The nature of happiness and freedom is a theme seen in Brave New World, in the loss of identity for the stability of society; which becomes a loss of identity for happiness. This is done through the use of the dystopic fiction, the style of the novel, and its structure; but also through the use of characterisation. The concept that happiness requires the loss of self identity is one challenged by Brave New World, in particular; this also addresses the contextual concept of communism in society. Within the text, stability of society is all powerful;
“… When the individual feels, the community reels…”
Conditioning and Soma are used by the general population to prevent realisation of the loss of identity; they are kept emotionally immature, with a shallow and unfulfilling form of happiness left to satisfy them. Huxley is showing the fundamental flaws in the search for utopia; it is an unachievable aim; which ultimately results in the destruction of individuality and humanity. The dystopic impression of futility upon the respondent is created here, as it also is in Blade Runner.
Blade Runner is founded in a world where identity is forfeited to society without even the illusional happiness of Brave New World. It is without true freedom or happiness, which is shown through the use of film noir; the darkness of the film’s themes and issues is reflected in the use of cinematic technique, the dim lighting and stylised settings .The assimilation of humanity by the replicants shows the theme; they have given up their own identity in the hope of attaining happiness. In contrast to this, the discovery by Rachael of her true identity, a replicant, destroys the illusion of happiness her place in society had given her;
Rachael: “I’m not in the business. …I am the business.”
But this allowed her to discover a semblance of freedom. The failure of the replicants to truly become a part of human society is that they are too much a part of the new wild, perfect in the face of humanity’s flaws, and so are separate from true nature and humanity...
In Brave New World, true nature is constrained and separate from society; the new wild is humanity’s creation; here, Savage has been rejected from the natural in the reserves, but Savage cannot cope with the demands of the new wild - London society - and so withdraws from it into what he perceives as the natural world.
“…Loathsome civilised stuff! … To sing and enjoy himself was not why he had come here; it was to escape further contamination by civilised life…”
However, Savage is continually confronted by the new wild beyond his attempts to escape it; so hangs himself in a final rejection of it.
Characterisation is the main technique used in conveying the theme of society’s overturning of nature; true nature and the wild, however, in Blade Runner, visual and cinematographic techniques are also used. The city itself has become a character within the text, as it helps show the theme. The replicants are too perfect in contrast to the damaged remnants of humanity; for to be human is to be imperfect. The replicants have become a part of the wild, as is seen in the pursuit of Zhora by Deckard. When Deckard tests Zhora for emotion:
Deckard: “… you’d be surprised what a man would go through to get a glimpse of a beautiful body…”
Zhora: “… no, I wouldn’t…”
Zhora, although attempting to appear human, does not match the expectations of society and so betrays her nature. She flees into the streets semi-dressed; she has adapted to and become a part of the new wild, while Deckard remains apart, but imposing himself upon it.
Although the mediums used by both texts were successful; the most effective would be Blade Runner, due to its use of the visual techniques of film noir; cinematography and audio cues. However, the usefulness of the film was obstructed by the form of technology used to view it; the video was awkward and time consuming, and overall comprehension of the film was reduced as it was viewed in a segmented fashion. Brave New World, on the other hand, being set in a novel format, was easier to view as a complete work, as it could be reviewed at the later date by the individual. It has become apparent in the completion of this unit; that the most effective of study processes have not been those which were technology based. When using the mind-mapping program, Inspiration, the gain was worth less than the effort taken.
The two texts, Blade Runner and Brave New World both present different, but unopposed views of humanity and its relationship with the wild. This has been done through the use of techniques including dystopic fiction, film noir, and characterisation. Also shaping and reflecting human understanding were the themes of the nature of freedom and happiness, and of humanity overcoming nature. It can be seen in the texts that the view of humanity reflected is one of the misuse of technology and society. Technology creates the new wild, and develops a dystopia, which slowly strangles humanity’s relationship with the natural world, leaving the characters to be destroyed by their own creation.
Both texts show a world decimated by technology, bereft of true nature, and therefore of true humanity. What is left to the characters is a self-made wild; a thing more dangerous than ever true nature was; for the wild manipulates and distorts the characters whenever they come into contact with it, without being affected itself.
