Brave New World Sometimes very advanced societies overlook the necessities of the individual. In the book Brave New World, Aldous Huxley creates two distinct societies: the Savages and the Fordians. The Fordians are technologically sophisticated, unlike the Savages. However, it is obvious that, overall, the Savages have more practical abilities, have more, complicated, ideals, and are much more advanced emotionally, which all help the individual to grow. The Savage Reservation provides more opportunities for personal growth than does the Fordian society.
Throughout the story, it is shown how the Fordian society is much more advanced technologically than the Savage Reservation. Because the Reservation is not fully equipped with well-developed machinery to do all their work for them, they must learn to do it themselves. Unlike the Fordians, the Savages are taught functional skills, such as stitching up simple tears and weaving. In the story Mitsima, an old man from the reservation, teaches John the Savage how to make a clay pot, using nothing but a lump of clay and his own two hands. This is a very practical and useful tool.
The Savages are taught to cook for themselves, and to clean for themselves. These teachings help the individual to grow practically. The Savages also bestow good ideals in their people from which they can learn, understand, and grow. One of the most important things that the Savages are taught is self-control. The Whipping Ceremony is a good example of this. In this ceremony a young man was whipped to death in front of a large audience and throughout it he “made no sound[and] walked on at the same slow, steady pace” (97). The man is taught that to show his strength he must use the uttermost limits of his self-control.
They are also taught self-control in how they are prohibited free sex. They must learn restraint through their lust and desires. It is shown how capable the Savages are when controlling themselves in chapter 13. Lenina, whom John loves and desires more than anything in the world, is proclaiming herself to John, and yet he restrains himself because they are not married. The Savages are also taught to be responsible. For instance, in families the parents must care for, love, and nurture their children as best they can in order for them to develop.
An example of this is how Linda takes full responsibility for raising John, and even though she has very few skills, she teaches him to read. Another thing that the Savages provide for their people is a past from which to learn. For example the old men in the pueblo tell stories of how the world began. They said that “the seed of men and of all creatures, the seed of the sun and the seed of the earth” is how the world was created (109). The Savages can learn from this story not to take advantage of things. Things must be tended to for growth, like seeds.
This story also gives people the impression that all things are equal. By saying that no matter how big or important something is, it started as a seed, and requires the same type of care, it is like saying that everything is equally important and precious. Self-control, strength, responsibility, and history are only three of the ideals Savages are taught to help them grow. The Savages are not withheld from feeling emotion, and are encouraged to deal with them, rather than ignore them. This is shown is the contempt the Savage boys show towards John because he is different, and the pain John feels.
Even though these are not happy emotions they are still emotions which the Savages can use to express themselves. These emotions can be used as learning experiences and certainly help all of them to grow. The Savages are also taught to express love. This is chiefly shown in the relationship between John and Linda. For example, when the angry women come to hurt Linda, John tries to protect her and ends up himself getting hurt. Their love for each other is also shown in how Linda reconciles with John after hurting him when she “suddenly put her arms round him and kissed him again and again” (107).
All of these emotions contribute to someone’s personality and help him or her to grow as a feeling person. Since the industrial revolution, human kind has placed great emphasis on technological change. The Savage society teaches us that pre-industrial values may have as much to offer us as modern technological society does, and possibly more. The so-called Savage society is far more realistic, and shows stronger personal values than the more superficial Fordian society. Above all, the ‘Savages’ can express their inner soul far more effectively than their industrial counterparts.