119 A dystopian novel is a type of fiction set in an imagined future where life is controlled or oppressive. In a dystopian novel, the society often appears organised or perfect only on the surface, but in fact it limits freedom and human rights. Eugenics theories are ideas that claim society can be improved by controlling human reproduction. BRAVE NEW WORLD Brave New World is a dystopian novel written in 1931 by Aldous Huxley, an English novelist. It was published in 1932, during the interwar period, a time marked by rapid industrialisation, the rise of mass production, and growing trust in science and technology. Influenced by Fordism and early eugenics theories , the novel reflects anxieties about a future in which efficiency, stability, and technological progress might jeopardise individual freedom and human values. Plot The story is set in a futuristic World State where society is programmed for absolute stability. Human beings are artificially created in laboratories and conditioned from birth into predetermined social roles. Traditional concepts such as family, art, religion, and emotions have been eliminated. The plot follows Bernard Marx, an outsider who feels alienated from this conformist society, and John the Savage, who was raised outside the World State. When John is brought into this civilised world, his moral values clash with a society that prioritises pleasure, control, and conformity over spirit and individuality, ultimately leading to tragedy. 6 to jeopardise: mettere a rischio 270 EXTRA Main themes The novel explores several major themes, including the loss of individuality, the dangers of total social control, and the abuse of science. Technology in Brave New World is not neutral: it is a tool of power used to manipulate minds, suppress dissent, and eliminate suffering by eliminating choice. Happiness is manufactured through drugs and constant entertainment, creating an artificial sense of well-being. These themes are highly relevant today, especially in relation to modern technology and artificial intelligence. Like the conditioning in the novel, algorithms and AI systems increasingly influence behaviour, preferences, and decision-making through personalisation and data collection. While modern technologies promise convenience and efficiency, Huxley s novel warns of a future where comfort and automation will eventually reduce critical thinking, autonomy, and real human experience. Brave New World forces readers to reflect on the ethical limits of technological progress and to consider what being humans means in an age of intelligent machines. PAIR WORK Prepare an essay in which you include the following. Add an appropriate title. At least two positive effects of technology (for example: communication, education, healthcare, artificial intelligence, access to information, etc.) At least two negative effects (for example: addiction, loss of privacy, social isolation, dependence on technology, ethical issues related to AI, etc.) Give at least one example from everyday life