Napoleon Quotes In Brave New World
True Potential In an age of distant past, darkness would sweep door to door every sunset. Seeking a solution, Thomas Edison made his greatest contribution to civilization - the incandescent light bulb. Formulating over 1000 inventions, the renowned inventor once uttered the following words, “If we all did the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves” (BrainyQuote). One understands that the late inventor is insinuating that human potential is unbounded. Edison’s accomplishments are a testimony to his own words and thus can be considered the backbone of the novel Island, where Aldous Huxley depicts the Pacific island of Pala. Pala is an ideal society sustained by philosophical values and disjunction from the surrounding world. Naturally, Pala attracts the envy and acrimony from other civil bodies in pursuit of their rich oil deposits, leading to the foreseen demise of the utopia. Shipwrecking on the island, William Asquith Farnaby is enlightened by the perfection that is Pala, sparking a recalibration of his moral compass. Huxley illustrates the limitlessness of human capability through his portrayal of Pala’s existence, the ethical transformation of Will Farnaby, and the ultimate downfall of Pala.
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First used by Sir Thomas More in 1516, the word utopia itself has been representative of nothing more than a myth since its introduction.
By definition, a utopia is an imagined place or state in which everything is perfect. However, Huxley uses the existence of Pala as a rebuttal to the aforementioned statements. He justifies to the reader that a sustainable utopia is a viable possibility because of the magnitude of human capability. The island has been functioning for over 120 years since its establishment by “the Old Raja”. Intelligence is a pillar of Pala’s foundation and is seen during Will’s tour of the island. One leg of Will’s trip occurs in a schoolhouse near Shivapuram, where Mr. Menon and Mrs. Narayan accompany him. Mrs. Narayan, a teacher,
says:
For example, here's a mathematical problem. In your normal state it might take you the best part of half an hour to solve. But now you distort time to the point where one minute is subjectively the equivalent of thirty minutes. Then you set to work on your problem. Thirty subjective minutes later it's solved. But thirty subjective minutes are one clock minute. Without the least sense of rush or strain you've been working as fast as one of those extraordinary calculating boys, who turn up from time to time. (Huxley 252)
Here, she explains how the educational system maximizes the potential of children. Children are the future, hence noteworthy emphasis is placed on their proper education to ensure sustainability. By understanding how the brain functions, one is able to defeat the only boundary the human mind should face: time. The processing of time in the mind is a delicate task which can be tampered with, causing a trance state allowing “super learning”. With time on one’s side, a day at school has endless possibilities: problems are solved, lessons are given, books are read, projects are completed, all in the span of eight hours. Due to a highly productive curriculum, children are found learning botany and calculus in elementary school. Not only does the educational system focus on core subjects such as mathematics and literature, but considerable emphasis is placed on psychology as well. The reader sees the application of the astounding grasp of knowledge within Palanese characters from the start of the novel. More specifically, two children, Mary Sarojini and Tom Krishna, find Will traumatized near the island shores. The previous night Will encounters snakes during his climb up a cliff. Mary Sarojini continually repeats to Will, “Say it again!” (Huxley 15) while he is in a fragile emotional state. Will is on the brink of tears, but Mary Sarojini forces the western outsider to face his fears through repetition. The more one faces what frightens them most, the more they will be in control of their thoughts. By the end of their conversation, Will shifts from tears to pure laughter. For the reader, Mary Sarojini is the first impression of a Palanese character; and she handles the situation with great poise and responsibility, leaving the reader in awe. Along with ample knowledge, the Palanese have honed their application skills and this meeting lays the perfect foundation for what to expect from others in Pala. The Palanese tap into true human ability, which the rest of the world is yet to master. The Palanese, as the intellectually superior beings that they are, are the perfect piece of evidence to Edison’s quote. Thus, Huxley demonstrates that humans have been able to create a utopia embracing untapped human potential; and once again proves if humans reach their full potential, anything is possible.
