Brave New World
Aldous Huxley
Published in 1932, Aldous Huxley's dystopian tale, Brave New World, is a critique of politics of the day, and society in general. It has been banned, burned and criticized since its inception, and has never been more timely.
Need some help getting started? No problem, check out the video below, but remember, there is no substitute for reading the novel :)
Writing Projects:
Brave New World Journal:
Every week you will be given a prompt in class and time to write. Keep your rough drafts. Rough drafts should be between 1-2 pages handwritten. You will edit, type and compile your rough drafts into a beautiful final draft quality journal. Create a cover for your work. This can be a plain, professional MLA style cover page, or you can get artistic.
Week 1 Prompt: Discuss the ramifications of designing humans. What harm is there in the Fordian system? What benefits?
Week 2 Prompt: Discuss Soma, what is it used for and what is a modern day equivalent?
Week 3 Prompt: Compare and contract John and Bernard. In what ways have both men been 'othered' by society?
Week 4 Prompt: The sight of Linda is shocking, even horrifying to the Fordians, why? Is there a real life equivalent to their reaction to her appearance? Why do the Fordians fear Linda's appearance?
Week 5 Prompt: Linda mistakes John for Pope` in her dying moments. What does this say about he relationship with her son? Is this lack of attachment her fault or a fault of the Fordian environment?
Week 6 Prompt: Discuss the Cyprus Experiment.
Every week you will be given a prompt in class and time to write. Keep your rough drafts. Rough drafts should be between 1-2 pages handwritten. You will edit, type and compile your rough drafts into a beautiful final draft quality journal. Create a cover for your work. This can be a plain, professional MLA style cover page, or you can get artistic.
Week 1 Prompt: Discuss the ramifications of designing humans. What harm is there in the Fordian system? What benefits?
Week 2 Prompt: Discuss Soma, what is it used for and what is a modern day equivalent?
Week 3 Prompt: Compare and contract John and Bernard. In what ways have both men been 'othered' by society?
Week 4 Prompt: The sight of Linda is shocking, even horrifying to the Fordians, why? Is there a real life equivalent to their reaction to her appearance? Why do the Fordians fear Linda's appearance?
Week 5 Prompt: Linda mistakes John for Pope` in her dying moments. What does this say about he relationship with her son? Is this lack of attachment her fault or a fault of the Fordian environment?
Week 6 Prompt: Discuss the Cyprus Experiment.
Chapter Writing Tasks:
Each week, you will be assigned a prompt focused on a specific span of chapters from the novel. Your task is to write one concise, focused paragraph (6-8 sentences) that answers the call of the question and uses textual evidence to support your response. Next, you peer edit each others' work. In class we will trade papers and you will edit your classmates. Outside of class, anyone can do this for you: parents, siblings, grandparents, friends. Read and edit each others' work looking for mechanical errors and also content and support issues. Last step is to write a final draft of your edited paragraph. Turn in both rough and final drafts for full credit.
Chapters 1-3 Writing Task:
How do the values in Huxley's world in regard to promiscuity and social interactions/relationships differ from today's world?
Chapters 4-6 Writing Task:
Discuss Bernard and Lenina's trip to the New Mexico Reservation with the lens of cultural tourism. Is their visit exploitive to the people of the reservation or does it work to build empathy? Defend your position.
Chapters 7-9 Writing Task:
Fordians have Soma, Malapais has mescal - is the urge to sedate or numb the senses universal? What makes the risk/reward worth it?
Chapters 10-12 Writing Task:
What are the core values of the Fordian society? How does their lifestyle reflect these values?
Chapters 13-15 Writing Task:
Discuss John's meltdown at the hospital. Does he have the right to make the Fordians 'free' as he terms it? Does he have an obligation to do so? Take a stance on his actions, was John in the right? Or wrong?
Chapters 16-18 Writing Task:
What is the Iceberg Model of Society that Mustapha Mond describes? What is his logic for this analogy? How is it relevant to today's society?
Brave New World Essay:
Examine the attachment for details. Everything will be discussed in class
Due TBD
We will have a rough draft check on TBD,. Your rough draft does not need to be 100% complete but needs to demonstrate an outline for a selected essay topic and a plan of attack.
Due TBD
We will have a rough draft check on TBD,. Your rough draft does not need to be 100% complete but needs to demonstrate an outline for a selected essay topic and a plan of attack.
bnw_essay.docx | |
File Size: | 17 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Character Analysis
Character Profiles:
Throughout the unit, we will do several character profiles. Choose from the following list according to class instruction:
Bernard
Lenina
John
Linda
Helmholtz Watson
The Director
Mustapha Mond
For each character, you will complete the following tasks:
Physical Description
3-5 sentences, in your own words
2 quotes from the reading to support your writing
Personality
3-5 sentences, in your own words
2 quotes from the reading to support your writing
Motivation: What makes this character tick? What is their driving force?
3-5 sentences, in your own words
1 quote from the reading to support your writing
Throughout the unit, we will do several character profiles. Choose from the following list according to class instruction:
Bernard
Lenina
John
Linda
Helmholtz Watson
The Director
Mustapha Mond
For each character, you will complete the following tasks:
Physical Description
3-5 sentences, in your own words
2 quotes from the reading to support your writing
Personality
3-5 sentences, in your own words
2 quotes from the reading to support your writing
Motivation: What makes this character tick? What is their driving force?
3-5 sentences, in your own words
1 quote from the reading to support your writing
Supplemental Readings:
The following reading excerpts are available in the Everbind Anthology edition of Brave New World, otherwise they will be provided for you.
