In-Class Essay: Brave New World Chapter 17 and 18
Your Task
Choose TWO of the five themes listed below to write about. For each theme you will write a
TISAS paragraph in which your topic sentence provides an answer to the question(s) posed in
the prompt. That’s a total of two TISAS paragraphs that provide text evidence and clear,
thoughtful analysis to support your ideas. Your evidence should be focused on chapters 17 and
18, although you are welcome to pull evidence from other chapters when relevant.
The Prompts (Choose 2)
Unhappiness
At the end of chapter 17, John claims the right to be unhappy. In Chapter 18 he goes about
exercising this right. Why is John so eager to claim his right to unhappiness and is he ultimately
successful in exercising this right? Why or why not?
Solitude
In Chapter 17, John and Mustapha Mond argue about the role that solitude plays in society.
When John travels to the lighthouse in Chapter 18, one of his goals is to be alone. What does
John hope to achieve during his time and why is solitude so important to this endeavor? Based
on the conclusion of the book, is John successful in his quest? Why or why not?
Atonement
In Chapter 17, John and Mustapha Mond argue about the relationship between human vice and
virtue and whether or not one should believe in God. The narrator describes the gathering at
the lighthouse as an orgy of atonement. Who is atoning for what in this ceremony and, based
on the results of the gathering, is it successful? What does the conclusion of the book suggest
about the value of religious belief?
Heroism
In Chapter 17, John and Mustafa Mond express sharply contrasting views about the role of
heroism in society. Whose views are supported by the conclusion of the book? Is John
ultimately portrayed as a hero? Why or why not?
Self-Indulgence vs. Self-Denial
In Chapter 17, John and Mustafa Mond argue about the benefits of self-indulgence vs. selfdenial. John struggles to deal with these competing impulses within himself. In what ways is the
conclusion of the book an expression of that inner struggle? What is the result of this inner
struggle for John and why?