Huxley’s depiction of humankind’s capability to achieve extraordinary feats such as the acquisition of unmatched knowledge, shaping a utopia, is an example of human ability as a unit. To further cement his theme of ceaseless human potential, he shows the reader what an individual can do on their own, through the lens of Will Farnaby. Although it is unclear whether Will’s shipwreck was an accident or planned, it serves as a benefit to him and Joe Aldehyde. Joe Aldehyde is the Chairman of the Board for Southeast Asia Petroleum and Will serves as his “friend and private ambassador”. Conspiracies are circling regarding a potential agreement between the company and Pala in exchange for oil royalties. Joe says, "If you ever do manage to land in Pala, make a bee-line for the palace” (Huxley 25). Will is offered a bonus and a week’s break; as an incentive to complete the agreement between Southeast Asia Petroleum and Pala. Will continually recalls these words from his last meeting with his boss, expressing his subconscious desire for his promised reward. While recovering from his knee injury, he gains insight on the island from the locals. Will realizes that oil royalties and industrialization will be the demise of the island as Mr. Bahu says, “So long as it remains out of touch with the rest of the world, an ideal society can be a viable society” (Huxley 66). Being inconsiderate and overwhelmed by his greed and lust for reward, Will signs the death warrant for the island when he shakes Murugan’s hand - going ahead with the deal. However, in the final stages of the novel, he has a surprising change of heart and does not finalize the agreement with Pala royalty. The philosophical environment within Pala is enough to spark a recalibration of Will’s moral compass. As Will’s knee heals, so does his mind from all the corruption of the outside world. He has an internal transformation, altering his moral principles and what he values. One can connect the philosophy of value-theory to Will’s case. Initially, Will valued his bonus and vacation. He had no concern over the well-being of a thriving utopia or its people. This immoral and unethically staged protagonist does not initially appeal to the reader. The MacPhail family shows immense hospitality and creates a welcoming environment and Will returns the favour by betraying them; yet Pala rehabilitates Will’s fraudulent mind. However, not all credit goes to the environment of Pala, as Will shows authentic curiosity regarding the island. Being a journalist, he continually asks questions to the locals as if conducting an interview for an article. He also reads a book called Notes on What’s What, gaining further enlightenment. Will’s open-minded mentality is crucial to the bond he forms with the island. Will begins to value freedom, family, and knowledge the more time he spends in Pala; gradually moving from tangible to intangible items of value. As Will’s morals continue to evolve, his pathos increases. Huxley effectively displays how Wills’ individual capability is ample potential to generate positive internal change; and if Will can do so, anyone else can.
During the 1960’s when Island was published, the Human Potential Movement arose out of a counter-culture, forming around the concept of cultivating outstanding potential that remains mostly unused. Advocates believe humans can experience an exceptional quality of life, comprised of happiness, creativity, and accomplishment. Pala’s existence and Will’s metamorphosis are examples of the good that comes from untapped human potential. One fails to realize that capability and potential hold different meanings. Limitless human capability includes the astounding potential for greatness along with the capabilities of destruction. Humans are capable of both creating and destroying and this is evident in the actions of Murugan and the Rani. Will says, “Murugan and the Rani were conspiring against you” (Huxley 323), directly exposing the Palanesian royalty. The Palanese civilians realize that industrialization would act as a catalyst in the destruction of the utopia. Nevertheless, the Rani and her son believe industrialization and oil royalties are key to the development and prosperity of Pala. Murugan declares, “Twenty-five percent of all moneys received will go to World Reconstruction … the remainder will go into an intensive program of industrialization" (Huxley 50). Murugan is acting candidly against the wish of the people, by devising the uses of the royalties in all the wrong areas. A royalty agreement is made with Colonel Dipa and Standard of California after the deal with Joe Aldehyde and Southeast Asia Petroleum breakdown. Pala is overtaken my Dipa’s men, and the end is without a doubt near for the island. Utilitarianism only works if all are united, not simply in nature. Utopia and dystopia are two ends of a tug of rope war that will always collide, resulting in mutually assured destruction, as is seen with Pala and Rendang respectively. 120 years of a flourishing utopia, destroyed at the hands of a premature prince and a deficient queen is abundant evidence by Huxley representing that, although unbounded human potential can be fortunate, unbounded human capabilities can be fatal.
