Summer Reading 2017

Brave New World,

by Aldous Huxley (1932)

A perfect "Utopia" has been engineered in the year AD 2540 ( or 632 A.F. -- After Ford), thanks to genetic engineering, pharmaceuticals, psychology,  social stratification, and entertainment. What happens when a "Savage" is brought into this world?

What to Know About the Book Before You Read It.

This book is an interesting contrast to 1984, in that it envisions a future totalitarian utopia, instead of a dystopia.

This is a work of Satire, which uses exaggeration to  ridicule or critique  aspects of government and society.

Advanced technology has brought about a Utopia by manipulation and over-stimulation.

SEE BELOW for more background, relevance, etc.

       1. The novel has a sense that everyone has their place and are predestined into a class through the use of technology and their physical presence:   “Standard men and women; in uniform batches” (Huxley 7).  How does the use of technology in creating a class system impact the novel and how do we see technology separating us into classes today?

     2. “The greater a man’s talents, the greater his power to lead astray” (Huxley 148).  What is our responsibility, if we have one, as it pertains to digital citizenship and how we communicate within a digital world?

    3. “Yes that’s just like you.  Getting rid of everything unpleasant instead of learning to put up with it” (Huxley 238).  What are the unpleasant issues surrounding our world and how do we continue to be progressive and not “put up with it”?

    4.  Do we as citizens have the right to know ALL of the projects and studies that our government is conducting or is it better for society as a whole to not have all of the information available?

   5. What would the reservation in the novel represent in 2017 American society?  Who would be there?  Would anyone choose to go there?

Theme-based Guided Questions for all Books

Consider these questions as you are reading your book. Having answers to them, with quotations from the book (cite page number) as supporting evidence will be very helpful when it is time to discuss and assess your reading.

1. When was your book written? When does it take place? How does that compare to 2017?

2. Who holds power or authority in your book?  

• What role does technology play in creating or maintaining that authority?  
• What role does communication or language play in creating or maintaining that authority?

3. How does technology affect the daily lives of the characters in your book?

• What role does technology play in communication between characters?
• Who has access to technology?
• How does the technology compare to today's technology?

4. What kinds of information or media is communicated in your book? -- News? Advertising? Entertainment? Education? Propaganda? etc?

• Who creates it, and for what purpose?
• Who controls it, and for what purpose?
• Who consumes it, and for what purpose?

Links to topics in  GALE Opposing Viewpoints in Context, including essays, periodicals, and more

Reminder:  Passwords for Library Databases are on Canvas > RamsCentral > Library