Brave New World

Brave New World introduces a question of the role of sex in society and the overall meaning it possesses. Going further, what should the role of men and women be in a relationship? Brave New World (BNW) offers a glimpse of sexual relations very different in its portrayal from our own, made public by certain scenes in the novel. BNW makes an interesting and controversial image of sexual activity and raises the question of its own role in our society, how it is changing, and what the consequences to society it may have. The impersonal scenes of dialogue and sexual activity that showcase the entire society answer the value of sex in BNW and what it represents.

The activity of sex is both an open topic and public subject in BNW. This seen early on as a group of employees tour the facility in BNW and we are first introduced to the foundations of society and the standards of the citizens. As they tour more information is given, and it is understood that the people are not born from two parents but engineered for certain use, and the director refers to parents as taboo in BNW society.

BNW represents sex as not personal or sacred, it is merely a form of pleasure without ethics. The conversations between Lenina and Fanny while they are dressing give the first general ideas of sex, as they talk about having multiple partners. As there conversation is happening, Bernard is listening as two other employees talk over women, thinking of his own disgust. During this point in the novel, one can clearly create a picture of how sex is perceived. While both these conversations are happening, the director continues his own lecture on the philosophy of BNW and that of Ford. During this period, the reader learns the most about BNW society, as the conversations leap frog from one to another. The reader can infer on the answer to why sex is looked upon the way it is.

As the novel proceeds more insight is given to sexuality and BNW society as a whole. To understand society is to understand all its aspects, thus including sex as well. When Lenina tries to seduce John, he is immediately taken back and expects an explanation for her actions. To Lenina this is normal for her, but John, who did not grow up in BNW feels frustration for Lenina and against the society he thought so much of, but now hates. The savage, John, whips Lenina because he can't understand her society's standards.

It can be inferred that the activities such as sex and the whole idealism of BNW is neither personal nor emotional. BNW society sees sex as it sees society, but never recognizing the negative effects of it. Our own society has moved sway away from the sanctity of intercourse, but not to such an extreme degree. Aldous Huxley's novel paints a picture of what our own society could be, a warning perhaps to what could become of us. Unfortunately society is in a constant change, and but unlike BNW we are able to see both the positive and negative affects