BNW vs. today's world

Although BNW and today's world may seem to be nothing alike, they do have a few similarities. In BNW they control the population of the world. Although they do not control when you die, the government decides if a person is born or kept within the bottle. China is an example of one place in the modern world in which they do practice poplulation control. The government in China limits the number of children each family can have, thereby controlling the number of citizens in China. Another similarity also has to do with how the people in BNW make humans. The Bokanovsky groups can be compared to today's housing developments. In BNW the Bokanovsky groups were used to mass produce humans that all looked exactly alike. The government would use the same genes to make several hundred people for one task. Housing developments serve the same purpose, a lot of houses built in the cheapest and fastest way possible. The last similarity was one that I quickly noticed in the book. In BNW people took soma to get away from their life and their problems. In today's world alcohol is a great comparison to soma. Alcohol is used by most when they want to get away from troubles that haunt them in their daily lives. They may use alcohol to be happy and find relief. The only differences between soma and alcohol is that soma has no side effects, while alcohol will leave the user hung over and feeling worse than ever. This similarites help bring the reader to see how BNW adapted from the world of today.

Lenina and John

Although Lenina (through hypnopaedia) and John (through the works of Shakespeare) were conditioned using different methods they both were affected in the same way. They both believe with all their heart and mind what they were told or read. The conditioning that they received helped to prepare them for the society that they lived in. Lenina was prepared to share the same beliefs as the rest of BNW; while John learned about feelings and love through Shakespeare.The seperate conditioning types gave Lenina and John the characteristics they needed to live in their society only. If either had been conditioned using the other's method they would have never fit into their own world.

The biggest difference between the conditioning of Lenina and John is that John's conditioning was voluntary. Lenina had no choice what she was conditioned to do, because the government controlled what she learned based on her social class. John chose to read the works of Shakespeare. Even though it was the only other book, besides a manual, he decided to read and get his morals from that book.

Lenina and John are unable to understand each other, because their conditioning has taught them to think differently about simple moral issues. One example is how they each feel about love, Lenina is conditioned to believe that "everyone belongs to everyone else" and that it is proper to engage in exotic play with others. John, through Shakespeare's works has grown up believe love is a sacred thing and sex should be held off until marriage. One modern day example of this inablility to get along is seen among the different religions or parts of the world. Just recently, a polygomist was taken in to custody. While he may believe that how he lived his life was proper and right, several other people believe that this is wrong. In BNW, Lenina and John try to get over their differences to love each other.

Brave New World

Connections between Brave New World and Utopia:
The connections between Brave New World and Utopia include wanting to make every one the same, though in BNW this similarity is by class. Both societies are about the good of the society. They do have some differences. In BNW marriage is illegal while in Utopia it was what was wanted. In BNW they wanted to keep different people away from each other and in Utopia everyone had to help each other.

What is good about BNW:
In BNW I like how they make everyone like what they are doing. The government wanted everyone to have a good like, even if it would really be boring to others. I thought that was a good idea for everyone.

One thing that troubles me:
The one thing that troubled me the most was how they condition the babies with electric shock. I could barely read this part of the book, and it almost made me sick to think about. This is a form of punishment and harsh conditioning. I wish they would come up with another way to condition their children.

Utopia Book Tres

This last part was really just more on the different parts to the Utopian lifestyle and customs. This part did not freak me out as much as the first, but I still realize that I would not want to live in a Utopian society.

• Slaves are either the poor or the criminals in the Utopian community.

Disagree: I still do not believe that they should of had slaves in their society. The poor should definitely not become slaves, just because they do not have money. Like the sick they should help their poor become better people.

• Help the sick however much they need help and if necessary kill them to end their suffering.

Disagree: I do not believe in killing others, even if it is to relieve their pain. You are still killing someone which is a power that God, not humans have. But, I do believe that they should help their sick people feel better and do what ever they can to help relieve their pain WITHOUT killing them.

• The marrying age for women is 18 and 22 for men.

Split decision: I do not like how they have a set age for marriage, because that is a decision I believe the couple should make. I like how this is an age when people have matured and do not rush into marriage as quickly as when they were younger. This becomes especially important in this society, because divorce is not allowed, so if you rush into a relationship you will be stuck with that person forever. Anyways, we have rules like this in the United States, you have to be a certain age or get consent from your parents.

• If you have premarital sex you can not get married.

Split decision: I do not agree with sex before marriage, but I do not believe that someone should be denied marriage because of a mistake they may have made when they were younger.

• Polygamy and divorce are not allowed (divorce can only happen if there is adultery).

Split decision: I do not agree with polygamy and believe it should not happen now. I disagree with divorce, but I know that in some cases the children and families would do better of if the parents were not together.

• Harsh crime= harsh punishment

Somewhat agree: I do not believe in slavery, but this seems to be like our common day jail. They must do labor for committing the awful crime they did. Instead of being killed, they must help society by providing their services to the city.

• Men chose their wives not based upon looks, but their obedience to him.

Disagree: Men should not be the ones choosing their spouse, it should be mutual. He should also not pick his wife by her obedience to him. This sickens me to think about this.

• People can worship who ever they want, not set religion.

Agree: I believe this is one of the great things about our country is that we are able to believe whatever we want to believe in.

• People should become married, unless religiously they can not.

Disagree: While I believe I will get married when I am older, I know several people who do not want to get married and settle down. This should be a personal decision.

• Children are made to help the country.

Disagree: Whoa, No. Children should be made from love, not just to be extra hands to help. This made me extremely mad and I strongly disagree with this.

• No sacrifices.

Agree: Sacrifices are just another form of killing.

This should become a read of anyone who ever says they want to live in a Utopian society.