Brave New World Civilized vs. Savage
Brave New World
If a person walked past twenty people, at least half of them would be using technological devices. People can send photos, papers and videos with the click of a button. These new scientific creations have been said to make life simpler for the common person. It is said that technology is the key to success and progress in a society but many argue that it is religion and faith instead. Which is true? What really leads to improvements? Is it technology, or does "technological process merely provide us with more efficient means of going backwards"(Aldous Huxley)? This conflict is shown in Aldous Huxley's book, Brave New World. This book tells the story of two separate societies: Civilized and Savage. They both have completely different methods and ideas in life. The divergence and importance of both technology and religion are shown in Brave New World, where forms of technology are used to progress the Civilized society while the Savages use religious ideas and processes to improve society; yet real progress is shown in the Savage Reservation. Soma, a drug created as a result of technological advancements, is used in the Civilized society to help people get over their problems; if people can overcome their problems, they will be progressing themselves, thus progressing society. The purpose of soma is demonstrated when Lenina is in the Savage Reservation with Bernard, and they are watching an enticing young Savage “sacrifice” himself to the Gods Pookong and Jesus. Lenina is completely appalled by this and needs something to take her away from this horrific scene. To get through this tough time, she “‘[wishes] that [she] had [her] soma’”(Huxley 116). This example stands to show that soma is used to help Civilized people escape difficult experiences. While this form of technology helps Lenina get through difficulties and make them , will it improve her mentally and make her a better person? It will not. The use of soma gives people an escape
If a person walked past twenty people, at least half of them would be using technological devices. People can send photos, papers and videos with the click of a button. These new scientific creations have been said to make life simpler for the common person. It is said that technology is the key to success and progress in a society but many argue that it is religion and faith instead. Which is true? What really leads to improvements? Is it technology, or does "technological process merely provide us with more efficient means of going backwards"(Aldous Huxley)? This conflict is shown in Aldous Huxley's book, Brave New World. This book tells the story of two separate societies: Civilized and Savage. They both have completely different methods and ideas in life. The divergence and importance of both technology and religion are shown in Brave New World, where forms of technology are used to progress the Civilized society while the Savages use religious ideas and processes to improve society; yet real progress is shown in the Savage Reservation. Soma, a drug created as a result of technological advancements, is used in the Civilized society to help people get over their problems; if people can overcome their problems, they will be progressing themselves, thus progressing society. The purpose of soma is demonstrated when Lenina is in the Savage Reservation with Bernard, and they are watching an enticing young Savage “sacrifice” himself to the Gods Pookong and Jesus. Lenina is completely appalled by this and needs something to take her away from this horrific scene. To get through this tough time, she “‘[wishes] that [she] had [her] soma’”(Huxley 116). This example stands to show that soma is used to help Civilized people escape difficult experiences. While this form of technology helps Lenina get through difficulties and make them , will it improve her mentally and make her a better person? It will not. The use of soma gives people an escape