An Opiate is a narcotic substance to clarify things for all of you. It is derived from the Latin, through Greek opos, which mean "vegetable juice"...but just think how the Greeks were conotating the word...a liquid extract that is vegetal in nature was most likely refering to a mind altering, narcotic (sedating) substance coming from some plant or herb. The tie to Brave New World was great because the overlying theme of a sedating vacation pill called "Soma" (an opiate) neatly parallels organized religions' promise of a happy place called Heaven, a place away from home (reality)...it almost retails at the same price, as well: your soul. Karl Marx was outlining this ideology for you in the previously mentioned quote.
An Opiate is a narcotic substance to clarify things for all of you. It is derived from the Latin, through Greek opos, which mean "vegetable juice"...but just think how the Greeks were conotating the word...a liquid extract that is vegetal in nature was most likely refering to a mind altering, narcotic (sedating) substance coming from some plant or herb. The tie to Brave New World was great because the overlying theme of a sedating vacation pill called "Soma" (an opiate) neatly parallels organized religions' promise of a happy place called Heaven, a place away from home (reality)...it almost retails at the same price, as well: your soul. Karl Marx was outlining this ideology for you in the previously mentioned quote.