A Comparison Contrast of A Brave New World and 198

A Comparison Contrast of A Brave New World and 198 Essay 4Although many similarities exist between Aldous Huxleys A Brave New World and George Orwells 1984, the works books though they deal with similar topics, are more dissimilar than alike. A Brave New World is a novel about the struggle of Bernard Marx, who rejects the tenants of his society when he discovers that he is not truly happy. 1984 is the story of Winston who finds forbidden love within the hypocrisy of his society. In both cases, the main character is in quiet rebellion against his government which is eventually found to be in vain. Huxley wrote A Brave New World in the third person so that the reader could be allotted a more comprehensive view of the activities he presents. His characters are shallow and cartoon-like (Astrachan) in order to better reflect the society in which they are entrapped. In this society traditional notions of love and what ideally should come out of it have long been disregarded and are now despised, Mother, monogamy, romance. High spurts the fountain; fierce and foamy the wild jet. The urge has but a single outlet. (Huxley 41) The comparison to a wild jet is intended to demonstrate the inherent dangers in these activities. Many of the Brave New Worlds social norms are intended to save its citizens from anything unpleasant through depriving them of the opportunity to miss anything overly pleasant. The society values, ACOMMUNITY, IDENTITY, STABILITY, (Huxley 1) supersede all else in a collective effort. Soma, the magical ultimate drug is what keeps the population from revolting. What yo u need is a gramme of soma All the advantages of Christianity and alcohol; none of their defects. The drug is at the forefront of their daily lives providing freedom from lifes every ill. The word comes from the Sanskrit language of ancient India. It means both an intoxicating drink used in the old Vedic religious rituals there and the plant from whose juice the drink was made- a plant whose true identity we dont know. (Astrachan) The drug is used as a form of recreation, like sex, and its use is encouraged at any opportunity, especially when great emotions begin to arise. They are conditioned to accept this to calm and pacify them should they begin to feel anything too intensely. The conditioning also provides them with their place and prevents them from participating in social activities which they neednt take part in. (Smith) Class consciousness which Americans are so reluctant to acknowledge is taught through hypnopdia (the repetition of phrases during sleep akin to post hypnotic suggestion) for all social classes:These names are letters in the Greek alphabet, familiar to Huxleys original English readers because in English schools they are used as grades- like our As, Bs, etc.- with Alpha plus the best and Epsilon minus the worst. In Brave New World, each names a class or caste. Alphas and Betas remain individuals; only Gammas, Deltas, and Epsilons are bokanovskified. (Astrachan)The conditioning is begun at an extremely young age and is by modern real-world standards cruel, AThe screaming of the babies suddenly changed its tone. There was something desperate, almost insane, about the sharp spasmodic yelps to which they now gave utterance. (Huxley 20) The childrens Pavlovian conditioning with electric shocks is later compared to the wax seals which used to grace the seams of letters (Astrachan), Not so much like drops of water, though water, it is true, can wear holes in the hardest granite; rather, drops of liquid sealing-wax, drops that adhere, incrust, incorporate themselves with what they fall on, till finally the rock is all one scarlet blob. The entire society is conditioned to shrink away from intense emotion, engage in casual sex, and take their pacifying Soma. READ: All American Tragedy EssayIn 1984, a first-person book partly narrated by the main characters internal dialogue, the great party leader is Big Brother, a fictional character who is somewhat more imposing than Ford, of Huxleys book, named after the industrialist Henry Ford (Astrachan). The main character Winston fears Big Brother and is much more aware of his situation than any of the characters in A Brave New World who are constantly pacified by soma. In A Brave New World

Japan's cultural environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Japan's cultural environment - Essay Example In order to work and interact successfully in Japan, an understanding of its national culture is considered important. While businesses have been guided by Hofstede’s dimensions of national culture, this paper evaluates if changes have taken place since the 1960s and 1970s when data was collected by Hofstede. Hofstede defines culture as â€Å"the collective programming of the mind that distinguishes the members of one group or category of people from another†. Japan, with a PDI of 54, is a mildly hierarchical society. Power distance is the extent to which the less powerful members of the institutions expect that power is distributed unequally (Geert-Hofstede). However, the Japanese society is not as hierarchical as most Asian societies, according to Hofstede. Foreigners consider Japan as being extremely hierarchical because the decisions making goes through different layers of management but at the same time, this also demonstrates that there is no one single person in authority. In addition, Japan has been a meritocratic society and believes that everyone is born equal and anyone who is keen to attain higher levels of education, is free to do so, and move ahead. This is the degree to which the society maintains interdependence. Japan’s score of 46 suggests a collectivist society where the harmony of the group is more important than the individual opinions. People in such societies have a strong sense of shame in losing face. However, the Japanese society is not as collectivist as the Chinese society. This is because the Japanese do not have extended family system where collectivism is prevalent. The eldest son in Japanese families carries on the father’s name and inherits assets while the others have to leave home and find their own way in life. The Japanese are more loyal to their company or the organization to which they are attached than to the family. Thus, by western standards they are called collectivists but by Asian standards they are individualistic. Masculinity Index (MAS) Japan has a high score of 95 on this dimension which indicates it is one of the most masculine societies in the world. This, according to Hofstede suggests that the society will be driven by competition, achievement and success. However, the Japanese society does not demonstrate the behaviour expected in societies with high masculine scores, possibly because of their mild collectivist nature. There is severe competition but not between individuals; it is severe competition between groups which can be seen even at the primary school level. At the workplace also, employees are motivated when they are fighting against a team of competitors. The Japanese strive for excellence and perfection in

Day Care Feasibility Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Day Care Feasibility - Essay Example As the paper declares along with reducing absenteeism, on site service would give employees with children a greater sense of well being by having the children nearby. It would raise the morale of the workers and that would almost certainly translate to increased production. Being near their children would also relieve a great amount of worry and allow workers to concentrate on their work without being distracted. This discussion stresses that adequate day care is an obstacle to many parents wishing to enter the workforce. By offering company-sponsored daycare we will open our doors for high quality workers that would otherwise be reluctant or unable to work due to child care concerns. Our company would then be in a better position to compete for these dedicated workers. The importance of quality child care would also insure greater retention of our current employees. A recent study by economists at Bowdoin College pointed out the popularity and practicality of company sponsored day care. They conducted a study during a period when the unemployment rate was low and employers were having a hard time employing and retaining quality workers. They found that the added attraction of on site care not only attracted a higher quality and more dedicated workforce, but they were also able to compete for those workers at a cost savings on marginally lower wages. They found the savings to be substantial.