Sometimes very advanced societies overlook the necessities of the individual. In
the book Brave New World, Aldous Huxley creates two distinct societies: the
Savages and the Fordians. The Fordians are technologically sophisticated, unlike
the Savages. However, it is obvious that, overall, the Savages have more
practical abilities, have more, complicated, ideals, and are much more advanced
emotionally, which all help the individual to grow. The Savage Reservation
provides more opportunities for personal growth than does the Fordian society.
Throughout the story, it is shown how the Fordian society is much more advanced
technologically than the Savage Reservation. Because the Reservation is not
fully equipped with well-developed machinery to do all their work for them, they
must learn to do it themselves. Unlike the Fordians, the Savages are taught
functional skills, such as stitching up simple tears and weaving. In the story
Mitsima, an old man from the reservation, teaches John the Savage how to make a
clay pot, using nothing but a lump of clay and his own two hands. This is a very
practical and useful tool. The Savages are taught to cook for themselves, and to
clean for themselves. These teachings help the individual to grow practically.
The Savages also bestow good ideals in their people from which they can learn,
understand, and grow. One of the most important things that the Savages are
taught is self-control. The Whipping Ceremony is a good example of this. In this
ceremony a young man was whipped to death in front of a large audience and
throughout it he "made no sound…[and] walked on at the same slow, steady
pace" (97). The man is taught that to show his strength he must use the
uttermost limits of his self-control. They are also taught self-control in how
they are prohibited free sex. They must learn restraint through their lust and
desires. It is shown how capable the Savages are when controlling themselves in
chapter 13. Lenina, whom John loves and desires more than anything in the world,
is proclaiming herself to John, and yet he restrains himself because they are
not married. The Savages are also taught to be responsible. For instance, in
families the parents must care for, love, and nurture their children as best
they can in order for them to develop. An example of this is how Linda takes
full responsibility for raising John, and even though she has very few skills,
she teaches him to read. Another thing that the Savages provide for their people
is a past from which to learn. For example the old men in the pueblo tell
stories of how the world began. They said that "the seed of men and of all
creatures, the seed of the sun and the seed of the earth" is how the world
was created (109). The Savages can learn from this story not to take advantage
of things. Things must be tended to for growth, like seeds. This story also
gives people the impression that all things are equal. By saying that no matter
how big or important something is, it started as a seed, and requires the same
type of care, it is like saying that everything is equally important and
precious. Self-control, strength, responsibility, and history are only three of
the ideals Savages are taught to help them grow. The Savages are not withheld
from feeling emotion, and are encouraged to deal with them, rather than ignore
them. This is shown is the contempt the Savage boys show towards John because he
is different, and the pain John feels. Even though these are not happy emotions
they are still emotions which the Savages can use to express themselves. These
emotions can be used as learning experiences and certainly help all of them to
grow. The Savages are also taught to express love. This is chiefly shown in the
relationship between John and Linda. For example, when the angry women come to
hurt Linda, John tries to protect her and ends up himself getting hurt. Their
love for each other is also shown in how Linda reconciles with John after
hurting him when she "suddenly put her arms round him and kissed him again
and again" (107). All of these emotions contribute to someone's personality
and help him or her to grow as a feeling person. Since the industrial
revolution, human kind has placed great emphasis on technological change. The
Savage society teaches us that pre-industrial values may have as much to offer
us as modern technological society does, and possibly more. The so-called Savage
society is far more realistic, and shows stronger personal values than the more
superficial Fordian society. Above all, the 'Savages' can express their inner
soul far more effectively than their industrial counterparts.