Through Aldous Huxley’s portrayal of Pala’s existence, the ethical transformation of Will Farnaby, and the ultimate downfall of Pala, he is able to effectively illustrates the limitlessness of human capability.
First used by Sir Thomas More in 1516, the word utopia itself has been representative of nothing more than a myth since its introduction.
By definition, a utopia is an imagined place or state in which everything is perfect. However, Huxley uses the existence of Pala as a rebuttal to the aforementioned statements. He justifies to the reader that a sustainable utopia is a viable possibility because of the magnitude of human capability. The island has been functioning for over 120 years since its establishment by “the Old Raja”. Intelligence is a pillar of Pala’s foundation and is seen during Will’s tour of the island. One leg of Will’s trip occurs in a schoolhouse near Shivapuram, where Mr. Menon and Mrs. Narayan accompany him. Mrs. Narayan, a teacher,
says:
For example, here's a mathematical problem. In your normal state it might take you the best part of half an hour to solve. But now you distort time to the point where one minute is subjectively the equivalent of thirty minutes. Then you set to work on your problem. Thirty subjective minutes later it's solved. But thirty subjective minutes are one clock minute. Without the least sense of rush or strain you've been working as fast as one of those extraordinary calculating boys, who turn up from time to time. (Huxley 252)
Here, she explains how the educational system maximizes the potential of children. Children are the future, hence noteworthy emphasis is placed on their proper education to ensure sustainability. By understanding how the brain functions, one is able to defeat the only boundary the human mind should face: time. The processing of time in the mind is a delicate task which can be tampered with, causing a trance state allowing “super learning”. With time on one’s side, a day at school has endless possibilities: problems are solved, lessons are given, books are read, projects are completed, all in the span of eight hours. Due to a highly productive curriculum, children are found learning botany and calculus in elementary school. Not only does the educational system focus on core subjects such as mathematics and literature, but considerable emphasis is placed on psychology as well. The reader sees the application of the astounding grasp of knowledge within Palanese characters from the start of the novel. More specifically, two children, Mary Sarojini and Tom Krishna, find Will traumatized near the island shores. The previous night Will encounters snakes during his climb up a cliff. Mary Sarojini continually repeats to Will, “Say it again!” (Huxley 15) while he is in a fragile emotional state. Will is on the brink of tears, but Mary Sarojini forces the western outsider to face his fears through repetition. The more one faces what frightens them most, the more they will be in control of their thoughts. By the end of their conversation, Will shifts from tears to pure laughter. For the reader, Mary Sarojini is the first impression of a Palanese character; and she handles the situation with great poise and responsibility, leaving the reader in awe. Along with ample knowledge, the Palanese have honed their application skills and this meeting lays the perfect foundation for what to expect from others in Pala. The Palanese tap into true human ability, which the rest of the world is yet to master. The Palanese, as the intellectually superior beings that they are, are the perfect piece of evidence to Edison’s quote. Thus, Huxley demonstrates that humans have been able to create a utopia embracing untapped human potential; and once again proves if humans reach their full potential, anything is possible.
