BNW Blog II

Most members of the World State are happy however; John, Bernard and Helmholtz criticize the quality of their lives. In chapter six Bernard and Lenina are planning to go out and Bernard prefers to be alone rather than in a crowd. Bernard also stops, turns down the music, and takes appreciation for the sea; nature they were conditioned not to love. He questions Lenina on happiness, "Yes, Everybody's happy nowadays. We begin giving the children that at five. But wouldn't you like to be free to be happy in some other way, Lenina?" (91). This is what is wrong with the World State society. Everybody is happy; everybody belongs to everybody else. They are conditioned to avoid the truth and simply pop a soma when things get hard to handle. Such as when Lenina and Bernard go to the reservation and Lenina wishes to take soma after she sees a boy whipped. She can't handle the truth or the depth of the situation and simply avoids it by taking the soma.

There is a connection between the soma in Brave New World and our discussion on ecstasy. In the movie we viewed people were taking ecstasy to feel good but they were also taking it to become more comfortable with themselves and their environment; much like Lenina's situation at the reservation. The woman getting over her husband's death is using ecstasy because she can't handle the truth of the situation. She said her and her husband would take it together and discuss anything and everything because when you're on the drug you are more comfortable. Taking a drug in order to talk about your feelings is taking the easy way out. People need to learn how to be comfortable enough with themselves and their feelings so they can share with other people. Today there are too many substances being used to change mood, behavior and feelings. I understand that some people experience chemical imbalances and turn to anti-depressants but it would be hard for me to think a drug is shaping my behavior and mood. I would think I am who I am because of a drug? It doesn't seem right.