Alphas and Betas

Alphas and Betas are at the top of the caste system, and perform the more intellectual jobs. Unlike the lower castes, Alphas and Betas are not clones, allowing for more individual personalities. Alphas wear gray, and Betas wear mulberry. Examples of Alphas include Thomas, Henry Foster, Mustapha Mond, Bernard Marx, Benito Hoover, and Helmholtz Watson. Some Betas included Lenina Crowne, Fanny Crowne, and Linda.

Gammas, Deltas, and Epsilons

The lower three castes do more menial and standardized work. As a result, they are usually clones. When being decanted, processes such as oxygen deprivation are used to ensure predictable mental and physical traits in each caste (with Epsilons having the greatest degree of oxygen deprivation, resulting in the greatest degree of brain damage). Gammas wear green, Deltas wear khakis, and Epsilons wear black. Gammas, Deltas, and Epsilons are conditioned to serve the higher ranking castes (Alpha and Beta). In Chapter 5, it states that “Everyone works for everyone else. We can’t do this without anyone. Even Epsilons are useful. We couldn’t do without Epsilons. Every one works for every one else. We can’t do this without anyone…”

(Each caste is split into “plus” and “minus” members.)

• Brave New World – Wikibooks, open books for an open world
  This is a study guide for the novel Brave New World by Aldous Huxley.
• The entire book is available online at www.huxley.net/bnw

2020.06.29 – This is from a graphic I came across and chose to copy here. I am too lazy right now to properly integrate it.

Alphas represent the intellectually superior group who run the factories. They are the highest social class and are further subdivided into Plus, Minus, or Double-Plus.
Betas have adequate intelligence living similarly to Alphas, but their positions require less thinking.
Gammas are semi-skilled workers; low-risk professionals or experts at repetitive tasks.
Deltas are mass-produced (literal clones) who lack individuality and tend to menial jobs.
Epsilons (also mass produced) can’t read or write. They work undesirable jobs like sewage labor and foundry-workers, and are referred to as semi-morons.