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Explanation and Analysis:
Brave New World bridges several interrelated genres: it is a dystopian novel, as well as an example of both science fiction and speculative fiction. Published in 1932, the novel confronts eugenics and its sinister implications, following in a long line of writers who have used speculative fiction to enact their genetic engineering fantasies, hopes, dreams, and fears. As a dystopian, Brave New World is highly satirical, showcasing the dangers of progressive eugenics, instant gratification, overconsumption, and capitalism. Huxley published the novel at the tail end of the Modernist literary era, and as such, it reflects on the scientific and social scientific discoveries made in prior decades and some of their more sinister implications.
Eerily and tragically, many of Huxley's predictions about the future accurately describe contemporary society, particularly those on industry and consumption. As it stands, the current trajectory of global consumption is unsustainable for the environment. Fast-fashion companies dominate the industry, producing clothing that deteriorates quickly and often ends up in landfills—eerily akin to the acetate pants Huxley imagines, which are designed to disintegrate over time. In hindsight, well-written speculative fiction is often even more unsettling for future generations than it was at the time it was written.
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