goal of any society?
6. Who has power here?
7. How is stability maintained?
8. What role does the individual play in this society? How is that individual defined?
9. Who is the stability good for?
10. From whose point of view are we seeing this society?
11. What point of view does John represent?
