WOMEN IN A NIGHTMARISH UTOPIA: THE EFFECT OF TECHNOLOGY IN BRAVE NEW WORLD

Abstract

In Brave New World, Aldous Huxley shows us a society in which technological advances have changed the entirety of human life on earth. The opening of the novel does not strike the reader as dystopian and certainly neither does the title. But as we go on, we find that free thinking is limited or non-existent by the manipulation of scientific advances like hypnopedia and genetic conditioning. On one hand, Huxley paints a picture-perfect society that is at the height of civilization with genetic and scientific advances. On the other hand, he shows us the nightmarish utopia by the lack of moral values in the society. Utopia turns into dystopia when we witness the inferior role of women and the humiliation of the intellectual. In addition, the natural process of childbirth is controlled in test tubes. Furthermore, there is no place for religion, literature, and family values. Lastly, Huxley warns the readers about what technology devoid of value could do to human beings. What is more, is the effect of technology on women which is portrayed through the image of utopia turned into dystopia: A society that mandates promiscuity in the name of civic duty in addition to the removal of the female body from childbirth. Dystopian literature is by nature critical; hence, women's inferiority along with the misuse of a gendered approach to technology highlights toxic patriarchy in the society. It shows Huxley's warning about the destructive effect of dystopia on women.