Phase 3, Prompt 1

Humanity as defined by The Webster Dictionary is “the quality or state of being humane.” The Webster Dictionary defines humane as “marked by compassion, sympathy, or consideration for humans and animals.” Based off of the definitions of humanity and humane, the savage reservation has more of these qualities than the London civilization. The savage reservation is not only more “human” than the London civilization it is also depicts what humanity strives for, evolution.

            To show how the savage reservation is more “human” than the London civilization, there are some more terms that need to be defined. Civilization is the first term that not only needs an actual definition defined but also how the savage reservation defines civilization and how the people of London define civilization. The Webster Dictionary defines a civilization as “the stage of cultural development at which writing and the keeping of records is attained.” While there is not much information on the literacy of the savage reservation, we can infer that at some point everyone on the reservation could read. This is apparent when Pope brought John one of William Shakespeare’s books (Huxley 122). While not all of the savage reservation is literate now, if they had never been “civilized” William Shakespeare’s books would not have been there. Another point to make is that the savage reservation is “civilized” in a different sense. The members of the savage reservation all know stories and traditions passed down amongst generations. The people of London view civilization as everything is controlled and nothing can go wrong. During Bernard’s trip to the reservation, he reveals to the readers “a mother, and all this dirt, and gods, and old age, and disease… it is almost inconceivable” (Huxley 116). The people of London have everything controlled. There is no dirt impeding their cities, there are no mothers or fathers, and old age is a notion that none of the citizens understand.

The concepts of old age, mothers and fathers, and William Shakespeare are all considered uncivilized and “savage” to the London citizens. Another important term to define here is savage. The Webster Dictionary defines savage as “not domesticated or under human control.” This definition correlates to the London citizens’ definition of savage. An ironic point to make, however, is that while the savage reservation is not under human control, there is a fence surrounding the reservation and guards at the entrance. To Linda and the rest of the citizens of London, the idea of living in their own in pueblos, worshiping gods, bearing and raising children, and partaking in monogamous relationships is “savage.” Linda tells John “I looked at it, and it seemed to be full of nonsense. Uncivilized” (Huxley 123). Linda is referring to the William Shakespeare book that was given to John. Along with the above, the London citizens also view books as “savage.” To them, books are instruction manuals about how to do their jobs and every other text is nonsense (Huxley 123). It is also important to note how John views the London civilization when he gets there. John was raised on the savage reservation and follows the social norms present on the reservation. Upon arriving in London, John is appalled by the number of twins, death conditioning, and how everyone belongs to everyone else. To John, the London civilization is “savage”.  Huxley’s two civilizations in Brave New World are two extremes in which both view the other as “savage.”

As mentioned above, the two civilizations presented in Huxley’s novel view each other as “savage.” The question is which civilization is more “human” the savage reservation or London? In my opinion, the savage reservation is more “human” than the London civilization. The residents of the savage reservation live off the land, engage in monogamous relationships, and continue to bear and raise children all parts of the evolutionary process. The London civilization has removed all of the “unnecessary” tasks associated with living. For example, “ninety six human beings grow where only one grew before. Progress” (Huxley 17). The London civilization has removed evolution and in its place has produced clones that function based off instruction manuals and soma. Being “human” does not include manipulating embryos for the worse and removing evolution.  When it comes to the question above, I still believe the savage reservation is more “human” because evolution has not been altered.

“Civilization.” Def. 1. Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, 2012. Web. 14 Oct. 2012.

“Humane.” Def. 1. Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, 2012. Web. 14 Oct. 2012.

"Humanity." Def. 1. Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, 2012. Web. 14 Oct. 2012.

Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World And Brave New World Revisited. New York:

HarperCollins, 2004. Print.

“Savage.” Def. 1a. Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, 2012. Web. 14 Oct. 2012.