Friday, December 3, 2010

What could be one type of literary criticism for Brave New World?

Brave New World can be viewed from the following perspectives:


Feminist: how are women (Fanny, Lenina, and Linda) portrayed?  Why aren't they Alphas?  Why must they take mandatory birth control?  Does this lead to happiness and freedom?


Mythological / Archetypal: Who plays the role of the Hero, Loner, Temptress, Spirit, Benevolent Father, Comic Relief, Nemesis?  What do colors, shapes, numbers stand for?


Marxist: What is the role of socio-economic class system?  Why do the Alphas exploit the lower castes?  Is there an unequal distribution of labor?


Freudian / Psychoanalytic: Does John suffer from repression and Oedipal guilt?  Is his suicide the result of his guilt over having a relationship with Lenina, a younger version of his mother?


Existential: how does the society limit the choices and freedom of the individual?  What role does individuality have in the face of cloning and genetic engineering?


Historical: What are the meanings behind all the names, allusions, and references to science in the novel?  What does Huxely believe is the role of science and technology in government?

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