Brave New World Questions for Study and Discussion

Brave New World is one of the most controversial and best-known works by Aldous Huxley, an English writer/philosopher who authored more than 50 books. In this dystopian novel first published in 1932, Huxley foretold many technological advances—including test-tube babies, immersive entertainment systems, and sleep-learning. The World State in which the novel takes place has been engineered by its leaders to be devoid of strong emotions, passion, and longterm personal relationships.  Here, children are manufactured, not born. Once created, they are conditioned, intellectually and physically, to mature into adults who will satisfy the strictures of predetermined caste roles. The novel has been listed as one of the top English-language books of the 20th century. Its often read in English classes and is a popular choice in book clubs. Some view it as a cautionary tale, while others see it as satire. Here are a few questions for study and discussion. Brave New World Study and Discussion Questions What is the importance of the title?Why is the society in Brave New World considered  dystopian rather than utopian? Do you agree? Would you want to live in the World State? Why or Why not?How do you think the culture in Huxleys World State compares  to our current culture? Why did John find the World State to be an empty society?  What are the main conflicts in the novel? What types of conflict (physical, moral, intellectual, or emotional) did you take note of?Does Aldous Huxley reveal his own character in his writing?What are some themes in the story? How do they relate to the plot and characters?What are some symbols in Brave New World? How do they relate to the plot and characters?Is Bernard consistent in his actions? Who is he? How does he relate with others? What is his position in society? Is he a fully developed character? How? Why?Compare/contrast Bernard with John (the Savage).How does the Reservation compare with Bernards society?How do you feel about the use of the drug soma in the novel? Would you take soma if it were available?Do you find the characters likable? Are the characters people you would want to meet?Does the story end the way you expected it would? What led you to this conclusion?What is the central or primary purpose of the story? Is the purpose important or meaningful?How essential is setting to the story? Could the story have taken place anywhere else?Why has the book been controversial?Is Brave New World believable? Do you think its main events could really take place?What is the role of women in the text? How are mothers represented? What about single/independent women?Do you think Brave New World exhibits feminist ideas?Do you think the World Society has actually achieved the racial and gender equality it claims to have? Why or why not?What do you think of the roles of freemartins in the World State? Are they an oppressed group?Would you recommend this novel to a friend?

Taking a Look at Howard Philips Lovecraft - 1952 Words

Howard Philips Lovecraft has been described by many as the father of the modern horror story. His works influenced many future horror writers and set the tone for heavy metal music and horror films from the 1960s to the 1990s. Much of this influence is based upon H. P. Lovecraft’s depiction of humanity in his stories. In the works of Howard Philips Lovecraft, the portrayal of humanity as an inconsequential piece of the universe that is unable to exact any meaningful change in the world due to its frail sanity and its inability to truly comprehend what is happening in its surroundings. is based upon H. P. Lovecraft’s personal philosophy and life experiences. When H.P. Lovecraft was three years old, his father was confined to a mental institution where he would die a few years later. With his father’s death, Lovecraft was cared for by his mother, two aunts, and his maternal grandfather. Lovecraft was an exceptionally intelligent child and by the age of six he would often read Gothic horror stories with his grandfather. Although he was extremely intelligent, Lovecraft did not regularly attend school until he was eight. H. P. was a sickly child and early in life began to suffer from terrible night terrors. While attending high school, Lovecraft suffered a nervous breakdown and never actually graduated. Following his departure from school, H. P. Lovecraft lived with his mother for several more years. During this period, he worked on writing poetry and short stories.

Humans In The Biosphere Essay Example For Students

Humans In The Biosphere Essay The biosphere is part of the earth in which life exists. It is 20 km thick from the bottom of the ocean to the lower atmosphere. It consists of three layers: the lithosphere, which is the land on the surface of the earth; the hydrosphere, which comprises of the water on the earth as well as water vapor in the air; and the atmosphere, which is made up of the air that surrounds the earth. The living organisms in the biosphere interact and affect each other in many ways. This is called a biotic factor. Similarly, there are non-living elements that have an effect on living organisms, these are considered abiotic factors. Examples of abiotic factors are air, temperature, water, soil, light, and minerals. In a biosphere, organisms live in special groupings. For instance, a population consists of all individuals of a species living in a general area. A community is a population located in a certain area living among different species. An ecosystem is yet a larger conglomeration of a population, a community, and abiotic factors. Ecosystems can be aquatic or terrestrial. The earths aquatic ecosystem makes up about 75% of the earths surface. This aquatic environment is divided into marine and freshwater environments. The earths terrestrial ecosystem is mainly made up of forests and deserts, which make up for 25% of the earths surface. The role or function of an organism in a community is that organisms niche. An organisms niche is an area picked by that organism based on physical factors such as temperature, light, oxygen and carbon dioxide content and biological factors such as food, competition for resources and predators. This niche provides the organism a place to live in. A habitat remains consistent with an organisms niche as well as provides the organism with a place to reproduce. In this case, organisms may have the same habitat, but different niches. There are three types of relationships involving the interactions between organisms. They are mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism. Mutualism is a relationship where both organisms benefit from their interaction with each other. An example is the honey bee and a flowering plant. Commensalism only benefits one organism, but the other organism is not affected. Parasitism only benefits one organism and harms the other organism, which most of the time is the host. In the ecosystem, matter and nutrients are cycled via biogeochemical cycles such as water, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and phosphorous. The burning of fossil fuels contributes to the industrial cycle of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This contributes to the greenhouse effect, which has been a reason for global warming. Nitrogen is found in the atmosphere and makes up about 78% of the earths air mixture. Oxygen makes up about 22% of the earths air mixture, and pollutants make up about 1% of the earths air mixture. Nitrogen is important in the development of organisms on earth, as the make compounds such as proteins and amino acid. These compounds are important because they make up DNA and other compounds crucial to the formation and sustenance of life. Changes in an ecosystem are brought about by different factors. For example, ecological succession brings about the replacement of one community by another in an ecosystem. In other instances, organisms that colonize an area with no community present are considered pioneer organisms. A climax community is the final stage of development of organisms and can be disrupted by a major catastrophe like a volcanic eruption. Bibliography: