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A Brave New World controversy

November 17, 2010 @ 2:33 am (Updated: 3:46 pm - 3/28/11 )

Something 10th graders at Nathan Hale High School in Seattle did was so upsetting to a student and her mom that it's resulted in a curriculum change at the school, and apologies from the principal.

What were they doing? Reading. Reading Aldous Huxley's Brave New World as part of their language arts curriculum.

BraveNewWorldWhile the book is the center of a new controversy in Seattle, the debate about the fictional story has gone on for decades. The American Library Association ranks Brave New World as number 36 on the list of the top 100 books people have either banned or tried to ban.

Set in the year 2540, the book depicts a world in which everyone's life is predetermined. Boys and girls are conditioned at birth to fulfill already designated societal roles. As a result, everyone grows up happy. Or, almost everyone. The conflict in the novel arises when a few people try to fight the system that's running and ruining their lives.

Sarah Sense-Wilson's daughter was required to read the novel for a class at Nathan Hale. She is Native American, and her heart started to sink as she turned the pages to find more than 30 references to "savage natives."

"She was very upset and she said, 'Mom I need to tell you something, but I don't want you to get mad. There's a book I have to read in my class and it portrays Indian people as being savages and living on reservations,'" Sense-Wilson says.

She tried to read the book for herself.

"I was outraged when I read through the book. I had to keep putting it down because it was so hurtful," says Sense-Wilson. "It was traumatizing to read how Indian people were being depicted."

The text has a "high volume of racially offensive derogatory language and misinformation on Native Americans. In addition to the inaccurate imagery, and stereotype views, the text lacks literary value which is relevant to today's contemporary multicultural society," she wrote in a complaint earlier this year to Nathan Hale and district administrators.

How important is Brave New World for the 10th grade language arts curriculum at Nathan Hale?

The chair of the language arts department, Shannon Conner, defended the merits of the book calling it a "superb warning book about our future. Huxley cautions his future readers from becoming too reliant on, and compliant with, technology." But at the same time, the high school apologized and determined that the "cultural insensitivity embedded in this book makes it an inappropriate choice as a central text in our 10th grade curriculum."

They are no longer using the book. Sense-Wilson says she's "proud of" the way Nathan Hale has responded.

"They've really listened, they have invited us to be part of the school, they now have a a native club and they're extending themselves to really try to repair that damage," she says.

Why is this book still an issue? Sense-Wilson wants other high schools in Seattle to stop using it in their curriculum too. The Seattle School board is meeting this afternoon to discuss the use of the book Brave New World.

Sense-Wilson wants to make her position clear. She is not trying to ban the book.

"We are not about book burning and we're not radicals," she says. "We're not trying to in any way censor that book, we're just saying it does not belong in high school. It is not appropriate for the curriculum."

If the book is an important or interesting novel for teenagers, she suggests putting it in the library.

"Then if students want to go to the library and check that book out and read it for their own entertainment, that's fine," says Sense-Wilson. "Most of the kids I've talked to don't even like the book so I doubt it would even get an audience in the library."

Incidentally, any resident in the Seattle school district, or any parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the district, may challenge instructional materials schools use. The district has a 10-step process to determine if the complaint about a book or material is justified.

Update: Brave New World approved in Seattle high schools

More from Linda Thomas

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Comments (68)


