The Obstacle Is the Way

By Erin Danielle Jeffs

A major theme from Brave New World that I want to address is the concept of happiness.  It would seem that immense happiness is not only the dominating emotion, but the only emotion, experienced by the people of the World State.  Much of this is through the use of soma, which seems to be this wonder drug that immediately induces feelings of joy and happiness.  Any sort of emotional hardships or overpowering negative emotions have been replaced with the soma-induced happiness.  The reasons for this are described at the end of the novel: to allow the government to more easily oppress their citizens.  As Mustapha Mond states, “‘We believe in happiness and stability’” (Huxley 203).  However, I want to discuss the use of soma on the individual level.  Assuming that soma was not a way for the government to effectively keep citizens under control, is there anything wrong with taking soma to maximize happiness? 

On a more personal note, I have been in therapy since I was fourteen, and I have been taking antidepressant medications since I was fifteen.  I have struggled with happiness; being happy and staying happy is just difficult for me.  As such, I absolutely cherish the times that I am happy.  Rereading Brave New World made me ask myself the following question.  If soma existed outside the fictitious World State, would I take it to boost my happiness?  Some people might argue that I already am, since I am taking antidepressants.  I think this can be a common misconception.  Antidepressants are not just some magical pill that permanently makes me happy.  I still feel all of the emotions, it just is that the sadness is less intense, and I am overall happier more frequently.  Believe me, I am by no means happy all the time.

I have been ruminating over this question for the past week.  I think that there is something to be said about feeling sadness.  Overcoming these obstacles is how I grow as a person.  When I think about my anxiety and depression levels when I was fifteen or sixteen and compare them to now, I have come such a long way.  These struggles have added to my character and helped build who I am as a person.  I also think it is important to note that I was the one who spearheaded this growth.  I had help along the way from my therapist, my family, my friends, as well as antidepressants; however, I ultimately was the one who put in the work to better my mental health.

There is something disquieting about the way in which soma is used by individual characters in Brave New World, and I think it is the fact that they do not put in work to overcome negative emotions.  First, the widespread use of soma almost stunts their development as people.  They never learn how to deal with the tougher parts of life, and so they stay stagnant.  Secondly, when they are happy, there is this disconnect.  As cliché as it is, there definitely is value in the journey and not the destination.  Even if the result is the same (in this case, happiness), the way in which one gets there, matters.  I think it is better to put in the work yourself than to just take soma.  I am not saying that one is unable to get help along the way, I certainly appreciate every person and every resource that has helped me, but I do think it is incredibly valuable to overcome hardships without some magical enhancement