Wednesday, October 3, 2012

BBW: An instinctive hatred of books

Books and loud noises, flowers and electric shocks–already in the infant mind these couples were compromisingly linked; and after two hundred repetitions of the same or a similar lesson would be wedded indissolubly. What man has joined, nature is powerless to put asunder.

"They'll grow up with what the psychologists used to call an 'instinctive' hatred of books and flowers. Reflexes unalterably conditioned. They'll be safe from books and botany all their lives." The Director turned to his nurses. "Take them away again."

Still yelling, the khaki babies were loaded on to their dumb-waiters and wheeled out, leaving behind them the smell of sour milk and a most welcome silence.

-- Brave New World, Aldous Huxley, Chapter Two, 1932.

Like Harper Lee, Aldous Huxley can often be found on the Frequently Challenged books list. This year he once again made the top 10.

For those in the US - Learn how your state is celebrating the freedom to read


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