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  • 78 cougar wrote...
    What should I do tonight?
    November 18, 2010 9:42 am
    Get myself a copy of Brave New World, read it while sipping on a 4 loco.
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  • mkrsmrk wrote...
    That's what I can do...
    November 18, 2010 12:00 pm
    Should a school afraid of provocative and challenging material deserve the support of its parent community? At the Nathan Hale benefit auction this Saturday my wallet will say "no"(http://nathanhale.org/).
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  • Max23 wrote...
    Cowardly
    November 18, 2010 1:24 pm
    Here is the transcript of the meeting which took place between Sense-Wilson and Nathan Hale's Administration: Sense-Wilson: I want this book banned; it made my daughter cry. NH Administrator: Well, we're sorry, but beneath the literal surface of the text, there is a deeper meaning which reveals the irony of the author. Huxley is actually portraying the First People's through the eyes of the Brave New World citizens whose lives we should look down on, not the First People's: Huxley meant to show them in a positive light. Sense-Wilson: What about ironing? I know I have ironing, but... NH Administrator: I said "irony"; the derogatory terms are supposed to be taken ironically--thus actually elevating the First People's status in the reader's eyes. Sense-Wilson: Yeah, whatever. My daughter cried. NH Administator: Is there anything else? Sense-Wilson: Yeah. I'm going to sue your ___. NH Administrator: (thinking) "Did she say sue? We've already lost funding because of our standardized test results! This lawsuit could sink us even if we do win and stand up for our principles. Gosh darnit...what should I do?" (says) You're are absolutely right Mrs. Sense-Wilson, absolutely right: this is disgusting literature, disgusting. Now, how about you and I go out for lunch at Jack-in-the-Box?
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  • jc_1110 wrote...
    She's overly sensitive
    November 18, 2010 3:39 pm
    The purpose of Native American reference in the book is not to insult anyone, so I don't know why she's so quick to jump up at it when she hasn't even understand the point Huxley's trying to make. On the other hand, even if she is going to protest against the book, the sexual reference in it should be more of her primary concern for her tenth-grade daughter.
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  • trisarahtops wrote...
    Blatant Misinterpretation
    November 18, 2010 4:18 pm
    Huxley's Brave New World is a necessary component of the English classroom. Its depiction of the future is eerily plausible, and students should have a chance to discuss the book and the similarities Brave New World has with our world. To say that this book is offensive to First Nations is absolutely ridiculous. Huxley is not supporting the futuristic world he portrays, and isn't being derogatory towards First Nations. In my opinion, the First Nations are shed in a positive light. They still love and have long-term relationships, they have free will, they get to grow old, they're not doped up on drugs all the time. It's Huxley's version of a utopia in his obviously flawed society. This is in no way meant to insult First Nations; the savage reservation is meant to point out the flaws in the Brave New World society and to act as a society with which the more technologically advanced one can be compared.
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  • pixies835 wrote...
    Controversy?
    November 18, 2010 4:35 pm
    It's hard to believe that in our day and age we can still ban books from a school curriculum. With what we see on TV and what we read in the newspaper, one would think we would be used to racism, sexism, murder, war, and most other evils. In history class we learn about the Third Reich. We learn about the Cambodian and Rwandan genocides. We learn about colonization and the mistreatment of the Native Peoples of the Americas. In science we learn about global warming, green house gasses, and the imminent effects our planet will undergo. Do kids find these subjects upsetting? Certainly. Should we remove those lessons from our curriculum as well? Certainly not. The reason we are taught about the horrors and mistakes of the past is so we don't repeat them in the future. We do not want the next generation to be naive and ignorant. We want educated minds who can evaluate and think through their choices by drawing on what they learnt from school, the present, and the past. The banning of controversial books would do nothing more than slow down the moral and ethical development of kids. These are the books that spur on discussions that dig deep into the human psyche and allow kids to learn what's right and what's wrong. Furthermore, a book like Brave New World does not solely target Native Americans, in fact more of the criticism is placed on caucasians. They are portrayed as underdeveloped druggies and sex-addicts who experience no intellectual stimulation. They are portrayed as nothing more than herds of cattle. The "savages" on the other hand, although they are labeled that way, are the people who resemble us. They are the ones we connect with, not the white machines. The reason this book was banned from the high school probably stemmed from certain mistakes. Clearly, Sense-Wilson did not understand that the book portrayed a dystopia, and that in fact Huxley was criticizing, not condoning the treatment of the savages. Secondly, although many kids are ready to read such a book at the grade 10 levels, some are not. This is perfectly understandable, there are many issues dealt with in it that need a certain maturity from the reader. Thirdly, it is the job of the teacher to explain what the book is trying to do, and why it has received so much literary merit. It is upsetting that such an incredible read was banned from the curriculum, and I hope more people come to realize it.
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  • marygoround wrote...
    If books were never controversial...
    November 18, 2010 4:37 pm
    Books are included into a curriculum usually on the grounds that they could offer an insight or interesting look into a particular subject. In the case of BNW, the subject matter varies tremendously, and is not limited to parallels between a "savage" reservation and North American history. When reading this book it is important to realize the context and purpose of the story. Brave New World was written in the 1930s-- when attitudes towards sexuality, different races, and human rights were drastically different. In this context, Huxley neither promotes these attitudes nor praises them; in fact he offers them as extrapolations into a future that could be potentially destructive. We are meant to relate to the independent and emotive "savages" of the story, not treat them as though they were inferior. That being said, it is also necessary to understand that this ban was not suggested out of malice or ignorance, but simply because it was thought to be inappropriate or too mature for grade 10 students. It can be said that this book is a highly uncomfortable read, and its predictions are disturbingly accurate considering the year in which it was written. It should be considered controversial, and should provoke discussion-- but banning it entirely will not settle the debate, only muffle it.
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  • indianapolis18 wrote...
    Misinterpreted.
    November 18, 2010 5:00 pm
