If the lives of those who live in this Brave New World are improved from our "old" way of life, then why do they find it necessary to take doses of soma? In the first section of chapter 5 Henry and Lenina had a short discussion about the various castes of their society, and they pointed out that every class was necessary for their society to function, even the Epsilons. They came to the conclusion that everyone was happy with their place in the world: the Alphas were glad they were Alphas, and the lower-class Epsilons wouldn't want to be Alphas or Betas, but are they really happy with their position in society? If they wanted to do the jobs they were given and be treated as their caste is treated, then why is it necessary to brain wash these people as children with their nightly voices and use of hypnopaedia? The only reason Lenina and Henry believed that "everyone is happy now" is because it was whispered to them every night for twelve years. So are they really happy, or are they just forced to believe that they are content?
It was mentioned in the first part of chapter four that Benito Hoover was positive and "sunny," and therefore he does not need to take soma to get rid of the anger and negative feelings that others use soma to eliminate. If everyone is happy, then why do they experience feelings of anger and hostility that they need to find and escape from? If their world is so perfect, why would they leave it to take "holidays"? If they are truly happy, they should never want to leave their "reality."
In my opinion, everyone in this new world is weak. They say that it is improved when really they are so sad in their world of lust and work that they feel depressed. Not only does soma numb them out but it takes years off of their lives. To me it seams like they are just trying to get out of this world as soon as possible and in the time being, be themselves and mentally present as little as possible by taking soma. They are to weak to handle any slightest dilema that may come along.
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