Power Struggle

          Power struggles in literature are common as they serve a portrait which exemplifies issues we face in our day to day lives that deal with conformity and societal pressures trying to mold something out of the individuals we so inherently are. Two contrasting figures match up here as conformity collides with outright rebellion, both dueling the power structures attempting the harsh rule and control over these two characters.          
          Bernard, in Brave New World, serves to demonstrate the idea of an outcast in order to present the pursue for individualism in a homogeneous society. He is confronted with the issue of being an Alpha, or an intellectual leader of society, troubled by physical defects which set him aside from the rest. This leads him to cast away and be one of the only members of society that doesn't find happiness in the "orgy porgy's" or other community activities. But how can he fight the establishment then? What can he possibly do to change peoples thoughts regarding society? He can't do anything. Or at least he doesn't do anything. Instead he simply molds to society and like the rest, he conforms. If society is hard on him because of his differences he rejects and criticizes them, but if they promote him and express positivism he concludes life in this world isn't so bad after all.
          There is a strong difference outlined between Bernard and other characters I've come across in literature, but one with which he strongly contrasts and differentiates is that of McMurphy from One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest. He too, is faced with being an outcast in a homogeneous society not only in the ward but outside in the real world aswel. Being one of the few who openly stands against the establishment, the natural reaction is that of locking him up. He, unlike Bernard, doesn't conform to anything. The rules or guidelines or procedures, they all fly past him because of his strength and determination to fight the controlling powers that try to take a grip on his life. It doesn't necessarily serve him well as the louder he is and the more resistance he gives to Nurse Ratchet the harder they are on him and the closer he is to his own destruction. Knowingly, he still fights on.
          At the end each of these is trying to break away from the same invisible controls society has laid on them. McMurphy extinguishes all his possibilities as destruction and death meet him but he is able to serve freedom to Bromden, Harding, and several other patients in the ward. He sacrificed his life and was successful. Bernard was left behind by society once again as the love and interest they had in him drifted away as soon as their interests where fulfilled. Once again he hates life, society, and the world he's forced to cope with. Fortunately he still conserves his life, and the struggle is still on. So I leave it to you, my readers, to decide. A life of pain and conformity or a martyr's death and ultimately freedom?

          

Project Human

          Hatchery: Facility where eggs are hatched under artificial conditions, especially those of fish or poultry.

          In Aldous Huxley's Brave New World we are introduced to the works of a society that, through experimentation, has been able to develop a scientific process which allows for the creation of life without the act of sex. Even without the need of a surrogate mother. The positive aspects of said development are fairly interesting as the family structure is broken apart and the apparent main focus given to the people is that to live in community to achieve stability. If society is seen through the eyes of a single unit which machines everyone together how is the individual present in this world?

          The answer up to this point in the novel is very simple. There is no individual because each member of society is predestined to fulfill a specific role to which they will not only conform, but ultimately enjoy, greasing up once again this idea of society as a whole. When the world teaches you seclusion is wrong, or as a matter of fact even alone time is negative, you are bound to seek company at all times. Your happiness and comfort will only be there surrounded by others, giving your effort to that of the greater good without even hesitating.
          Wouldn't it be great to have a society living in such harmony? The issue with that is that as humans we simply can't all be the same. Even through the "bokanovsky process" there are bound to be differences which altogether form the individual and break away from societies uniformity. I'm eager to see how the novel develops this idea and how tensions build up between this important issue of individuality.