Wednesday, July 31, 2013

In Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, how did the riot squad calm the crowd?

In Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, John instigates a riot when he tries to free the crowds from the influence of soma. The policemen who calm the riot use two main tools to prevent the riot from spreading. 


First, they pump the air with soma vapor. The calming effects of the drug take immediate effect. Soma placates people, allowing them to relax and pacify any conflict or difficult emotions. 


Next, police use an audio system: the Synthetic Music Box. Instead of music, they play a calm voice repeating the same sentiments at an overwhelming volume. It refers to the listeners as friends and pleads with them to stop. The speech itself is entitled "Synthetic Anti-Riot Speech Number Two (Medium Strength)," and it is delivered by a Voice. Huxley's decision to capitalize the first letter in the word voice transforms the term into a proper noun that commands recognition, much like a name. This deliberate choice, combined with the soma and the speech itself, result in a powerfully calming combination. 

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