Brave New World Essay

Individuality in The Brave New World

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Imagine living in a society where the government tries to get rid of individuality within the population. In Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, the World State is just that type of society. The author uses many methods to put forward the theme of individuality through his characters. The characters who exhibit strong individuality and independence are two Alpha plus, Bernard Marx, and Helmholtz Watson, and John the Savage.

To begin with, Bernard Marx was the first character that was made known to the readers who stood out in the World State. He was known to be different from his fellow Alpha plus. Even though he was smart and a psychologist, Bernard was still looked down upon others. Huxley described Bernard as a short man who tends to be alone and quiet. It stated in the book that a rumor was going around that alcohol got mixed in Bernard's bottle, which can explain his weird behavior. There is a scene in the book where Bernard goes to a required solidarity service so he can be somewhat part of society. However, during the service, he was so fixated on Morgana's unibrow, that he couldn't feel the same way the other felt. So he has to pretend to feel the same as the other in the ceremony. Afterward, Bernard's self-consciousness grew, and this shows that he is truly an individual who is just trying to find a different way in life other than the World State. The author wrote,

"She was full, she was made perfect, she was still more than merely herself. 'Didn't you think it was wonderful?' she insisted, looking into Bernard's face with those supernaturally shining eyes. 'Yes, I thought it was wonderful,' he lied and looked away; the sight of her transfigured face was at once an accusation and an ironical reminder of his own separateness" (Huxley 86).

Another time that Bernard showed the readers his individuality was when Bernard refused a soma sundae that Lenina offered him so that he can have more fun. He explains that he doesn't want to lose himself and his identity with anything that alters his personality or the way he feels. He is better of being himself, even when in a bad mood, rather than experiencing pleasure induced from drugs and lose his individuality. Huxley states in the book,

"He remained obstinately gloomy the whole afternoon; wouldn't talk to Lenina's friends (of whom they met dozens in the ice-cream soma bar between the wrestling bouts); and in spite of his misery absolutely refused to take the half-gramme raspberry sundae which she pressed upon him. "I'd rather be myself," he said.