Communist names in Brave New World

[truthaddict11]

I am reading it in my english class and have noticed some communist names like
Polly Trotsky
Benard Marx and
Lenin(a)

Was Huxley a Communist?

[ArgueEverything]

No, im pretty sure he wasn't. The characters you refer to are mostly portrayed in a negative light, if i recall correctly: Polly and Lenina are automatons, doing everything expected of them by society (promiscuity, taking the drugs etc). Bernard Marx is, of course, a bit different, and for much of the book he is the main protagonist, but in the end his selfish nature becomes apparent.

The real "hero", if there is any, is the savage, IMO.

Though not a commie, Huxley was quite obviously not a capitalist either. This is evidenced by the negative portayl of Henry Ford in the book (i found the "T" sign of the cross thing quite humourous).

[mentalbunny]

I really liked Brave New World, it's certainly different to all other books I've read. My village is mentioned in it actually, near the end. I live in a little place called Grayshott, i don't expect any of you will end up stalking me so I reckon it's safe to say that!

[Stray]

Do you think books about 'dysutopias' would be demoralizing to less experienced comrades?

[suffianr]

"Do you think books about 'dysutopias' would be demoralizing to less experienced comrades?"

No, because people should be encouraged to see both sides of the story, and evaluate their judgements on communism and socialism based on their own research, experience and ideas.

We cannot make the same mistakes as those made by others before us. Post-20th Century socialism must be progressive, tolerant and independent, otherwise we're no better in our cause than those before us who tried to carry the Revolution on their shoulders, but failed miserably in their attempts.

[I Bow 4 Che]

dammit so you reply to his brave new world thread but not mine...grar!!!!just like the fightclub threads...

[suffianr]

"dammit so you reply to his brave new world thread but not mine...grar!!!!just like the fightclub threads..."

Eh? Make sense, woman! :biggrin:

[mentalbunny]

Quote: from suffianr on 2:22 am on Sep. 25, 2002
"Do you think books about 'dysutopias' would be demoralizing to less experienced comrades?"

No, because people should be encouraged to see both sides of the story, and evaluate their judgements on communism and socialism based on their own research, experience and ideas.

We cannot make the same mistakes as those made by others before us. Post-20th Century socialism must be progressive, tolerant and independent, otherwise we're no better in our cause than those before us who tried to carry the Revolution on their shoulders, but failed miserably in their attempts.


Good answer, I agree in general, but I think that some people may become demoralised, I was a little scared by Brave New World but not as scared as I was by 1984.

I haven't read Brave New World in a while, but as far as I can remember it shows a world that is utterly pointless, your life is predestined by other humans, love is not encouraged, everything is shallow and meaningless, that is a world that so many seem to want to live in, it is good to have a book that shows how ugly the reality is.

[Gergely]

Brave New World and 1984 are one of the best books I've ever read. Especially 1984 shows how world could have been if Hitler or Stalin could have realized their imaginations.
One quote from Huxley:
"A civilized person is automatically Anit- American!"

for sure not a capitalist but I doubt that he was a Socialist either

[Corvus Corax]

I haven't read Brave New World but i hope to soon. I have read 1984 and found it brilliant and scary.

Enough to make you shudder...

[ComradeJunichi]

I attempted Brave New World in the summer between 6th and 7th grade...and ofcourse half way through I dropped the book. It was way too hard for me. I will pick it up again, once I go back to Korea - all my books are in Korea.

All I remember is making the classes, was it?, stupid. And when they put the children in a room, and brainwashing them. Like showing pictures of flowers and books and when the children go near them, loud sirens and etc. go off.

[Pete]

I read BraveNewWorld in 2 days. It was an amazing book. Yet I didn't pick up the names, as I was mostly ignorant and uncaring at the time (not to say taht I am enlightened and warmhearted now). I did see the negative portyal of Christ (the savages) and capitalism (the rest of the world), but the 'island' was interesting. Could that be the 'communism' aspect of the Brave new world?

[synthesis]

“One of the great attractions of patriotism — it fulfills our worst wishes. In the person of our nation we are able, vicariously, to bully and cheat. Bully and cheat, what’s more, with a feeling that we are profoundly virtuous.”
-Huxley

[Pete]

"Never before have so many been manipulated so much by so few"
-Huxley in Brave New World Revisited

[ovrproofmentalz]

the names in the book do not mean as much as one would think.... lenina, marx, trotsky aren't based squarely on these people... although huxley was a truely smart man, and interested in socialism, plus a deep hatred of the USA, he could have done it easily - and it would be more obvious....

the real hero in the book is the savage john, and in a way helmhotlz watson in the end...

i think he just put them there to spark interest...

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