Characters

People in Brave New World by Aldous Huxley are strictly hierarchically divided into five groups. The groups’ names are derived from the first letters of the Greek alphabet. Alphas, Betas, Gammas, Deltas, and Epsilons can be recognized by their appearance and their clothes, which are identical in color. Each caste is a strictly segregated group that fulfills certain economic functions and carries out its own leisure activities.

The main characters of the novel belong to the higher castes (Alpha and Beta) and are therefore unique. Mustapha Mond, Bernard, the Director, and Helmholtz are highly intelligent. They are the intellectual elite and belong to the most privileged group in the World State. Lenina, the laboratory assistant, is a Beta, does skilled work and represents an adapted and conforming citizen of the World State.

Every caste fulfills an important role in the futuristic society. Citizens are made aware of this already as children through conditioning. The rigid class system does not allow people to move up or down the social ladder. Those who rebel against the caste system are simply deported. For example, Helmholtz and Bernard are sent to an island where other rebels like them are living separately.

In our thorough characterizations, we’ll describe thirteen main and minor characters of the novel. In addition to their appearance, their occupation, and their social position, we’ll also highlight their main characteristics.