A pill that guarantees happiness

“If anything should go wrong, there's soma.” Does this sentiment explored in Aldous Huxley’s classic novel Brave New World now reflect current attitudes towards legal drug use? Have we become a society of self-medicating pill poppers desperate to avoid extreme emotions? Ashlie Hodges examines drug use in our society.

Huxley’s novel challenges contemporary social values and expectations, while remaining relevant to the 21st century. The classic dystopian novel Brave New World was published in 1932 and is set in the year 2540. The title is a nod to William Shakespeare’s The Tempest, as the play directly features the words Brave New World. The message of taking legal drugs to avoid mental illness and emotions …show more content…
Linda puts herself in a Soma-induced coma, later dying as a result. Many of the Brave New World citizens, used the drug to dull their perception and awareness of their existence. Drugs are two-fisted medications. Linda now the “imperfect person” in a “perfect world” caved into social disapproval, allowing her to become a symbol of depression.

Brave New World is still challenging social values in the 21st century. Huxley’s writing makes readers question social norms and by using Linda as an example, we can see the dark, addictive side of legal and approved drugs.

Alarmingly, Beyond Blue Australia recognises that one in eight men suffer depression. Australia has 2,200 suicides a year, which eighty percent are counted to be men, equalling five per day. Its preached “tough” men do not show their emotions. Comparisons can be made to Bernard Marx whose alpha plus status and ability to have independent thoughts ostracises him from society. By revealing his ‘thoughts’ and ‘feelings’ Bernard is seen as a strange misfit and is ultimately exiled. Bernard is used as a symbol of how socially, masculinity is valued. Once a person displays emotions and strays from the social norms, they are rejected from society, and this attitude is still reflected in modern-day