Brave New World Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Who is the DHC?

The Director of Hatcheries and Conditioning

What is Bokanovsky's Process?

Bokanovsky's Process is shocking an egg so that it divides to form up to ninety-six identical embryos, which then develop into ninety-six identical human beings.

Explain why Bokanovsky's Process is one of the major instruments of social stability?

The controllers can always make sure they have enough gammas, deltas and epsilons available to do the work that has to be done at each caste level of society.

What is the point of conditioning?

To produce a society where people are happy with what they've got and dislike what people in other classes have. Signup and view all the answers

Why are the babies being conditioned to hate books and flowers?

Lower castes don't need to educate themselves through books. They used to condition them to love flowers and it did not work. Signup and view all the answers

How is the conditioning reinforced?

They are conditioned to dislike books by turning on deafening sirens and alarms. They are conditioned to dislike flowers by shocking them. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the deity in this world?

Ford. Signup and view all the answers

Why is 'mother' such an obscene word?

Because nobody knows what a mother is in this society, nobody has one. Mothers create too much sentiment. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Lenina want to go out with Bernard?

She says he is sweet and an Alpha plus. He's also different and she likes that. Signup and view all the answers

What is soma?

A hallucinant drug that everyone in the society takes to take a mental holiday. Signup and view all the answers

How are Bernard and Helmholtz alike?

Both are Alphas and different. They both feel isolated and alone. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Solidarity Service?

The society becomes one by gathering in a temple-like setting. They all get in a circle, take soma and have an orgy. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Bernard unable to feel the oneness during the Solidarity Service?

He doesn't believe in the ceremony and is distracted by Morgana's unibrow. Signup and view all the answers

How does Bernard want to spend his dates with Lenina?

He wants to take her on a walk out in nature and wants to be alone with her and get to know her. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the Director threaten to send Bernard to Iceland?

His behavior is non-conforming, he hasn't been acting as he should. Signup and view all the answers

How are Linda and John different from the other savages?

Linda is from the World State, they are considered strangers on the reservation. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Lenina disgusted by Linda?

She is gross-looking, stinks, dirty, nasty teeth, fat, wrinkly, bad breath, etc. Signup and view all the answers

Why do the women whip Linda?

She was sleeping with 'their men,' doing what she is conditioned to do. Signup and view all the answers

What things does Mitsima teach John?

To make pottery and work with clay. Signup and view all the answers

What book does Pope bring for John?

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. Signup and view all the answers

Why do Bernard and John both feel alone?

They're both different, they both aren't accepted by society and both are neglected. Signup and view all the answers

To whom does John liken Lenina?

He compares her to an angel. Signup and view all the answers

How does Bernard humiliate the Director?

He brings Linda and John back to the World State, they reveal that the Director is John's father and everyone laughs. Signup and view all the answers

Why is everyone interested in John but not Linda?

Her physical appearance is not good. She's a mother and she's not considered a real savage. Signup and view all the answers

How does Linda spend her time when she gets back to the World State?

She stays on soma 24/7. Signup and view all the answers

Why does John throw up?

He is disgusted by Bokanovsky's Process. Signup and view all the answers

What other 'civilized' customs disgust John?

Using soma, not being allowed to be alone, death conditioning, hypnopaedia. Signup and view all the answers

Why does John refuse to come to the party?

He is tired of being used by Bernard and tired of being put on display. Signup and view all the answers

How does John's refusal affect Bernard?

He's humiliated and loses all self-confidence. Signup and view all the answers

How does Bernard react to his downfall?

He weeps and takes soma to cover the pain. Signup and view all the answers

Why are children given treats when they visit the hospital for dying?

They are conditioned to associate pleasant things with death. Signup and view all the answers

Why is John's reaction to his mother's death inappropriate?

He is showing concern for an individual, his mother, in a society where the individual is insignificant. Signup and view all the answers

Why does John attempt to stop the soma distribution?

He sees it as a drug that enslaves people and is harmful to them. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to Bernard and Helmholtz?

They are both banished to islands to live with the people of high caste who could not fit into society. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the controller say they should be happy to be banished?

They will be able to live among other free. Signup and view all the answers

Why are Shakespeare and scientific research banned?

Art, literature, and scientific inquiry would upset the stability of society. Signup and view all the answers

What does John mean when he says, 'I claim them all'?

He wants his life to be filled with the full range of human passions, desires, and emotions. Signup and view all the answers

Why does John drink mustard water?

He wants to vomit and purify himself. Signup and view all the answers

Why does John torture himself?

He is tortured within with grief for his mother and anger at the society that comes to gawk at him. Signup and view all the answers

To what end does John come?

He hangs himself after the crowd drives him into a violent frenzy. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Characters and Concepts

Director of Hatcheries and Conditioning (DHC): Oversees the creation and conditioning of human beings in the World State.
Bokanovsky's Process: A method used to create up to ninety-six identical embryos from a single egg, ensuring uniformity in lower castes.
Social Stability: Bokanovsky's Process allows for the precise manipulation of the population to maintain social order by ensuring the right number of workers in various roles.

Conditioning and Control

Conditioning Purpose: Aims to foster contentment within societal roles and create disdain for higher classes, preventing dissatisfaction.
Anti-Book and Anti-Flower Conditioning: Lower castes are conditioned to hate books and flowers through negative reinforcement, as education and appreciation for nature are deemed unnecessary.

Beliefs and Values

Deity of the World State: Ford, a nod to advancements in mass production, symbolizing industrial worship.
"Mother" as an Obscene Term: Represents emotional attachment and familial bonds, which are eradicated in favor of societal efficiency.

Relationships and Isolation

Lenina's Attraction to Bernard: Finds him appealing due to his status as an Alpha Plus and his uniqueness, contrasting societal norms.
Isolation of Bernard and Hemholtz: Despite both being Alphas, they feel out of place and disconnected from society's expectations.

Societal Practices

Solidarity Service: A communal event combining soma use and sexual liberation, designed to reinforce social cohesion.
Bernard's Non-Conformity: His desire for meaningful connections and nature walks signifies a rejection of societal norms, resulting in threats of exile.

Differences between John and Other Savages

Linda and John's Unique Status: Linda, a World State citizen, and John, her son, are viewed as outsiders on the Savage Reservation.
John's Education: Trained in pottery by Mitsima and introduced to Shakespeare, indicating a profound connection to literature and creativity.

Personal Toll and Society’s Impact

John's Distaste for Civilization: Discontent with Bokanovsky's Process and societal customs like soma use reflects a deep conflict between his upbringing and the World State.
Reactions to Grief: John's struggle with his mother’s death highlights the emotional disconnect in a society that discourages individual feelings.

Outcomes of Rebellion

John’s Resistance: Attempts to halt soma distribution symbolize a rebellion against societal control, emphasizing his belief in emotional freedom.
Exile of Bernard and Helmholtz: Their banishment underscores the intolerance for nonconformity in the World State, presenting islands as places of potential liberation.

Final Descent into Chaos

John’s Self-Purification Rituals: Consuming mustard water and self-torture represent his struggle against societal norms and personal grief.
Tragic Conclusion: John’s eventual suicide signifies the ultimate despair and rejection of a life devoid of authentic human experience and connections.

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Test your knowledge with these flashcards on key concepts from Aldous Huxley's 'Brave New World'. Each card presents a critical term or idea, along with a concise definition. Ideal for students looking to deepen their understanding of the novel's themes and techniques.