Brave New World (Chapters 4-12)

"Why was that old fellow such a marvelous propaganda technician? Because he had so many insane, excruciating things to get excited about. You've got to be hurt and upset; otherwise you can't think of the really good, penetrating, X-rayish phrases" (169).

Helmholtz is referring to Shakespeare's power with words. Helmholtz wants to start a revolution of thought in the dystopian society. He wants to spread propaganda, but he doesn't know what to say that could really hit hard for the population. By pointing out that one needs to experience a range of emotions in order to really make others feel something, he is demonstrating the reason nobody has rebelled before. The people are incapable of really feeling anything that has not already been predestined for them in their test tubes. The Hatcheries control what type of people they develop into. Even though they cannot control their thoughts, they can control their experiences and how much their brain can develop. By making things like sex and relationships and emotions either everyday or completely unknown ideas, the creators have essentially stripped the people of their ability to shock or "penetrate" their minds.

Essentially, they cannot start a revolution because nobody would be able to comprehend their purpose. When Marx was trying to convince Lenina to live her life differently, she thought he was having "distressing" thoughts she didn't want to and couldn't grasp so she offered him drugs. The people have literally lived their lives numb to any sensation and not by choice, but because they don't know any different. Marx and Helmholtz had more rebellious thoughts, though. They eschewed things like drugs, random sex, and forced social interaction; the tools the creators use to pacify the masses. So, that might possibly be the only way for the whole community to go against what they were born to do--born to like.

Question: Is it morally wrong for the people to not be entitled to their own free will, even if they do not know what it is and therefore do not miss it?

-Madhu