Brave New World Happiness Quotes

Hope for what?

Searching for happiness is honorable, indispensable while achievable in an individual’s lifetime; however, most people forget to even think about it from time to time. This is a great resemblance of how the majority of people in brave new world have decided to settle on and approach the idea of happiness. The true definition of happiness and what factors must be present at hand in order to make an individual pleased are diverse and distinct to a single person, these differences may be due to cultures, philosophies and much more. Nonetheless, in the book Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley, Bernard, the protagonist, is unsuccessful at achieving happiness, although he endeavors it multiple times throughout the course of the novel.

In an attempt to seek happiness, individuals are forced into undermining their values, beliefs and morals, which ultimately results in them becoming unhappy. This is shown through a manifold set of events where Bernard hopes that the outcome will be positive leading him towards a happier life, however, he is let down by the true results; the first example is once he is taking Lenina to the cliff. The second instance reflecting this is how Bernard’s character and significance is all the sudden demolished after John decides not to perform; the last example is when he is sent to an island and is finally all alone.
The first example which illustrates how Bernard is forced to demoralize his beliefs is undoubtedly made known through his action, once Bernard decides to go out with Lenina. Bernard is determined to take Lenina by the ocean and obligate her to take a glance over the gray and vast waves, hoping that she would get a glimpse at what Bernard regards as being a true ideal. Bernard considers the sea to be one his values. On the contrary the following quote is Lenina’s response to his action: “‘it’s horrible,’ said Lenina, shrinking back from the window.” In this situation Bernard is forced to leave what he thinks as value behind. Bernard maks the generalization that, since one individual is disgusted by his values, everybody must think the same towards the majority of what he endures. Even afterwards, Bernard does not end up happy, with Lenina at his apartment, and has to take soma. This wonderfully demonstrates how Bernard is required to give up what he apprehended as value to him, merely hoping that what Lenina considers to make her happy will content him as well, but, even so, he is left unhappy.
As has been noted earlier, Bernard takes not just one, but rather a series of actions, all in the hope to find happiness.

The second example is once again, from Bernard and can be shown through the quotes: “The idea of this creature [Bernard] solemnly lecturing him-him [Mustapha Mond]-about the social order was really too grotesque.” This quote is the very epitome of undermining the belief about the existence of a faultless caste system in this brave new world. Bernard by writing this letter has clearly forced himself once more towards undermining his belief as well as knowledge, regarding this whole concept of the caste system which has been put into place in this brave new world. For the mere fact that Bernard is the one who has brought John from the reservation, he conjectures himself as being untouchable. He speculates that by questioning the authority, he will become happy and will be able to sustain this acquired joyousness. However, his much anticipated happiness is going to be fruitless, since Mustapha Mond cites: “ought to give him a

lesson.”
Furthermore, the last example, Bernard’s character, supports the notion that individuals’ happiness is marred by having to abstain from their beliefs and morals.

The following quote, which is once Bernard decides to not take any action while Helmholtz and John are fighting, is an exceptional passage containing one of the most decisive quotes that implicate the whole concept of undermining one’s morals. The quote is: “urged by a sudden impulse, [Bernard] ran forward to help them; then thought better of it and halted; then, ashamed, stepped forward again; then again thought better of it.” Bernard is completely aware that by getting himself involved in the brawl, he increases his chance of being sent to a different place notably. As a result, he is determined to put aside the morals and beliefs of assisting his comrades once they are in need, he expects that by carrying this out, he can eventually walk away innocent and pursue his happiness. Needless to say, he is ultimately sent to an island which results in his sorrow. Once again reflecting on how he is incapable to achieve happiness even though he sacrifices his

friendship.
In an attempt to pursue happiness, people are obligated to transgress their accepted principles, ideology and wisdom, which does not even lead them to happiness at the end. This is supported by examining cases from Bernard at which he goes against his beliefs, ideas and knowledge, hoping that it would lead him to eternal happiness. After multiple instances, such as him taking Lenina to the cliff, writing impertinently towards the controller, and finally, not trying to help his friends when they were in need, Bernard still remains discontented, even as the novel drew to an end. “The road to happiness has never been a straight one, and yet, it is the only road worth travelling, no matter what.” (Mehmet Murat IIdan)