"It was the sort of idea that might easily decondition the more unsettled minds among the higher castes--make them lose their faith in happiness as the Sovereign Good and take to believing, instead, that the goal was somewhere beyond, somewhere outside the present human sphere; that the purpose of life was not the maintenance of well-being, but some intensification and refining of consciousness, some enlargement of knowledge. Which was, the Controller reflected, quite possibly true." (Brave New World, page 177)
From the very beginning of this book I had always thought that the people of this different society were almost like robots. They are trained from the very beginning of their life to act and behave a certain way. They didn't seem like individuals because they are all prompted to behave similarly. However, throughout the last few chapters and especially in chapter 12, I have noticed something contrary to my initial thinking. All of these people have emotions. Most of the people deal with their emotions by drowning their sorrows or other feelings in soma. I guess this is why I never really noticed the emotional state of these beings in previous chapters. They all just sort of deal with their emotions by drugging themselves. However, in this chapter, it became extremely evident that these people are actual people and not just some trained robot. For example, Bernard is "pale, distraught, abject and agitated" and he weeps when his attempt at a party fails miserably. Lenina is an emotional wreck when she is going through the possibilities of whether John may like her or not. Bernard feels jealous of Helmholtz's feeling of happiness and achievement. All of these little emotions further prove how human these people are. They are trained to believe certain things and act a particular way, but in the end they are individuals. They are able to think for themselves. The mind is a powerful thing. I think that if these people were to really use their brains and follow their emotions instead of what they have been trained to believe, their society would be completely different.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Life...it's overrated anyway...(Brave New World-11)
"'Of course,' Dr. Shaw went on, 'you can't allow people to go popping off into eternity if they've got any serious work to do. But as she hasn't go any serious work...'
'All the same,' John persisted, 'I don't believe it's right...'
The doctor shrugged his shoulders. 'Well, of course, if you prefer to have her screaming mad all the time...'
(Brave New World, page 155)
John is introduced to this "brave new world" but is actually appalled. John sees this new world as a inhumane and immoral place (I thought the same thing, John!). It doesn't help that John is viewed and regarded as a savage rather than an actual human being. However, most people in this "new world" have a different outlook on life.This simple fact becomes more evident in this chapter when John is the only person who is against his mother, Linda, taking an excessive amount of soma. The doctors are perfectly fine with this even though they know it will kill her within a month or two. Then the doctor explains to John that human beings are things that should be “used up until they wear out.”. This is sort of the epitome of what this "utopian" world is like. There isn't really a point to their life. They live their daily lives, pleasure themselves, and then eventually die. There is no regard or value in life. This concept is similar to Bernard calling Lenina "a piece of meat". People, and especially non-working people, are viewed as a type of material. People become unimportant and disposable when they cannot contribute to society any longer.
Ironically, I see a similarity with this in today's world. Although it isn't as extreme, the value of human life is somewhat taken for granted. Unless you can make a name for yourself, you aren't seen as good enough. We live in a society that is so media influenced that being yourself and being an individual isn't even valued anymore. People are so consumed with themselves and so focused on making sure that they have a good life that they forget to live their own lives. People forget the value of life and the purpose as to why we are living in the first place. Instead we focus on trivial, unimportant things. Unfortunately, this is similar to the "brave new world" that John is discovering.
Ironically, I see a similarity with this in today's world. Although it isn't as extreme, the value of human life is somewhat taken for granted. Unless you can make a name for yourself, you aren't seen as good enough. We live in a society that is so media influenced that being yourself and being an individual isn't even valued anymore. People are so consumed with themselves and so focused on making sure that they have a good life that they forget to live their own lives. People forget the value of life and the purpose as to why we are living in the first place. Instead we focus on trivial, unimportant things. Unfortunately, this is similar to the "brave new world" that John is discovering.
Monday, July 4, 2011
"The hive of industry" (Brave New World-10)
"The hands of all the four thousand electric clocks in all the Bloomsbury Center's four thousand rooms marked twenty-seven minutes past two. 'This hive of industry,' as the Director was fond of calling, was in the full buzz of work. Every one was busy, everything in ordered motion." (Brave New World, page 146)
Although the chapter itself has more to do with than just the industry of hatchery center, an important extended metaphor is created. The director (and the author) refer to the industry as a hive and it being "full buzz of work". They are comparing the industry to a bee hive and a colony of bees. In doing so, an image is painted of people working constantly and quickly to create their ideal society. It is interesting to view the hatchery center as a beehive. I also find it somewhat ironic to view the London hatchery as a beehive. In the hatchery, people work to create beings (in a very unnatural way) but nonetheless, they create humans for their society. Similarly, bees use their beehives to store food and the offspring bees being created. Just as people are being created in the hatchery, bees are being created in the hive. I find this interesting because it somewhat degrades the work of the hatchery workers and the society as a whole. They work together quickly and do the work they are required to do, however, they are being compared to bees. Bees are insects who pollinate things and reproduce, then pollinate and reproduce again. It is almost funny because this is a mindset that I have had since the beginning of the novel. These people are no better than insects or animals. They act on instinct and instinct alone. Subsequently, they are not able to see the beauty in the actuality of how life is supposed to be created. However, I doubt the author intended for the people to be compared to bees in this aspect. I think that Aldous Huxley was comparing the two in this way; the people and society in which they live is a busy and thriving society. It thrives because of the work and it is very routine and in this way it is similar to the work and life of a colony of bees. Now that the metaphor is presented, the reader is able to clearly see what life in this hatchery is really like according to the author's vision.
