Brave New World: Hypnopaedic Slogans :: essays research papers

Sleep teaching and mind control: hypnotism techniques used for manipulation and power over the individual. Hypnotism is not widely promoted in our society as formal education; yet, it lingers on the horizon. In Huxley's Brave New World, hypnopaedia is used to promote economic stability and control emotions of the inhabitants living in England. The economy-oriented society relies on hypnopaedia to keep consumers eager to spend by them with catchy, consume-driven phrases. For example, one slogan tells people that they "do love flying. [They] . . .do love flying" (33). A resident of London likes being high, using helicopters for all transportation, and the feeling of being safe in an indestructible machine. The gas-guzzling machines cost enormous amounts of money to keep fueled, and so the gasoline market goes up. In addition, the people believe that "ending is better than mending" (35). One is taught to do away with items instead of trying to fix them. Society encourages purchasing new, always buying more and more so as to boost the economy. Furthermore, children are taught that "the more stitches the less riches" (33). Stitching and other repairing of any kind are frowned upon, because it does not cost anything, rather, it saves money. The more one attempts to mend and keep rather than throw aw ay, the less money in circulation throughout the country and thus, the economy suffers. The prosperity of this money cycle is valued highly, and so these three jingles are sleep-taught to all. Hypnopaedic slogans focus also on encouraging emotionless bliss. For example, Lenina often says "a gramme is better than a damn" (37). Society teaches one to take a gram of soma, the drug with no after affect, to get rid of problems or worries. When people choose soma instead of dealing with problems, it promotes emotional stability throughout the nation. In addition, people learn that "one cubic centimeter cures ten gloomy sentiments"(60). One is supposed to take soma instead of feeling bad or upset about anything, which can distract the mind from other, more important matters. Instability in the workplace occurs when one has emotional stress that can take away from the quality and quantity of the work done. Furthermore, people ramble off that "was and will make me ill. I take a gramme and only am" (29). It is taught that the past and future do not matter, focusing only on the present is the correct way to be.