What is a home?-5

"Home, home-a few small rooms, stiflingly over-inhabited by a man, by a periodically teeming woman, by a rabble of boys and girls of all ages. No air, no space; an understerilized prison; darkness, disease, and smells." (Brave New World, page 37)


The Contoller is explaining to the students what past life was like with family and homes. In our world today, the family and the home are extremely important to almost every human being. Most people today visualize the home as a place of love and comfort and a place to go to when all else fails. However, the Controller's description of the home is situational irony. It is the complete opposite of what the reader knows and expects. 


This situational irony really puts into perspective the atmosphere and tone of the novel. The Controller's explanation of the home provides an evil and destructive image and makes the students cringe just thinking about it. The description of the past and how awful homes and families were helps the reader understand why the Hatchery and Condition Centre exists. How reproduction works and why every one belongs to every one else is starting to make sense. There are still plenty of unanswered questions though...