Thursday, August 21, 2008
Art in the Huxleyan Society
In the society portrayed by Aldous Huxley in Brave New World, why does art not exist? I believe that art does not exist because without the pain and suffering of real life, art is not possible. In chapter 16, Mustapha Mond explains to Helmholtz, John the Savage, and Bernard Marx why art was taken out and sacrificed from their culture. "You've got to choose between happiness and what people used to call high art. We've sacrificed the high art." (220) This statement can be interpreted in several ways. I believe that this is showing that art can not exist in this "Brave New World" because art is based upon pain, suffering, and the realities of life. In a world full of simply happiness and joy, art is not possible. Also, the culture depicted in Brave New World was willing to give up art in order to achieve eternal happiness. This can prove Postman's point showing that our craving and hunger to be entertained and always happy and joyful can lead to the fall of our society. How else can this be interpreted? Why do you think art is non-existant in Huxley's "Brave New" culture?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
The art that The Controller is talking about in this particular part isn't just painting, but art in general. This includes writing, poetry and many other things.
The banning of art has partly to do with the fact that, as you said, much of it is expressed as pain and suffering and the deal of everyday life, however much of art is also displayed by other emotions that the "utopia" does not want present. Emotions like passion, love, lust and longing are among those that are not wanted in this society. The presence of these emotions would generate the "one man for one woman" belief that is not accepted in this specific culture. To generate this would also generate gealosy, which in turn would lead to violence which is basically the instability that the government fears.
Also, art promotes free thinking and expression that is also not wanted. To have individuals capable of thinking outside the box is not the ideal formula for this society. These "free thinkers" are sent to islands, like Bernard and Helmholtz were.
These are unfortunate things to have gotten rid of, but Mond believes (as the society does) that ridding themselves of these was the only way to make progress as a society.
Wow, no one has brought this up before...a fresh idea! How...refreshing! And I agree with you both -- art is controversial, emotional, and challenging. Art is subversive and often upsetting. Art is confrontational. Art does not respect boundaries. Art does not bow down to kiss the boot of power, or lick the hand that holds the rule book. Art will not submit.
Unless, of course, you are Thomas Kincaid or a franchisee.
Hey! It's my birthday.
Post a Comment