Happiness in Aldous Huxleys Brave New World Essay

When we look to define happiness, many different ideas come to mind. Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary uses three definitions for happiness: good fortune, a state of well being and contentment, and a pleasurable satisfaction. In Brave New World, Aldus Huxley argues that a society can redefine happiness through the government’s manipulation of the environment and the human mind itself. The government accomplishes this by mind conditioning throughout the process of maturing, keeping a caste-based society, and obliterating problems. The government thus defines happiness as the absence of all conflict. This differs from happiness as the American society sees it: the ability to pursue and enjoy individual desires. The†¦show more content†¦For problems that nature creates, the society of Brave New World destroys them to keep pestering insects and things of that sort from infringing on people’s happiness. It is evident that Bernard and Lenina shift their attitudes after they meet the savage, John. Bernard gets a taste of power after bringing the savage home to London and becomes satisfied and happy as defined by Brave New World, a complete turnaround from his previous, almost American ideals. Lenina finds love and joy, as an American would define it after being content for so many years in the society of Brave New World. Before he finds the savage, Bernard is unhappy with his surroundings, â€Å"With eyes for the most part downcast and, if ever they lighted on a fellow creature, at once and furtively averted, Bernard hastened across the roof. He was like a man pursued, but pursued by enemies he does not wish to see, lest they should seem more hostile even than he had supposed, and he himself be made to feel guiltier and even more helplessly alone.† (63) However, after he discovers John, he becomes just as artificial as every other conditioned human: â€Å"‘And I had six girls last week,’ he confided to Helmholtz Watson. ‘One on Monday, two on Tuesday, two more on Friday, and one on Saturday. And if I’d had the time or the inclination, there were at least a dozen more who were only too anxious†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢Ã¢â‚¬  (158-9). Lenina, nevertheless, has a personality change in theShow MoreRelatedAldous Huxley : Accomplished Literary Figure1432 Words   |  6 PagesAldous Huxley:Accomplished Literary Figure â€Å"If one s different, one’s bound to be lonely†-Huxley How the public collectively interacts has been a worldwide subject striking the interest of many. 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