Point Counter Point

Programme (2024/25)

“Point Counter Point” is a complex and ambitious work that explores a wide range of themes, including the intellectual, social, and moral issues of the time.

The novel is set in London and its surrounding countryside and features a large and diverse cast of characters, each representing different facets of society. Huxley employs a multiple narrative structure, following the lives and relationships of various characters, including scientists, artists, intellectuals, politicians, and socialites.

At its core, “Point Counter Point” is a social satire and a critique of the moral and intellectual dilemmas of the interwar period. It delves into the clash of ideas and values in a rapidly changing world. The characters engage in debates about science and religion, politics and art, love and marriage, and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe.

The title, “Point Counter Point“, suggests the novel’s structure, where opposing viewpoints and conflicting ideas are presented and juxtaposed throughout the narrative. Huxley uses this structure to explore the tensions and contradictions within society and the human condition itself.

Overall, “Point Counter Point” is a complex and thought-provoking work that offers a panoramic view of the intellectual and social landscape of its time. It is a novel of ideas, filled with sharp wit and satire, and it remains a significant work in Huxley’s literary oeuvre.

Reading for next lecture

– Brave New World