Brave New World – Individual Needs
Brave New World Sometimes very advanced societies overlook the necessities of
the individual. In the book Brave New World, Aldous Huxley creates two
distinct societies: the Savages and the Fordians. The Fordians are
technologically sophisticated, unlike the Savages. However, it is obvious
that, overall, the Savages have more practical abilities, have more,
complicated, ideals, and are much more advanced emotionally, which all help
the individual to grow. The Savage Reservation provides more opportunities
for personal growth than does the Fordian society. Throughout the story, it is
shown how the Fordian society is much more advanced technologically than
the Savage Reservation. Because the Reservation is not fully equipped with
well-developed machinery to do all their work for them, they must learn to do
it themselves. Unlike the Fordians, the Savages are taught functional skills,
such as stitching up simple tears and weaving. In the story Mitsima, an old
man from the reservation, teaches John the Savage how to make a clay pot,
using nothing but a lump of clay and his own two hands. This is a very
practical and useful tool. The Savages are taught to cook for themselves, and
to clean for themselves. These teachings help the individual to grow
practically. The Savages also bestow good ideals in their people from which
they can learn, understand, and grow. One of the most important things that
the Savages are taught is self-control. The Whipping Ceremony is a good
example of this. In this ceremony a young man was whipped to death in front
of a large audience and throughout it he "made no sound…[and] walked on at
the same slow, steady pace" (97). The man is taught that to show his strength
he must use the uttermost limits of his self-control. They are also taught
self-control in how they are prohibited free sex. They must learn restraint
through their lust and desires. It is shown how capable the Savages are when
controlling themselves in chapter 13. Lenina, whom John loves and desires
more than anything in the world, is proclaiming herself to John, and yet he
restrains himself because they are not married. The Savages are also taught
to be responsible. For instance, in families the parents must care for, love,
and nurture their children as best they can in order for them to develop. An
example of this is how Linda takes full responsibility for raising John, and
even though she has very few skills, she teaches him to read. Another thing
that the Savages provide for their people is a past from which to learn. For
example the old men in the pueblo tell stories of how the world began. They
said that "the seed of men and of all creatures, the seed of the sun and the
seed of the earth" is how the world was created (109). The Savages can learn
from this story not to take advantage of things. Things must be tended to for
growth, like seeds. This story also gives people the impression that all
things are equal. By saying that no matter how big or important something is,
it started as a seed, and requires the same type of care, it is like saying
that everything is equally important and precious. Self-control, strength,
responsibility, and history are only three of the ideals Savages are taught
to help them grow. The Savages are not withheld from feeling emotion, and are
encouraged to deal with them, rather than ignore them. This is shown is the
contempt the Savage boys show towards John because he is different, and the
pain John feels. Even though these are not happy emotions they are still
emotions which the Savages can use to express themselves. These emotions can
be used as learning experiences and certainly help all of them to grow. The
Savages are also taught to express love. This is chiefly shown in the
relationship between John and Linda. For example, when the angry women come
to hurt Linda, John tries to protect her and ends up himself getting hurt.
Their love for each other is also shown in how Linda reconciles with John
after hurting him when she "suddenly put her arms round him and kissed him
again and again" (107). All of these emotions contribute to someone's
personality and help him or her to grow as a feeling person. Since the
industrial revolution, human kind has placed great emphasis on technological
change. The Savage society teaches us that pre-industrial values may have as
much to offer us as modern technological society does, and possibly more. The
so-called Savage society is far more realistic, and shows stronger personal
values than the more superficial Fordian society. Above all, the 'Savages'
can express their inner soul far more effectively than their industrial
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