Similarities between BNW and 1984

Both societies are completely different. One runs on fear and the other on happiness. It was difficult to find similiarities but I found a few. The first similiarity I found was that the government tried to erase history. The government had a huge control over their people in this way. Each did it in a different way but they made sure that the people didn't remember it and if they did then it was all bad things. In BNW they saw the people in history as savages and the things they did repulsed them. In 1984 everything they knew about history made them think that it was horrible and that everything today was better. The second similarity that I found was that each eliminates the true meaning of love and sex. BNW makes it so that sex is shared with no one and no one loves anyone more than another. In 1984 if you have sex you can go to jail and if you loved someone and they found out they would vanish you. Another similiarity is that both have different levels of social statuses. BNW had alphas, betas, gammas, and epsilons and each group stayed within themselves. In 1984, there is the inner party, party members, proles, etc.

Comparisons between BNW and our society

The biggest comparison I have found between the Brave New World and our modern society is between their drug, soma, and our modern drugs. Many people use drugs as an escape from reality just as the people in BNW do. Although their drug is legal and has no after effects, our society has many people who cherish drugs just as they do. Another comparison I found was between their "orgy-porgy's" and present day cluts and/or religions. As in cults/religious groups, they met in groups and worshiped something. They shared one cup just as Christians share their communion cup. Although the activities were completely different they shared similar qualities. The last similarity I found was the entertaining people do for themselves. People watch movies, play sports, and listen to music just as people in BNW do. At the same time they still maintain order in their society with guidance from the government.

Brave New World: Comparing Conditioning

In Brave New World, John and Lenina are both conditioned through different sources. John's conditioning came from the reading of Shakespeare's works and Lenina's through hypnoeapedia. Both however, do not really understand their conditioning but still follow it.

Lenina is often found quoting her conditioning when something happens that reminds her of it. She can not really understand what she's saying or why it is right, but it is what she has always lived her life by. She believes that sex is something you share with anyone you want to. She also was taught that having one person is wrong and selfish. She was conditioned to be comfortable with death and taught that it is a fun adventure.

John is also always quoting lines from Shakespeare and most of the time he doesn't really understand what he is reading. He applies these quotes to day to day life and believes it is right. He is the exact opposite of Lenina and believes that two people should be together forever and shouldn't have sex until they are married and committed to each other for life. Also, John sees death as horrible. He feels the deep loss of the person and freaks out when Linda dies and all the children think it is no big deal.

Neither one can explain why they believe what they do to each other and this causes problems when they try to understand each other. They can not see life from the others' point of view. They have trouble believing that anything but what they have always been taught can be right and that they may not be completely right themselves.

Brave New World

Brave New World and Utopia are connected through controlling society. They discourage individualism and encourage the sense of community. There is no "self" in any of their actions because they have been conditioned to work towards the good of the whole society.

This fact that they have no control over their own selves bothers me over everything else I have read so far. They have to share themselves with everyone and are often heard quoting their mantra that, "Everyone belongs to everyone else." To me this is rediculous. Your body should be your own and you should have control over what is done with it. I also think the fact that you can't have one love is crazy because there is always one person who you connect with better than everyone else. I think that Lenina should be able to spend as much time as she wants to with Henry and shouldn't have to have any other people.

The good part that I have found in this society is that everyone believes they are happy and seem to be content. In conditioning everyone is taught that their place in life is the best and they wouldn't want to be a part of any other cast. This helps them to feel a purpose in life. This also helps insure that there is someone to fill every job and no one has to be forced to do their set job. Another good thing is that no one physically gets old. This is good because you can work until the day you die and never feel the pain of getting old. The bad part about this is that no one will ever know when you would die and wouldn't expect it when it happens.

Book II of Utopia cont.