    "Brave New World" is not only a sought after piece of literature, but it is also a great book for looking into the deeper meaning of society and what it can cosequently become. To remove this book from the curriculum would truly be a mistake. After reading the book myself at a deeper level I can see how words like "savages" can be misinterpreted from just a basic read. The savages in the book are really a comparison to people in our present day and age; no race specified. Another problem is that this book deals with mature content, that probably should not be introduced at a grade 10 level to begin with.
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  • jack8888 wrote...
    Unwise to Eradicate
    November 18, 2010 5:06 pm
    Consider all the aspects of the Brave New World. The book explores society in its entirety, and the predictions the author has for its journey in history. Huxley creates a world which, at his time, is unimaginable. In fact, the response to the book in 1932 was vastly negative, being criticized as a book with a weak plot and characterisation. It is also among the top 100 most banned books in history. Many controversial subjects are aroused in the book, such as drug use and sexuality. However, one must understand the greater concept, the truth behind Huxley’s intentions. As an author with a purpose, on cannot always agree with what one is writing. Huxley is demonstrating his thoughts on the society, and how he feels it will change in the future. He may not agree with his predictions, but to remain honest to his intentions, he must follow through and write about them. Huxley thus creates an “ideal” society, which reflects many relevant and severely important issues in the real society. The Brave New World society is made up of artificially grown humans, scientific advancements, and behemoth cities. The people are all happy with who they are, and their place in their society. Huxley creates a world where parenthood is frowned upon, child fondling is encouraged, drug use is approved and “normal” people are viewed as savages. The author does not necessarily agree with what he writes, and in fact, when reading between the lines, we understand that he is criticizing our society. These critics are directed towards the people of the Brave New World society, the people who Huxley believes will soon be comparable to those of his very own society. While some readers may view the descriptions of the people abiding in the reservations as racist and cruel, others understand that these descriptions are what the people of the Brave New World society truly believe. Huxley does not directly attack the Indians of the Reservation, if they are even aboriginal. He is merely providing deeper insight as to what the people of the society think of them. First off, we must understand that the people who live in the reservation are not necessarily Indians. They are people who are not raised in the Brave New World society. It is also important to understand that people of the society are not accustomed to the ways of these people. Their reaction to them is what Huxley is condemning. That brings us to the second point. Huxley is commenting on our prejudices. When reading between the lines, we understand that there is no attack to the people of the Reservation. Rather, there is a humiliation of those who react negatively to those people. Huxley is commenting on our society as being one that cannot see difference as a good thing, and he is condemning it through Bernard Marx. It must be clear that the Brave New World criticizes legitimate and relevant issues in our society, like human cloning and medicine, social interactions and the future of our government, ways, and methods. There is no time for the author to commit racial attacks, nor any reason for Huxley to draw the reader away from the point with cruel prejudices. If there is a solution to this problem, it would be to relocate the Brave New World in the curriculum, presenting it to an older and more educated grade 12 audiences, rather than a more impressionable young grade 10 one. Reading the Brave New World is important for us to understand the direction in which we are heading, and to view what the world may be like if we do not change our prejudices, our methods, or in fact do change our methods and way of life. It is a book questioning our morale, our intellect, and our behaviour.
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  • VA Teach wrote...
    Mixed feelings
    November 18, 2010 5:09 pm
    As an AP teacher, I too have this as required reading for my students. I would say that approximately 95% of my students LOVE this text, and in more than one case it is the book that positively changes the perception of required reading in high school. Most students, all over the globe most likely, automatically expect required reading to be boring and "out of date." Though we work to help our students make connections and see that literature is universal and therefore always relevant to their lives, it doesn’t always work. During the discussion of this book, however, my kids “get it.” I explain to them every year that I choose this over 1984 because it could happen to us. Americans would never let 1984 happen, for we are too interested in instant gratification, which is all the World State has to offer in Huxley’s dystopia. In a lecture by Huxley at UC Berkeley in 1962, he said that in his dystopia he satirically offered up a world that was so enjoyable that people were submissive, “lov[ing] their servitude.” I am hopelessly optimistic when my former students find Nathan Hale High School’s decision to be outrageous and share it with me, for their passion offers evidence that we can have a bright future full of thinking, discerning citizens who would rather experience passion, disquietude and pain than live a world of manufactured happiness. Though his work seems even more prophetic now than in 1932 with the reality shows that are crowding prime time TV, the threaded discussion I have had with my students on Facebook makes me think hope is not lost for us yet. I will not cheapen Ms. Sense-Wilson’s daughters feelings: she felt uncomfortable and demeaned by what she saw as an ignorant depiction of her proud heritage, but what strikes me as curious about this situation is that, according to the article, the parent and child continue to be under the assumption that the reserve was peopled by Native-Americans. However, the text itself doesn’t really support this perception. This futuristic book’s reserve is indeed located in North America, most likely in New Mexico, but there is strong evidence that it is populated by non-native Americans or the medley that would populate North America by 2540. Their religious ceremony, for example, blends pagan and Catholic symbols, lending evidence to the argument that if this is indeed an insulting and demeaning representation, it is so toward the whole of America. I would give anything to know if, as I assume they would, the English department of the high school tried to show this and other evidence to the family. As I know all too well that often teachers are blamed for decisions made well over their pay grade, I will not jump to the conclusion that the teachers are awful for “wimping out” on this issue. The article is careful to distinguish the chairperson’s position from that of the school. As a rule, it is in our DNA as literature teachers to fight for kids, provocative literature, and the importance of experiencing uneasiness with our reading selections. I am sure they also argued, as many people have on this page, that the reserve is preferable to the World State. However, as much as this saddens me for Nathan Hale High School, I am selfishly thrilled. Nothing helps me sell a book’s merit than to say it has been banned. In 2007 after Charleston, West Virginia’s school board banned two of Pat Conroy’s novels, he wrote this letter to the editor: http://www.patconroy.com/articles_cg-10-07.php If only Huxley was able to do the same.
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