1. Why is Lenina so disturbed by Bernard’s criticism to the World State even though she knows that she is a victim to sleep conditioning? Why does she accept the fact that she is subject to the government's opinion? Why doesn't Lenina want to be free from the conditioning?
2. Why does John refer to the World State as a “brave new world?” How does this apply to the theme of citizen control, even though he had not visited the World State at this point?
3. What does false happiness mean? Do you think people in the World State can know happiness if they do not know pain? Do you think the savage or the people of the World State are happier? How does this apply to our lives? Explain.
4. Why is the invention of the Ford Model T so significant? Describe the use of “Oh my Ford” and its significance to religion, society, etc.
5. Why do controllers, such as Mustapha, fear emotions? Why does he not accept family relationships or love?
6. Why is Lenina so afraid of old people? Disease? Pain? How does this relate to the theme of government control?
7. What is the significance of sex? How does it apply to the theme of government control? Why are people encouraged to have sex, but not allowed to reproduce?
8. What makes John different from all the other savages? How will he fit in at the World State? Is John an outsider in both societies, or does he belong to both societies? Why?
9. How are John and Linda treated differently? Why might they be treated this way? What is the significance of their treatment? Does formerly living in the World State effect people’s view on Linda?
10. How does Bernard change in the second half of the book? What is he like when he first arrives back to the World State? When John refuses to go to the party? How does his dynamic characterization apply to the control of the World State?
11. What is the significance of the children in the hospital? How does John respond to their behavior? How does the nurse respond to John’s behavior? Who do you think is morally right? Why?
12. What is the significance of Shakespeare’s play? Why is Mustupha Mond so against this type of work? How do the plays defy the rules of the World State? What is the significance of censorship?
13. Why does Mustupha Mond dislike solitude? Why does John say London was suffering because the people could never escape communal activities? How does religion apply to solitude?
14. What is the meaning of Helmholtz’ rhymes? Why is he punished for his teachings? When banished to the islands, how does Helmholtz respond compared to Bernard? Why might this be? Use evidence from the novel to support your claims.
15. What makes this novel a satire? Which aspects of the novel does Aldous Huxley fear? What does this book say about our society? Can you find any similarities in the World State and our society? How are we similar to John? How are we similar to Lenina?
2. Why does John refer to the World State as a “brave new world?” How does this apply to the theme of citizen control, even though he had not visited the World State at this point?
3. What does false happiness mean? Do you think people in the World State can know happiness if they do not know pain? Do you think the savage or the people of the World State are happier? How does this apply to our lives? Explain.
4. Why is the invention of the Ford Model T so significant? Describe the use of “Oh my Ford” and its significance to religion, society, etc.
5. Why do controllers, such as Mustapha, fear emotions? Why does he not accept family relationships or love?
6. Why is Lenina so afraid of old people? Disease? Pain? How does this relate to the theme of government control?
7. What is the significance of sex? How does it apply to the theme of government control? Why are people encouraged to have sex, but not allowed to reproduce?
8. What makes John different from all the other savages? How will he fit in at the World State? Is John an outsider in both societies, or does he belong to both societies? Why?
9. How are John and Linda treated differently? Why might they be treated this way? What is the significance of their treatment? Does formerly living in the World State effect people’s view on Linda?
10. How does Bernard change in the second half of the book? What is he like when he first arrives back to the World State? When John refuses to go to the party? How does his dynamic characterization apply to the control of the World State?
11. What is the significance of the children in the hospital? How does John respond to their behavior? How does the nurse respond to John’s behavior? Who do you think is morally right? Why?
12. What is the significance of Shakespeare’s play? Why is Mustupha Mond so against this type of work? How do the plays defy the rules of the World State? What is the significance of censorship?
13. Why does Mustupha Mond dislike solitude? Why does John say London was suffering because the people could never escape communal activities? How does religion apply to solitude?
14. What is the meaning of Helmholtz’ rhymes? Why is he punished for his teachings? When banished to the islands, how does Helmholtz respond compared to Bernard? Why might this be? Use evidence from the novel to support your claims.
15. What makes this novel a satire? Which aspects of the novel does Aldous Huxley fear? What does this book say about our society? Can you find any similarities in the World State and our society? How are we similar to John? How are we similar to Lenina?