Conditioning fails to control emotions from "summary" of Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
In the World State, conditioning is believed to be the ultimate solution to controlling emotions. Every individual is conditioned from a young age to fit into their predetermined societal roles and to suppress any feelings or thoughts that may disrupt the stability of society. However, despite the efforts put into this conditioning process, emotions still manage to surface and disrupt the facade of happiness and contentment that the World State strives to maintain. The citizens of the World State are conditioned to believe that they are content with their lives and that any deviation from this contentment is abnormal. They are taught to embrace promiscuity, consumerism, and mindless entertainment as a means of distraction from their true emotions. However, this conditioning only serves as a temporary band-aid, as emotions such as sadness, anger, and loneliness eventually resurface and cannot be fully suppressed. The failure of conditioning to control emotions is evident in the characters of John the Savage and Bernard Marx. Despite being conditioned from a young age, John is unable to conform to the norms of the World State due to his strong emotions and beliefs. His intense feelings of love, anger, and despair go against the conditioning he has received, leading to his eventual downfall in the society. Similarly, Bernard Marx struggles with his emotions and feelings of inadequacy, despite being conditioned to fit into his role as an Alpha. His constant feelings of insecurity and longing for acceptance showcase the limitations of conditioning in controlling one's innermost emotions and desires.- The concept that conditioning fails to control emotions serves as a critique of a society that prioritizes stability and conformity over individuality and genuine human emotions. It highlights the dangers of suppressing one's true feelings and the consequences of denying one's humanity in favor of societal expectations. Despite the efforts of the World State to condition its citizens, emotions remain an uncontrollable force that ultimately shapes the course of their lives.
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