2. What is it?
The theory that increasing consumption of
goods is economically desirable. It encourages
the acquisition of goods and services in ever-
greater amounts.
3. Who?
While some claim that change was propelled by the
growing middle-class who embraced new ideas about
luxury consumption and the growing importance of fashion
as a “go between” for purchasing rather than necessity,
many critics argue that consumerism was a political and
economic necessity for the reproduction of capitalist
competition for markets and profits.
4. When?
Emerged in the late seventeenth century and
intensified throughout the eighteenth century.
6. Why?
Because since people had more money they
bought more things and wanted more things so
they earned more money… this goes on as a
loop.
7. How?
This pattern was particularly visible in London
where the gentry and prosperous merchants
took up residence and created a culture of
luxury and consumption that was slowly
extended across the socio-economic divide.
9. 1. "Ending is better than mending. The more stitches, the
less riches." Chapter 3, pg. 49, paragraph 7.
2. Pg. 29 and the book in general
3. “But simultaneously we condition them to love all
country sports. At the same time, we see to it that all
country sports shall entail the use of elaborate
apparatus. So that they consume manufactured articles
as well as transport.” Chapter 2, pg. 23, paragraph 2.
Examples of Consumerism in Brave
New World
10. 1
They are taught that when a good is in need of
repair, they must do away with it. By not owning
the latest and greatest good, the people within
the World State are considered lowly and
lesser beings.
11. 2
The children were taught that books and
flowers are bad so the government can show
them what THEY want.
12. 3
This is an example of consumerism because
they are conditioning the kids that they have to
love all country sports so that they consume
manufactured articles and transport, which
would be like advertising both.
13. Conclusion
In Brave New World, people are controlled by inflicting pleasure. The World
State thrives on consumerism by keeping its citizens in need of unnecessary
material items. It’s like a prediction of what we have become. People identify
themselves by what they own, rather than by something less superficial.The
people within Brave New World have no choice in what they do. They are
taught to never question and constantly consume. The government in Brave
New World does not allow any books or any other access to knowledge that
would cause someone to question the world they live in because "You can't
consume much if you sit still and read books". Chapter 3, pg. 35, paragraph