Ignorance is Bliss

"People are happy; they get what they want, and they never want what they can't get. They're well off; they're safe; they're never ill; they're not afraid of death; they're blissfully ignorant of passion and old age; they're plagued with no mothers or fathers; they've got no wives, or children, or lovers to feel strongly about; they're so conditioned that they practically can't help behaving as they ought to behave." (pg. 220)

At this point in the novel, I think it is necessary to go back to my earlier question- is there a difference between real happiness and thinking you are happy? Now, I know that there is. The happiness that the people of Brave New World live with is not true happiness; it is ignorance. I suppose, in this context, the saying "ignorance is bliss" is proven to be true. However, I believe that happiness is built around passion, around overcoming hardships, about learning to appreciate little things. The members of society don't do any of these things, because they don't feel passion or love or despair. So- do they truly feel happiness? I don't think so. Truthfully, they are most "happy" when they are able to forget about the world and go on a soma-holiday. Most happy when they aren't in their own world? What is wrong with this picture? The idea of a world of ignorant bliss may be appealing to some, but I don't think giving up love and passion is worth it.

"Where can we find happiness? Happiness is not found in a tranquil life free of storms and tempests. Real happiness is found in the struggles we undergo to realize our goals, in our efforts to move forward. "

"We each move forward secure on our own earth, not the earth of others. Happiness is something we must create for ourselves. No one else can give it to us. "