Brave New World

The New Power: "Brave New World" and the Status of Mustapha Mond 12th Grade

In Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, World Controller Mustapha Mond has to reconcile imposing the suppressive values of the world state with his powerful knowledge from a past world. This very knowledge is what keeps him in control of the world of AF 632. Community, identity, and stability are the values that he preaches to his millions of citizens. However, he embodies a different viewpoint, one that leads him to value the world; under this perspective, Mond goes the extra mile to study physics and appreciates the craft of Shakespeare.

When John confronts Mustapha about how he breaks the societal rules prohibiting reading, Mond responds, “but as I make the laws here, I can also break them” (Huxley 234). The novel is intended “to reveal ironically the inadequacies of the present” (Firchow) through its satirization of society and capitalism in the modern world. Nonetheless, in this novel, literature and knowledge place Mond ahead of every man in the world, instead of the immense wealth that often ensures power today. Mond is apparently a hypocritical character, one who holds his subjects to a code which he does not follow. He is treated like a god when he is called “Your Fordship” (Huxley 150) and this is a satirization of the...

Join Now to View Premium Content

GradeSaver provides access to 2312 study guide PDFs and quizzes, 10989 literature essays, 2751 sample college application essays, 911 lesson plans, and ad-free surfing in this premium content, “Members Only” section of the site! Membership includes a 10% discount on all editing orders.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in