Chapter 3 analysis

The passage reminded me somewhat of The Grapes of Wrath with its varying point of view changes, from narrative to lyric-like passages.  I found the “lyric” sections of chapter three in Brave New World to hold the most interesting information in regards to this value system that the society follows. 

Mustapha Mond initially mentions the concepts of family, monogamy, and romance, depicting them as “everywhere exclusiveness” and “a narrow channeling of impulse and energy”.  Mond describes the families of the past with negative connotations such as “exclusive” and “narrow” so as to emphasize the immorality of such beliefs in history.  Through this insight, Mond additionally reveals one strong principle that the society enforces: “everyone belongs to everyone else”.  This principle ultimately eliminates outsiders from society by looking down upon families and couples.  The presence of such exclusive relationships between people leads to emotions, feelings, desires, both negative and positive.  But instead of highlighting the wonderful rewards that come with families and monogamy, Mond speaks of the “fierce and foamy” wild jet of emotions that such relationships entail, with only one outlet.  He reminds his students of the dangers of feeling strongly and how it leads to “lonely remorses” and “endlessly isolating pain”.  In this way, Mond demonstrates the common belief that the absence of pain keeps men sane and “stable in contentment”, thus keeping the wheels upon their axels.  Without pain, there are no uncontrollable streams of emotion.  And this, Mond contends, is a much better way to live. 

With these goals established, Mond continues to describe the new definitions of principles used today, revealing the clever manipulation Huxley uses to prove his point.  For instance, chapter three incorporates Fanny and Lenina and their many relationships.  Ironically, Fanny shows her utter disgust at Lenina for staying with the same man for nearly four months when she really should be with a new man each day.  Here, Huxley stretches the principle of “everyone belonging to everyone” to a ridiculous extent by revealing the backward thinking of this society. 

Additionally, Mond mentions the drug soma, the substance that allows one to take a holiday from reality at any time.  Here, Huxley manipulates the concepts of impulse, feelings, and desires because the drug keeps society from feeling its real impulses.  Rather, it reaches a high where pain cannot enter the mind.  A state of numbness, you might say.  Feeling nothing is better than feeling both joy and pain, apparently.  

Sorry, this post was a bit longer than I thought...