In the novel Brave New World, contrast is used to keep the readers attention. Without contrast the novel would most likely lead into a predictable plot and the setting would be simply too synthetic. The author Aldous Huxley has maintained this contrast by many different formats. He has provided contrast in physical settings, characters, emotional atmospheres and in his language style.
The main setting of the story is in London, which has moved forward with the world and is considered part of Utopia. Here the drug soma is handed out equally amongst people, based on their social class. People are no-longer viviparous and "everyone belongs to everyone else" sexually. Technology is utilized, technology is even worshipped and the race's population is manufactured in "the Hatcheries". About halfway into the novel this is all contradicted with some characters (Lenina and Bernard) travelling to the "savage reservations". Here, natural methods of childbearing are still used, people are faithful to their one partner, traditional clothes, food etc; are still used and traditional Gods are still worshipped. Lenina (a Utopian) who has had very little experience in such a place as the savage reservation, is horrified at how strange all the people are. To her consumerism is normal. Yet they mend and recycle clothes, she also finds it confronting that people suffer in order to praise their Gods with blood sacrifices.
There is also plenty of contrast to be found between characters. Lenina has been brought up in Utopia's environment, and has blissful ignorance towards anything which has not been conditioned to her. Her conditioning has removed her free will, her independent thinking and opinion. Bernard who is also Utopian has endured the same conditioning, although he is Utopias ideal misfit. Bernard along with a friend sees right through Utopia and searches for a deeper meaning in life. The two friends question science, art and literature. Towards the end of the novel, the (newly employed) Director explains that their inquisitive nature is threatening to Utopia because their knowledge would put happiness and stability in danger. Out on the savage reservation two characters have a significant role, not only do they live in a different environment to Bernard and Lenina but also provide contrast. Linda was once a Utopian until she was left behind and stuck in the savage reservation, pregnant. While she was very much like Lenina, on the reservation she had no access to her previous life. She did not understand the morals practiced by the savage people (such as faithfulness to one partner) and had no access to soma, the drug of happiness. She was out casted by the savage people for her reckless behaviour with the other women's husbands. Then she was later rejected by Utopia due to her poor condition after living as a savage and her motherhood. Linda's son John, was again a completely different character. He was told of a perfect world, by his mother Linda since he was a small child. Despite this, he was raised in the traditional culture of these savage people. Although he had knowledge of both worlds, his bewilderment and horror at finally seeing Utopia first hand was enough to be fatal. These four characters all have conflicting and matching traits in their lives and personalities which balance outeach others extremes.
Without the use of contrast, Brave New World would be a very sinister and boring book. If the novel did not have contrast, it would be strenuous for reading. The contrast between settings and characters is most necessary, as they are so significantin conveying meaning in such a tightly woven book.
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| An image showing contrast and the accepted behaviours between Utopians. Sourced from http://quadtquadt.tumblr.com/ |
