Brave New World: A Dystopian Novel by Aldous Huxley, Lecture notes of Genetic Engineering

Download Brave New World: A Dystopian Novel by Aldous Huxley and more Lecture notes Genetic Engineering in PDF only on Docsity! WHS Book Rationale Title: Brave New World Author: Aldous Huxley ● Intended Audience English 10 Honors ● Brief summary and educational significance This futuristic novel takes place in the time of “Ford” when everyone is happy, because they are genetically, socially, and chemically set in place in society. Entering this “utopia” a non-socialized and non-genetically engineered “savage” calls into question the values of the culture. Characters must choose how to react to John “the Savage” and establish their characters and identities in relationship to society. ● Purpose of teaching the work and how it will be used o Teaching satire o Teaching science fiction o Relationship to contemporary society (how close did Huxley come in understanding possible future? How does technology affect us?) o The role of the individual in society ● Potential problems o Genetic engineering o Sexual scenes o Parodies of religion o Suicide o Drug use o Stereotyping of “savage” culture (Native American culture) ● Addressing potential problems The point of the novel is create tensions and explore a society based entirely on pleasure, materialism and genetic engineering. The situations described are outrageous in order to raise questions and possibilities for readers (a technique of science fiction writing). The irony of the work is its strength: students must explore whether having choice is worth the pain and suffering that human experience often entails.