In the second half of Book II, Thomas More tells more about his ideas for the perfect society. Those things are as followed along with my ideas on each:

• Thomas More believed that slaves shouldn't be taken unless they are people who have committed crimes. I agree with this because it is a very effective way to punish criminals and at the same time, the community benefits from they work they have to do.
• People that volunteered to work as slaves in More's Utopia were treated with respect and paid money for their services. This is a good thing because these people work hard to make money and are helping others in return.
• More believed that those who are dying from a painful disease should be able to recieve help in dying. I agree because these people are suffering and are going to die soon. If death is inevitable they shouldn't have to suffer towards it.
• In More's perfect society, women weren't married before 18 and men before 22. Also, they were not to have sex before marriage and those who do are punished. This keeps them responsible and gives them time to be able to make a good decision about marriage.
• More believed that divorces shouldn't be allowed unless adultery occurs and the sufferer can remarry but the guilty are punished and can never remarry. This is a good thing because marriage should be forever but if one person is betrayed they shouldn't be punished further for something they didn't do.
• In More's Utopia, there are few laws that are set for the people. He believed that with too many it would be hard to follow. I agree with this because with too many it is hard to even know all the laws let alone follow them.
• More was against war and all his people thought it a practice of beasts. He also believed that there was no greater victory than that of great conduct. I agree with this because war doesn't solve anything but causes death instead. Also, more bloodshed just causes more hatred between societies.
• More believed that it would be best to avoid endangering his own men and leave the action for the ones they hire. I disagree with this because while it is good for their people it sets up their friends to possibly die. I think instead they should fight for each other equally.

In Thomas More's book two of Utopia, he hints at more of his ideas about the "perfect society." Characteristics and my opinions are as follows:

• More stated in not so many words that rude people should have their own island so that they are away from the nice people of the land. I see both perspectives on this. If you seperate them they don't learn to coinhabit with others. If you don't seperate them, however, the people that are nice have to deal with the problems from rude people.
• More stated that the people shift jobs every year so that everyone knows how to do every job. This helps so that no one can become irreplaceable if they happen to die or can no longer work.
• More said that everyone knew about agriculture. This is good because farming is very important. We get a lot of our food that way and it is cheaper to get the food if you can do it yourself.
• More believed that a set schedule was good. They would work for three hours before dinner and three after. This keeps organization which is important to keep things running smoothly. Also, it gives you a break in working so you can stay motivated.
• More believed that there should be no bad games for kids to play. This helps prevent the teaching of violence.
• More said that women did little jobs because they were weaker than men. I disagree with this because women can do the same things a man do when they are allowed to learn.
• More believed that no one should use money to buy things because everyone would share to help you. This just makes sense. If you need something your neighbors should help you if they have extra and vice versa.
• More said that one should be taught to read and learn when they aren't working. This is good because you can never learn too much. Knowledge is a great power. It is also a productive way to spend your time.
• More said that people should believe that God taught that good people got rewards and bad people should be punished. People should learn to do good things in order to get a reward instead of doing whatever they want.
• More believed that hunting for pleasure is bad and only should be done to get food. Killing small animals is pointless if they don't help you in any way. If you just do it for fun it is wrong.

Book I Of Utopia Summary

In Thomas More's Utopia, there are many hints at what he considers to be the "perfect society." These characteristics shown in book one are as follows along with my opinion on each:

• Thomas More said that everything great is a monarch. I believe that more than one person should have control of a country so that there are different points of views on every situation. With one ruler, he may not be able to see every side of a problem while with two or more that is made easier.
• More also believed that if you have great knowledge about the world that you should share it with the king and his people. He also said that this is the only way he can truly be useful. I disagree because no one should be forced to tell what he knows. He may find that his knowledge is best used to help only him and that if he shares it he will be of absolutely no use afterwards. After everyone knows everything he tells them his existance may be lessened in his own eyes.
• More tells that farmers, or the lower class, are treated poorly and given the bad end of the deal. If you can't help them they turn into thieves and shouldn't be punished for it. I agree with this because they are people too and shouldn't be given any worse treatment than anyone else. If they are struggling to survive and can't get any help from their king, they will go to great lengths to support the ones they love.
• More says that thieves shouldn't be punished to death but rather that the king should take precautions to prevent thievery in the first place. I agree with this. It is not a thieves fault that he had to turn to stealing just to survive. If the king would help everyone in the beginning equally, there would be no need to steal. Also, death for something that can be changed is a bit harsh.
• More believes that a king that has two kingdoms will cause both to fail. I agree because one king cannot do the work of two if he wants to do well. His abilities would be best served if he could apply them to a smaller amount of people and towards one country.
• More says that if a man has nothing to look forward to, he will ont work. Therefore, he needs a reward for doing hard work. I agree with this because no one works hard unless it benefits them in some way. People work to make money so they can survive. If a worker is garaunteed this, they have no reason to do the work.