Bernard's Internal Conflict (Brave New World-5)

"The sight of her transfigured face was at once an accusation and an ironical reminder of his own separateness. He was as miserably isolated now as he had been when the service began--more isolated by reason of his unreplenished emptiness, his dead satiety. Separate and unatoned, while the others were being fused into the Greater Being; alone even in Morgana's embrace--much more alone, indeed, more hopelessly himself than he had ever been in his life before." (Page 86, Brave New World)


Bernard's conflict is very evident in this chapter. While attending his weekly Solidarity Service of hymns and people sleeping together, Bernard feels even more separated and isolated from society. Bernard feels empty and alone. This is contradictory to everyone else at the service. This is apparent through the woman, Fifi Bradlaugh,  who excitedly and contently states her bliss. She felt complete and she was "made perfect". This peaceful and replenishing moment was the sole purpose of the Solidarity Service. To the people who all participate in the service, they come together and fulfill their own desires and also fulfill the basis on which the society runs. Consequently, Bernard feels empty because of his internal conflict. Bernard is beginning to recognize that he feels differently on his societies approach to everything. He is beginning to question himself and his actions. Thus, a conflict is presented. Until Bernard takes some course of action, his internal conflict  will only increase. Therefore, I believe that Bernard is going to be the character in this book that begins to take a different approach to life in their world; an approach contrary to what everyone else believes.

Similar to the foreshadowing, by establishing the internal conflict of the character Bernard, the reader is able to see where the story may head. The internal conflict that Bernard is faced with demonstrates the type of person that Bernard is. As was aforementioned, the fact that Bernard seems to be one of the only characters who feels differently about the way their society runs, makes me think that the internal conflict that is being experienced will lead to some course of action.