Summary Of Dystopia In Brave New World: The Objects

A dystopia represents an artificial world with the vision of a perfect society but is flawed and defective due to the influences surrounding it. Authors of dystopian literature, such as Yuri Herrera and Aldous Huxley, take societies and create dark and futuristic universes, altering the lives of each citizen. The elements of this type of literature not only change society, but also conform others to certain expectations. Many of the dark, oppressive characteristics of dystopian literature are abundant within Yuri Herrera’s “The Objects” and can be compared to Brave New World by Aldous Huxley by examining the characters, setting, and point of view of the short story. Throughout dystopian literature, the characters themselves play significant

Herrera writes, “Another object, in from outside, and then, to one side of the vestibule, Rafa, crouched down, head between his thighs, awaiting the moment to carry out his new job pushing the bosses from the building” (Herrera 53). Characters in dystopian literature often feel trapped and that they must escape the society to which they are confined. Rafa represents these feeling when he becomes frustrated and discovers that the “bosses” are objects, and not animals. Aside from this fear and frustration, dystopian protagonists generally disagree with morals and standards of the society that they are a part of and tend to go against the beliefs of the culture. “The Objects” begins with Rafa looking at the vestibule “in hatred,” and then he later states, “I can't take it,” referring to the constant changes that the society forces upon others. This is similar to the dystopian novel, Brave New World, as one character, Bernard, shares the same feelings. He is considered an Alpha male, but fails to fit in with the rest of his kind. Bernard’s beliefs and insecurities on society cause him to become disconnected with the World State, in which he later attempts to fit into his own society. Characters from dystopian literature are often dehumanized as

To obtain this “perfect society,” dystopias constantly monitor their citizens and watch over their every move. Once Rafa transforms into the louse from the vestibule, he knows he must hide quickly because those in higher ranking would be there to watch over him and monitor his work. Herrera writes, “The moment I felt Rafa-louse jump onto my ear I began to run before anyone from the upper offices appeared transformed into a dog or cat” (Herrera 52). This fear of superiority and of the outside world is created through the constant surveillance of those in control. Rafa, and the rat, are comparable to the citizens in Brave New World, as they are both conditioned to believe certain things, and are both constantly monitored throughout the process. The societies in dystopian literature are always broken up into categories to distinguish between those with power and control and those with little influence. In Herrera’s “The Objects,” the society is divided into a hierarchy where the smallest animals are on the bottom and the bigger ones on top. The hierarchy began with small rats and lice, and went to dogs and cats, and those with full control were believed to be the lions and sharks. Huxley’s, Brave New World, also portrays these similar characteristics through dividing his society into