Huxley’s depiction of humankind’s capability to achieve extraordinary feats such as the acquisition of unmatched knowledge, shaping a utopia, is an example of human ability as a unit. To further cement his theme of ceaseless human potential, he shows the reader what an individual can do on their own, through the lens of Will Farnaby. Although it is unclear whether Will’s shipwreck was an accident or planned, it serves as a benefit to him and Joe Aldehyde. Joe Aldehyde is the Chairman of the Board for Southeast Asia Petroleum and Will serves as his “friend and private ambassador”. Conspiracies are circling regarding a potential agreement between the company and Pala in exchange for oil royalties. Joe says, "If you ever do manage to land in Pala, make a bee-line for the palace” (Huxley 25). Will is offered a bonus and a week’s break; as an incentive to complete the agreement between Southeast Asia Petroleum and Pala. Will continually recalls these words from his last meeting with his boss, expressing his subconscious desire for his promised reward. While recovering from his knee injury, he gains insight on the island from the locals. Will realizes that oil royalties and industrialization will be the demise of the island as Mr. Bahu says, “So long as it remains out of touch with the rest of the world, an ideal society can be a viable society” (Huxley 66). Being inconsiderate and overwhelmed by his greed and lust for reward, Will signs the death warrant for the island when he shakes Murugan’s hand - going ahead with the deal. However, in the final stages of the novel, he has a surprising change of heart and does not finalize the agreement with Pala royalty. The philosophical environment within Pala is enough to spark a recalibration of Will’s moral compass. As Will’s knee heals, so does his mind from all the corruption of the outside world. He has an internal transformation, altering his moral principles and what he values. One can connect the philosophy of value-theory to Will’s case. Initially, Will valued his bonus and vacation. He had no concern over the well-being of a thriving utopia or its people. This immoral and unethically staged protagonist does not initially appeal to the reader. The MacPhail family shows immense hospitality and creates a welcoming environment and Will returns the favour by betraying them; yet Pala rehabilitates Will’s fraudulent mind. However, not all credit goes to the environment of Pala, as Will shows authentic curiosity regarding the island. Being a journalist, he continually asks questions to the locals as if conducting an interview for an article. He also reads a book called Notes on What’s What, gaining further enlightenment. Will’s open-minded mentality is crucial to the bond he forms with the island. Will begins to value freedom, family, and knowledge the more time he spends in Pala; gradually moving from tangible to intangible items of value. As Will’s morals continue to evolve, his pathos increases. Huxley effectively displays how Wills’ individual capability is ample potential to generate positive internal change; and if Will can do so, anyone else can.
During the 1960’s when Island was published, the Human Potential Movement arose out of a counter-culture, forming around the concept of cultivating outstanding potential that remains mostly unused. Advocates believe humans can experience an exceptional quality of life, comprised of happiness, creativity, and accomplishment. Pala’s existence and Will’s metamorphosis are examples of the good that comes from untapped human potential. One fails to realize that capability and potential hold different meanings. Limitless human capability includes the astounding potential for greatness along with the capabilities of destruction. Humans are capable of both creating and destroying and this is evident in the actions of Murugan and the Rani. Will says, “Murugan and the Rani were conspiring against you” (Huxley 323), directly exposing the Palanesian royalty. The Palanese civilians realize that industrialization would act as a catalyst in the destruction of the utopia. Nevertheless, the Rani and her son believe industrialization and oil royalties are key to the development and prosperity of Pala. Murugan declares, “Twenty-five percent of all moneys received will go to World Reconstruction … the remainder will go into an intensive program of industrialization" (Huxley 50). Murugan is acting candidly against the wish of the people, by devising the uses of the royalties in all the wrong areas. A royalty agreement is made with Colonel Dipa and Standard of California after the deal with Joe Aldehyde and Southeast Asia Petroleum breakdown. Pala is overtaken my Dipa’s men, and the end is without a doubt near for the island. Utilitarianism only works if all are united, not simply in nature. Utopia and dystopia are two ends of a tug of rope war that will always collide, resulting in mutually assured destruction, as is seen with Pala and Rendang respectively. 120 years of a flourishing utopia, destroyed at the hands of a premature prince and a deficient queen is abundant evidence by Huxley representing that, although unbounded human potential can be fortunate, unbounded human capabilities can be fatal.
Through Aldous Huxley’s portrayal of Pala’s existence, the ethical transformation of Will Farnaby, and the ultimate downfall of Pala, he is able to effectively illustrates the limitlessness of human capability.