After my musings on Robinson Crusoe, I've realized that my next selection is actually very fitting. While Defoe appeared to be commenting on one individual's place in society and the ability to recognize those tangibles that should indeed hold importance, this next novel comments on society as a whole, the role, or lack thereof, of the individual in that society, and the direction that, back in the 30's the author believed the world was heading.
My next selection is Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. Originally published in 1932 this novel is one of many social commentaries written by Huxley. While I am familiar with Huxley, I do not know much about his background and plan, while reading this novel to, at least parenthetically, conduct a little research. I believe knowing a smattering about the author will assist me in formulating a well-rounded opinion of this novel.
I began reading this on Friday evening, the 27th of August. I'm through both the foreword and the first three chapters. I am reading the Bantam Books edition published sometime after 1967. This novel is certainly holding my interest as I am both disturbed and intrigued by the images Huxley is painting. The notion of creating individuals, born into specific places in society, by design is alarming, but at the same time I must pause and ask myself if this is not how society really does operate. Needless to say, by the end of each chapter my mind is flooded with outside thoughts which may make reading this novel a bit of a challenge.
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