Brave New World Sex Analysis

In George Orwell’s novel 1984 human sexuality is portrayed as a means to an end, not a matter of the heart or mind. Quite conversely, Aldous Huxley’s story of Brave New World views sex to be just another object for everyone to share with each other. Although used in opposite ways, sex keeps the citizens of both novels docile and compliant with the reigning government. Both 1984 and Brave New World use sexual activity in different ways, but beneath the differences are similarities that achieve matching goals in the end, control. This control influences both main characters in virtually the same way as each pine for revolution but only possess the conviction for rebellious acts.

Alders Huxley’s Brave New World views sex as just another object

to be shared with the population. The government leaders and world controllers believe while everyone is in their euphoric stupor they will be too happy to question the life chosen for them. Any time the citizens of XXX city feel unhappy they proceed to have sex causing them forget whatever has instigated their strife, confirming the leaders’ theory. The world controllers have conditioned their citizens to look at sex, not as the bonding of one to another, but as “everyone is for everyone else”. Personal feeling is looked down upon, as it requires an individual to think about his/her life and question what might be if given choice. This story uses sex to maintain its inhabitants’ happiness so they remain docile towards the decisions made by the government.
The main character of Brave New World, Bernard Marx, grows tired of the endless sex constantly promoted by the society around him and wishes for a deeper connection beyond the physical level. Even as his mind strays, his body reverts to everything the government conditioned him to do; when feeling down have an escapade and forget it. Sex has become such a natural process where even as his mind rebels, Bernard’s body keeps him from acting upon it. The government has attuned Bernard’s body so he no longer possesses the will to live out all the ideas he concocted against the government, which ultimately results in failure of the change Bernard desired to institute.
On the opposite side of the same coin is George Orwell’s 1984, which all but prohibits sexual acts outside the reason of procreation and is vehemently monitored.

The current government, known as The Party, controls the people through their sexual frustration and subsequent distracted minds. Consequently, people are too focused on relieving their frustration they do not care what The Party changes in their world or how it affects them. The Party even directs citizens' pent up aggression toward their enemies allowing even farther control over the population. The majority of The Party’s control is centered on the manipulation of human sexuality and proves to be thoroughly

effective.
Winston Smith, 1984’s main character, aspires to revolt against The Party and all its ideals forced upon his fellow man.

Winston begins to rebel by lusting after a woman named Julia ”” with full knowledge that this act is forbidden. Winston gives in to his temptations and proceeds to violate the law with Julia. After the fact, Winston voices his plan for revolution only for it to fall on deaf ears. Julia only cares about rebelling through sex to gain personal satisfaction and is otherwise content with the life allowed by The Party. Winston realizes at this point people like Julia who is “” are satisfied by the mere sexual act and do not wish for a complete change in government. The Party has effectively ensured the perpetuation of their own future by controlling the emotions of its people through manipulating human

sexuality.
Throughout both novels, the manipulation of humans’ sexuality is used to control and influence the characters’ choices. Not only does this affect their minds but changes their bodies as well. The influence causes the characters to react a certain way even though their minds will a different action. The similarities between the separate uses of the sexual act come down to the subconscious control of the people. Both novels demonstrate how human sexuality controls the thoughts and actions of the citizens under the manipulation of the reigning government.