Brave New World Lesson Plan

World State children are conditioned not to fear death. How might this benefit society? If you had the option to let your child be conditioned to “take dying as a matter of course," would you allow it?

A fear of death is considered to be natural, but it also contributes to considerable worry and unrest. A fear of death may also cause people to seek out meaning in their existence, which would be considered a distraction from the seamless efficiency and instant gratification the World State strives for. Students should also be encouraged to consider how the eradication of the fear of death might be a positive thing.

In the feelie that John and Lenina experience, the...