Soma In Brave New World

In the novel Brave New World, the World State relies on each person to a play their role in society like cogs in a much larger machine. Machines are built to last and are preset to work in a certain way so that they do not stray away from their functionality and intended use. Likewise, citizens of the World State are preset by their conditioning, rules, and systems each person's compliance causes another person to do their job just like how a cog turns another cog perpetuating the cycle. However, machines do not come without their imperfections and flaws, but those do not necessarily hinder its performance like how major characters have something that makes them unconventional, yet do not challenge the reigning order. Therefore, the citizens

of World State serve to perpetuate the very conditions that cause them distress through the process of conditioning, the habitual use of soma, and their acceptance of a social order.
From the beginning of the novel, the reader is introduced to the process of conditioning, an idea invented by Huxley, which establishes a solid basis for the novel. Everything that occurs in the novel can be related back to conditioning. Through Henry Foster, the reader is given a glimpse of what a typical Alpha male should be in the World State. He is free of flaws and generally happy, a perfect example of conditioning at work, as far as the reader can tell. However, Helmholtz and Bernard both Alpha Pluses are ranked slightly above Henry and are examples of individuals with unconventional traits unintended by conditioning. Even though these unconventional traits make them different for societal norms they both preserve conditioning unknowingly through their actions. Though Bernard thinks himself to be an individual he still finds comfort in being part of a larger collective. As Bernard states, “I am I, and wish I wasn’t,” (Huxley 64) which shows his disapproval of his differences because they lead him to become secluded from the fold. He conforms to the very society he once despised when given the chance and opportunity, and it is this want to fit into society that enables conditioning to take hold causing his initial dilemma. Helmholtz like Bernard also sees himself as an individual but instead of trying to fit like Bernard he instead isolates himself to do his work. To elaborate Helmholtz explains, “ I’ve got something important to say and the power to say it- only I don't know what it is, and I can't make any use of the power,” (Huxley 69) showing that he yearns to write more than just feelies and hypnopaedic phrases. However, even with his enthusiasm to write something with more meaning, he conforms and continues to write feelies and hypnopaedic rhymes perpetuating the conditions that prevent him from reaching his full potential as a writer. By laying low and trying to fit into the status quote, they allow the process of conditioning to further isolate the idea of being an individual.
Similarly, the use of soma as a frequent coping mechanism limits reaction or any genuine feeling.

Soma is frequently used by every citizen of the World State with the exception of a chosen few. Its importance is especially prevalent in the lower castes where it is worshiped like a religion. Mustapha Mond once said, “ Christianity without tears- that’s what soma is,” (Huxley 238) which shows how soma serves the same purpose as religion once did. Instead of turning to a higher power for forgiveness and relief, the citizens of the World State turn to a tablet free of moral obligation. Individuals like Lenina use soma to get relief from their troubles and express feelings of intimacy, which sets an example to others of what they can achieve through the use of soma. As evidence, “Linda, for her part, had no desire to see them. The return to civilization was for her the return to soma,” (Huxley 154) further showing that importance of soma as it allows for citizens to conform easily and with much more enjoyability. Moreover, soma is the World State's way of pacifying the population and keeping order, which clearly seen in the riot scene where the police force essentially stops the riot with a bunch of soma gas. By using soma the citizens of the World State surrender their control for the comfort that soma offers them even though it is their use of soma that causes their lack of emotional

control.
The caste system of the World State is divided into five different categories: Alphas, Betas, Gammas, Deltas, and Epsilons.

The higher up the social order you go the progressively more intelligent and influential the individuals become. As stated by the DHC, “The greater a man’s talents, the greater his power to lead astray,” (Huxley 148) further enforcing that acceptance of the social order is valid as it is based on intelligence, which gives individuals power over others. At the top of the social hierarchy is none other than Mustapha Mond the world controller. In the novel, no one really questions his position as world controller because their knowledge does not compare to his. For example, Bernard and Helmholtz are fearful of the world controller because of his power and authority even though they are Alpha Pluses, which would cause the Betas to fall in line and so on and so forth. In a social hierarchy where status is determined knowledge and intelligence, it is hard to question the social order even if you obtain power and influence. Mustapha Mond continues to follow the current social order even though he was the power to change it, which then forces all those below him to do the same through fear or just through the effectiveness of the conditioning. Mustapha Mond reasons, “ We don't want to change. Every change is a menace to stability,”(Huxley 224) showing that even individuals like Mustapha Mond can conform to maladaptive values of the World State. Instead of

challenging the reigning order that limits him as an individual he fully commits to perpetuating the very conditions that allow the World State to function. As a leader, he has accepted that he must conform in order to preserve and prevent the collapse of the World State causing him to forfeit the things he once valued more than stability like scientific advancements and the high arts.
Huxley illustrates the danger of conforming in a society where almost everyone shares the same ideals, by demonstrating that conformity can perpetuate the very circumstances that one hoped to avoid. Using the conditioning as an anchor in the World State’s society Huxley allows us, the reader, to delve deeper into the systems that enticed individuals conform. Through his use of soma and an imaginative social order, he managed to exemplify the very reasons of why an individual conforms. Every part of a machine works together to serve a purpose as does each citizen of the World State together helps achieve society's goal of stability. Conformity is necessary for every society to an extent, but society needs individuals to lead.