Brave New World Theme of Identity

Brave New World explores the classic conflict between the individual and society. In this particular case, personal identity has been sacrificed for the sake of a common good. A form of biological reproduction produces certain types of humans in batches – 96 identical copies of the same being. A social "caste" structure separates the citizens into five groups, the result being that a given individual is little more than a faceless, color-coded member of a larger group. Certain characters in the novel grow uncomfortable with this idea, are downright disgusted by it, or for one reason or another find that they just don't fit the mold. They seek to understand their individuality through isolation and self-exploration.

1. Think about the 96 identical Bokanovsky twins (and yes, we know, "twin" isn't the right word, but don't look at us, talk to Huxley). Is there any difference at all between, say, number 47 and number 62?
2. How do Bernard, Helmholtz, and John each seek to define themselves? Do any of them succeed?
3. All three of these men became aware of their individuality because they were somehow in isolation from the rest of their peers. What does solitude have to do with individuality?
4. In "Symbols, Imagery, and Allegory" we discussed animal imagery in Brave New World, and about the way that citizens have been dehumanized. But at the end of the day, are they more like people or animals?

Women in Brave New World are defined only by their function as sexual objects. This is the extent of every female's identity.

It is only by killing himself that John is able to maintain his identity as a human being instead of an animal.