Soma is a fictional substance in Aldous Huxley's novel "Brave New World." It is described as a "perfect" drug that provides a sense of euphoria and pleasure, while also eliminating anxiety and pain. In the novel, soma is used by the characters as a way to escape from the realities of their society and to cope with the challenges of their lives.
One of the most famous quotes about soma in the novel is when the character Mustapha Mond, a high-ranking official in the World State, says, "What you have to do is take a holiday from reality. That's what soma's for." This quote suggests that soma is used as a way to escape from the difficulties and hardships of life, and to find temporary relief from the stresses of the world.
Another quote about soma comes from the character Bernard Marx, who says, "I'm tired of all this superficially-cheerful, always-smiling, eternal-optimism. I want to be myself. I want to be able to think what I want to think and feel what I want to feel." This quote highlights the idea that soma is used to suppress true emotions and individuality, and to maintain a false sense of happiness and conformity.
A third quote about soma comes from the character Lenina Crowne, who says, "What I really want is to be as happy as I can be. And that means having as many soma tablets as I can get." This quote demonstrates the addictive nature of soma, as the characters become reliant on it in order to feel happy and satisfied.
Overall, the quotes about soma in "Brave New World" reveal the dangers of using drugs as a way to escape from reality and suppress emotions. They highlight the idea that true happiness and fulfillment cannot be found through external substances, but must come from within oneself.
