One of the basic elements that the plot of Brave New World rests on is the caste system. In the novel, people are conditioned to believe that their caste is the best, regardless of whether they are Alpha or Epsilon. There is no movement between castes--no possibility of movement--but people are made to be happy with where they are in life.
Most people would agree that there are class divisions in American society today. One of the main differences between America 2007 and BNW 632 A.F. is that in America there is at least the belief that people can change their social class-whether that is by hard work, or luck, or some other circumstance.
In BNW they believe their caste system leads to social stability. In America, there is certainly social conflict and tension related to our class system.
Would it be better for society--and for individual people--if people just happily accepted their lot in life? Would it help to ease tension and conflict in our society? Would it help to eliminate some of the stress of modern life in America? Would these be good things?
EXPLAIN why you think as you do.
3 comments:
Brave New World is a book. It exists only in 2, sometimes 1 dimensional letters, ink. Humans are multifascetted and life is more complex than a tesseract. This is not to say that the theory is completly irrational, but only that there are less dehumanizing ways to increse social stability. As a whole, our emotions are our own. Government should take no part in peoples' freedom to decide. Some people need a little hysteria. Some people wouldn't be happy to always be happy. BNW defines stability as without conflict. I believe stability can be achieved by balancing conflict with resolution, love with loss, and power with poverty. But this is our job, as a people. As humans, as beings, as governers of ourselves and eachother. Sure it would be great for everyone to be happy with where they are- wether they're stable or unstable, but this is our job. We must start with ourselves.
Sometimes life would be easier if everyone just accepted who they were. However, Thats not how society is nor should it be. I am a firm believer in the fact that if things were too easy all the hard work would mean nothing. What i mean by that is this. Bad things happen but good things wouldn't feel so good if it wasn't for the bad things. So maybe, it would be easier to accept who you are but definitely not better. Our whole society is based on bettering yourself and striving for more. Tension in our society will always exist. Our world is not like BNW in the least bit. Everyone is competitive. I certainly can not sit here and tell you what would be best for our society because quite frankly i don't know. All i know is what would be best for me. I like our society the way it is. Although there are classes and tension and etc that come with it. Life is about making your dreams come true. Sometimes, you get thrown things that make things harder but that makes picking yourself back up ten times better. I believe that america doesn't need a change in social classes but possibly a change in attitude towards others not because of social classes but because of other ridiculous things.
In this case it all comes down to the lesser of two evils. Each way you chose, being able to change or being happy where you are and not changing at all, comes with a price. With the freedom to change everyone is unhappy with their own situation and wishes to be richer, more famous, better looking, etc. etc.
However, if everyone was content and locked themselves into classes we would have the structure and peace that Brave New World portrays, however this would end up being governmentally controlled and we would lose alot of our freedoms and knowledge of a better life.
It all comes down to freedom or ignorant happiness. Take your pick.
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