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Essay / Alienation in Brave New World Analysis - 1147
The first look at freedom is soma dependence in BNW society. John wants freedom so he refuses to take soma; he feels that this takes away his freedom. This refusal reinforces the alienation felt by John and shows the values of BNW society. In Brave New World, soma is used to escape reality, to feel only pure happiness and pleasure. However, in John's world, soma takes away his freedom, his freedom to think, to feel pain and joy. This contrast of values shows how different the value placed on freedom is in the society of Brave New World. Second, throughout the book, freedom is manifested through John's alienation. The value of freedom in BNW is demonstrated through conditioning. “Lethal conditioning begins at eighteen months. Each child spends two mornings a week in a hospital for the dying. All the best toys are kept there and they receive chocolate cream on the days they die. (Huxley, 142) In BNW society, freedom of thought is very little valued by conditioning children to think the way they are taught. Finally, BNW's lack of freedom values manifests itself after John throws all the soma on the train. He speaks to Mustapha Mond to discuss his outburst. “But this is the price we have to pay for stability.” (Huxley, 194) John believes that being free is very important to being human. Unfortunately, in BNW society, freedom has no importance. In the quote, Mustapha Mond explains that this is the price they pay. This means that they sacrifice freedom for happiness. In summary, it is evident that through John's alienation and opposing values, it is clearly demonstrated that the society of BNW places no value on