Huxley's Future Humans

Book Review # 105541

Literature > English
Religion and Theology

An analysis of the portrayal of religion in Aldous Huxley's novel "Brave New World".

1,721 words () | 7 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how Aldous Huxley's futuristic society frighteningly reflects today's culture, especially with its candid portrayal of religion and the deteriorating state of spiritual life. The paper looks at the increasing scientific advancements today that contribute to the everlasting quest for happiness which goes on to eradicate the need for anything religious or spiritual in nature. The paper shows how Huxley's masterpiece serves as a dire warning of society's eventual degradation and loss of spirituality.

From the Paper:

"Of all the elements of Aldous Huxley's novel Brave New World--babies in bottles, sexually promiscuous children, and the widespread use of the drug soma--perhaps what makes his futuristic piece so intriguing is the feasibility of his tantalizing tale. The story of a future filled with happy and oblivious humans living in a state-controlled world devoid of any creativity or life has become increasing similar to the world of today. Aldous Huxley's futuristic society frighteningly reflects today's socially spiraling culture, especially with its candid portrayal of religion and the deteriorating state of spiritual life."

Sample of Sources Used:

Attarian, John, and Harold Bloom. "Brave New World and the Flight from God." Bloom's Modern Critical Views: Aldous Huxley (2003): 9-24. Literary Reference Center. EBSCO. Hedges Library, Chattanooga, TN. 17 January 2008. <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lfh&AN=16492954&site=ehost-live>.
Buck Jr. , Philo M. "Sight to the Blind: Aldous Huxley." Directions in Contemporary Literature. Oxford University Press, 1942. 169-91. Rpt. in Contemporary Literary Criticism. Ed. James P. Draper. Vol. 79. Detroit: Gale, 1994. 286-289.
Deery, June . "Technology and Gender in Aldous Huxley's Alternative Worlds." Extrapolation 33 (1992): 258-273. Literary Reference Center. EBSCO. Baylor School Hedges Library, Chattanooga, TN 22 January 2008 <http://web.ebscohost.com>.
Greenblatt, Stephen. "Aldous Huxley." Three Modern Satirists: Waugh, Orwell, and Huxley. Yale University Press, 1965. 75-101. Rpt in Twentieth-Century Literary Criticism. Ed. James P. Draper. Vol. 79. Detroit: Gale, 1994. 304-306.
Hazlitt, Henry . "What's Wrong With Utopia?" The Nation. New York: 1932. 204-206. Rpt. in Twentieth-Century Literary Criticism. Ed. James P. Draper. Vol. 79. Detroit: Gale, 1994. 285-286.