"All Summer in a Day" by Ray Bradbury Pg. 326
read the short story and write a 1 one page analysis: how is Margot 'othered' by the children? Why? Is this compulsion to isolate those we see as different an inherent part of human nature?
"Chapter 3 Revisted" by Aldous Huxley Pg. 286
This thoughtful analysis of the exposition and context of the novel asks the reader to examine the bigger thematic issues in the text. Read the selection and write a 1 page analysis explaining how the concept of "quis cutodiet custodes" applies to the novel as well as to the historical/social context.
"Eye of the Beholder" Twilight Zone Pg. 370
This fascinating script from the original Twilight Zone series examines differing views on beauty and acceptability. Read the selection and write a 1pg analysis comparing/contrasting the selection to the novel and its rigid idea of beauty and youth.
"Current Issues About Drug Use" various authors Pg. 312-325
Read the connected selections about modern drug use and addiction issues. Write 1pg analyzing the novel's role of Soma and Mescal and how that compares/contrasts to current mindsets about mood altering drugs - both legal and illegal.
"Excerpt on Death and Dying" by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross Pg. 356-369
This excerpt from Kubler-Ross' groundbreaking work on death and dying discusses the stages of grief and acceptance as well as examines mindsets concerning death and dying. Read this excerpt and write 1pg that synthesizes Kubler-Ross' work and examines Linda's death/John's reaction.
"The Packaged Soul" By Vance Packard Pgs. 414-423
This commentary on politics and society directly relate not only to the dystopian world of the novel but also other politically charged pieces of literature such as Orwell's 1984, among others. Read the selection and write 1pg that discusses the social issues addressed in Packard's essay and how they are demonstrated in Huxley's novel.
"All Summer in a Day" by Ray Bradbury Pg. 326
read the short story and write a 1 one page analysis: how is Margot 'othered' by the children? Why? Is this compulsion to isolate those we see as different an inherent part of human nature?
"Chapter 3 Revisted" by Aldous Huxley Pg. 286
This thoughtful analysis of the exposition and context of the novel asks the reader to examine the bigger thematic issues in the text. Read the selection and write a 1 page analysis explaining how the concept of "quis cutodiet custodes" applies to the novel as well as to the historical/social context.
"Eye of the Beholder" Twilight Zone Pg. 370
This fascinating script from the original Twilight Zone series examines differing views on beauty and acceptability. Read the selection and write a 1pg analysis comparing/contrasting the selection to the novel and its rigid idea of beauty and youth.
"Current Issues About Drug Use" various authors Pg. 312-325
Read the connected selections about modern drug use and addiction issues. Write 1pg analyzing the novel's role of Soma and Mescal and how that compares/contrasts to current mindsets about mood altering drugs - both legal and illegal.
"Excerpt on Death and Dying" by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross Pg. 356-369
This excerpt from Kubler-Ross' groundbreaking work on death and dying discusses the stages of grief and acceptance as well as examines mindsets concerning death and dying. Read this excerpt and write 1pg that synthesizes Kubler-Ross' work and examines Linda's death/John's reaction.
"The Packaged Soul" By Vance Packard Pgs. 414-423
This commentary on politics and society directly relate not only to the dystopian world of the novel but also other politically charged pieces of literature such as Orwell's 1984, among others. Read the selection and write 1pg that discusses the social issues addressed in Packard's essay and how they are demonstrated in Huxley's novel.
Art of Dystopia: Extra Readings
The New York Times Book Review and Internationally Acclaimed Author Margaret Atwood offer their insights on the relevance and importance of Brave New World, 1984 and other dystopian works.
Read these articles, and write a one page synthesis essay: why is Huxley's novel important and relevant for today's readers? Use both articles (and any other sources you choose) to prove your point.
The New York Times Book Review and Internationally Acclaimed Author Margaret Atwood offer their insights on the relevance and importance of Brave New World, 1984 and other dystopian works.
Read these articles, and write a one page synthesis essay: why is Huxley's novel important and relevant for today's readers? Use both articles (and any other sources you choose) to prove your point.
margaret_atwood_brave_new_world.docx | |
File Size: | 745 kb |
File Type: | docx |
which_dystopian_novel_got_it_right.docx | |
File Size: | 68 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Digital Media Projects
Utopia Project
In groups, you will create a digital media project using the medium of your choice (emaze, prezi, powtoon, etc...) that addresses the following requirements:
Impetus: what caused this Utopia to form?
Name: name your brave new world!
Flag: create a flag that represents your new world
Aspects of Society. choose at least 8/10 of the listed aspects and explain your society's position
We will present via Gallery Walk TBD
Final Products must be uploaded to Schoology TBD
Full assignment description is available in the document below. Check out the powerpoint for further explanation and a sample Utopia.
In groups, you will create a digital media project using the medium of your choice (emaze, prezi, powtoon, etc...) that addresses the following requirements:
Impetus: what caused this Utopia to form?
Name: name your brave new world!
Flag: create a flag that represents your new world
Aspects of Society. choose at least 8/10 of the listed aspects and explain your society's position
We will present via Gallery Walk TBD
Final Products must be uploaded to Schoology TBD
Full assignment description is available in the document below. Check out the powerpoint for further explanation and a sample Utopia.
bnw_utopia_project.docx | |
File Size: | 12 kb |
File Type: | docx |
brave-new-world-project.pptx | |
File Size: | 1092 kb |
File Type: | pptx |