Brave New World Entry #2

1.       Do the high ranking officials really fear new ways of thinking as a threat to civilization?

Answer: The officials don’t exactly fear new thinking as a major end threat to civilization yet. First of all, they don’t really make anyone who doesn’t conform disappear as seen in 1984. Rather, they simply try to defend the public from radical views without going overboard. For example, the Director tries to isolate Bernard from the rest of civilization by proclaiming “In Iceland he will have small opportunity to lead others astray by his unfordly example” (Huxley 149). This shows that rather than completely taking the minority idea off the face of the earth, the government simply tries to keep it from reaching the public. Therefore, the officials cannot view the radical ideas as a major threat to their civilization.

2.       Could the “Ford State” survive without soma?

Answer: It would be nearly impossible for the Ford State to survive without their precious soma tablets. In Brave New World, soma basically takes the place of nicotine in the modern world. The citizens have developed a psychological need or addiction for soma. “Oh, I wish I had my soma,” said Lenina when the encountered the repulsive savage reservation (Huxley 116). The need for soma tends to come from being in an unpleasant situation. In a world with so many unpleasant aspects, taking away soma would be devastating to the population. The Ford State would be unable to function. People would not have the physical capacity to perform daily actions. It would be the end of the Ford State as they knew it.

3.        Could Bernard start a possible philosophical rebellion against standard Ford principles?

Answer: Yes, but it would have to be with the lower castes. The bottom line is that Bernard does not have the required presence to influence high ranking Alphas and Betas.  Huxley describes Bernard as a “creature with a Gamma-Minus physique” (173). If that’s the case, then shouldn’t he be better equipped to lead people such as the Gammas, Deltas, and Epsilons? Until becoming good friends with the Savage (John), Bernard was looked down upon by his colleagues. Almost all of them were taller and better looking than him. That said, they certainly aren’t going to want to take orders from him. It makes sense that he would have better success leading a thought rebellion with lower classes as opposed to talking up to more popular authority.