In Chapter Six, Bernard represents the point of view that individuals do not need to use soma and be conditioned in order to be themselves or happy. He feels that he doesn't need to be apart of the social body to be content. When talking to Lenina while looking at the ocean, Bernard says, “It makes me feel as though...as though I were more me...Not just a cell in the social body” (Huxley, 90). From this quote one can infer that Bernard does not like the idea of being forced to become somebody that he is not, just to satisfy society's needs. He does not want to use soma because is it makes him feel like somebody else. When Lenina offers him soma, he says, “I’d rather be myself. Myself and nasty. Not somebody else, however jolly” (Huxley, 89).
His understanding bothers him; however, he believes it sets him on a pedestal. Bernard looks down upon others while he still conforms to society making him an outsider to his world.
Another way Bernard conforms to the World State yet questions himself is through sex and happiness. Bernard enjoys spending time alone, which the World State doesn’t really allow since being alone allows them to be in their own thoughts. But, that’s Bernard’s happy place, he doesn’t need soma to take whenever he isn’t feeling well. He tries to best he can to not having meaningless sex and to take doses of soma. But, the pressure of Lenina leads him into conforming to the normalities and taking part in these rituals.
54) Soma, was the drug of choice in Huxley’s novel. This drug seemed to have all of the same effects as antidepressants do in our society. Soma even gave people the false idea that one pill, would cure all negativity in their lives. However if we re-read the quote at the beginning of this paragraph, we come to realize the drug doesn’t physically take the problems away, it only gives a false sense of happiness and security for the time being. In the novel there are some instances that occur when characters become extremely unhappy, vunerable, and even suicidal.
From where?” (Ch. 7, pg. 117) As fascinated as Bernard sounds after meeting the English speaking savage, it is not the reason readers may think it is for. Earlier in the book, Bernard gives us the impression that he’s just a frustrated, lonely man with the desire to become close to Lenina and to share intellectual conversations with her. But, after so much time of being isolated, drowning within his own frustration and the lack of understanding from everyone around him, Bernard he's, in a way, given up on the idea of having a relationship just as humans would if they weren't controlled in such a society. Bernard is fed up with being alone, and as the Alpha-plus man he is, he won’t settle for being a lonely man anymore.
Four months with Henry Foster, without having another man, why he would be furious if he knew” ( Aldous Huxley 37). Lenina has learned through observation that to fit in or be normal, she has to be promiscuous. Bernard Marx who, Lenina at one point goes out with believes that you should only have one partner at a time, because of this he seen as an outcast to society. Lenina recognizes that unless she is promiscuous, she will turn out like Bernard Marx, alone and disrespected.
In this novel, Aldous Huxley wants to point out the danger that the development of the technology will bring. When I first read the novel, I was skeptical about the setting he made because I believe that there is no reason to vilify the science and technology since our current society benefits a lot from them. However, as I go through the novel, I realize that the science is not the point only. Through the advent of John, Huxley stresses importance of the literature. It is an important moment for me, as I understand why lots of people praise for this novel.
They can not see what damage they do by not instituting reality and human condition. By taking emotion away, the citizens become little more than machines. Likewise, the lack of emotion results in the society not being able to experience friendship, desires, or mistakes – all of the items provided by human condition – leading to a stale society being snuffed out from no change. Notably, Bernard has an experience that should leave him satisfied and excited, but instead he feels “miserably isolated” and has a “dead satiety” (Huxley 57).
Social stability is very important in the new world; they think without it everything will fall apart. So they use soma to make sure nobody is falling out if line. For example, if someone is out of control (you) can give them soma and then they will calm down. Therefore, the drug can be used as a tool to enforce order. Soma can also be used to help people forget about thinks that is hurtful to them or the society.
By this time the soma had begun to work. Eyes shone, cheeks were flushed, the inner light of universal benevolence broke out on every face in happy, friendly smiles. Even Bernard felt himself a little melted.” Bernard feels himself "a little melted" from the soma, but he still remains remarkably normal during his Solidarity Service. Body Paragraph 3: Topic: Conditioning "
Once again they are mentioning that if you are ever (and that’ s EVER) sad, down , troubled or whatever, soma is there for you to make you happy. Soma is the main use to solve the issues of the people. Something else that portrays the use of Soma very well is when Lenina and Bernard are on their date and Bernard is discussing to her that he does not like the way their society works and starts talking about being “more
Soma is a fictional drug in the novel Brave New World by Aldous Huxley used to provide a few hours of happiness with little to no side effects. Soma is used throughout the novel as both a tool for storytelling, and a symbol of hollow happiness. Huxley utilizes the drug Soma to challenge drug use and religion in the modern world by presenting it as an alternative to religion and true happiness.. Soma is an integral part of the fictional society created in Brave New World, acting as a temporary release for the citizens who take it quite often.
In the quote located on page 91, Bernard says ¨Even Epsilons are useful! So am I, and I damned well wish I weren't.¨ This is a sign that he wishes that he were not a needed member of society in order to truly be free and live the life that he wants. This in fact scares Lenina (a normal member of society), because she has never heard of anyone wanting to be free from society because everyone is ¨Happy¨. Bernard realizes that practically all citizens are brainwashed by Mustapha Mond and the drug which all members of society are given,
In Brave New World, Aldous Huxley uses soma to serve the purpose of presenting the theme of the pursuit of happiness through drugs. The purpose that soma serves in the novel is that it is a drug that is described and illustrated as the “perfect drug” with no negative effects. The characters in the novel start using it as an escape for unhappiness or dissatisfaction and the happiness that is reached with the drug eventually becomes a trap and it has an addiction effect which leads to people constantly using the drug to reach happiness. Huxley illustrates soma as the “perfect drug” in Brave New World.
In the novel, Brave New World, soma is a drug meant to escape emotions like pain, sadness, and depression. The drug represents the overall well-being of people, so they are always happy and content. In modern society, alcohol functions as soma-like, distorting your reality and making you forget your problems. Another parallel to soma is the societal pressure to drink from advertisements to social pressure. Similarly, the government of Brave New World pushes the usage of soma intensely and the people feel this pressure to consume this drug.
Which was dangerous because she likes him. The tone I use is informal and hopes to reach school students and adults audience. I use simple language to make Lenina’s ideas, feelings, and desires easier to understand. For example, it contains phrases that express her constant changes of humor like, “Soma controls me, it gives me a superficial happiness…” or “I