Although the chapter itself has more to do with than just the industry of hatchery center, an important extended metaphor is created. The director (and the author) refer to the industry as a hive and it being "full buzz of work". They are comparing the industry to a bee hive and a colony of bees. In doing so, an image is painted of people working constantly and quickly to create their ideal society. It is interesting to view the hatchery center as a beehive. I also find it somewhat ironic to view the London hatchery as a beehive. In the hatchery, people work to create beings (in a very unnatural way) but nonetheless, they create humans for their society. Similarly, bees use their beehives to store food and the offspring bees being created. Just as people are being created in the hatchery, bees are being created in the hive. I find this interesting because it somewhat degrades the work of the hatchery workers and the society as a whole. They work together quickly and do the work they are required to do, however, they are being compared to bees. Bees are insects who pollinate things and reproduce, then pollinate and reproduce again. It is almost funny because this is a mindset that I have had since the beginning of the novel. These people are no better than insects or animals. They act on instinct and instinct alone. Subsequently, they are not able to see the beauty in the actuality of how life is supposed to be created. However, I doubt the author intended for the people to be compared to bees in this aspect. I think that Aldous Huxley was comparing the two in this way; the people and society in which they live is a busy and thriving society. It thrives because of the work and it is very routine and in this way it is similar to the work and life of a colony of bees. Now that the metaphor is presented, the reader is able to clearly see what life in this hatchery is really like according to the author's vision.
Short chapter, big irony (Brave New World- 9)
"Then suddenly he found himself reflecting that he had only to take hold of the zipper at her neck and give it one long, strong pull...He shut his eyes, he shook his head with the gesture of a dogs shaking its ears as it emerges from the water. Detestable thought! He was ashamed of himself. Pure and vestal modesty..." (Brave New World, page 145)
So, from this chapter and especially this quote, we are able to see the type of person that John is. While Bernard is away, he searches through Lenina's belongings. He admires all of her clothes and the smells that fill the air. He finally sees Lenina lying on the bed asleep. John stares at her and swoons over her beauty. While gazing upon Lenina, John begins to quote Shakespeare. Not only is he quoting Shakespeare, but he is quoting the love story of Romeo and Juliet. He admires the beauty in Lenina and he longs to be able to touch her hand. He also imagines unzipping her jacket. However, he immediately stops thinking these absurd, "detestable thoughts" because he does not want to ruin her. He looks at her as a pure woman. However, this is very ironic. Although John views Lenina in an immaculate way, she is in fact the very opposite. Simply knowing the society that Lenina lives in would allow one to know the type of person she is. She is not a pure woman of "vestal modesty" but instead, she is a "piece of meat" as Bernard would say. Lenina knows that she is a woman to be used for her sexuality and she has no reason to feel as if this is wrong. Yet, John sees the beauty in her sexuality. He sees the beauty in the femininity of Lenina and he does not want to destroy it by touching her or unzipping her jacket. In creating this irony, the author allows the reader to further establish the differences between the two societies presented at this point. The reader is able to see how the morals and thought processes of the Reservation world and the other world differ. Furthermore, the reader is able to discern whether or not these differences in thinking will have an effect on the characters in the book.
So, from this chapter and especially this quote, we are able to see the type of person that John is. While Bernard is away, he searches through Lenina's belongings. He admires all of her clothes and the smells that fill the air. He finally sees Lenina lying on the bed asleep. John stares at her and swoons over her beauty. While gazing upon Lenina, John begins to quote Shakespeare. Not only is he quoting Shakespeare, but he is quoting the love story of Romeo and Juliet. He admires the beauty in Lenina and he longs to be able to touch her hand. He also imagines unzipping her jacket. However, he immediately stops thinking these absurd, "detestable thoughts" because he does not want to ruin her. He looks at her as a pure woman. However, this is very ironic. Although John views Lenina in an immaculate way, she is in fact the very opposite. Simply knowing the society that Lenina lives in would allow one to know the type of person she is. She is not a pure woman of "vestal modesty" but instead, she is a "piece of meat" as Bernard would say. Lenina knows that she is a woman to be used for her sexuality and she has no reason to feel as if this is wrong. Yet, John sees the beauty in her sexuality. He sees the beauty in the femininity of Lenina and he does not want to destroy it by touching her or unzipping her jacket. In creating this irony, the author allows the reader to further establish the differences between the two societies presented at this point. The reader is able to see how the morals and thought processes of the Reservation world and the other world differ. Furthermore, the reader is able to discern whether or not these differences in thinking will have an effect on the characters in the book.
A glimpse of John's early life (Brave New World-8)
"He shook his head. 'It's almost inconceivable. I shall never understand, unless you explain.'
'Explain what?'
'This.' He indicated the pueblo. 'That.' And it was the little house outside the village. 'Everything. All your life.'"
(Brave New World, page 123)
Bernard is able to speak to John and he asks him to tell him everything about his life as far back as he can remember. Bernard listens to John and truly wants to hear what John's life has been like. Bernard wants to understand this new, foreign world. Thus, the anecdote/flashback of John's early life begins. Purposefully, the author creates this flashback to show the differences of the Reservation life and the New World life. We see how John was brought up in his society. We also see how John is sort of a misfit in society because he was raised in the Reservation but raised by his mother who came from the "other world". Undoubtedly, John is a confused child. John only knows the life that he has experienced and the life that he lives in. However, he knows several stories of this "perfect life" that his mother lived in the "other world". I also found a similarity between the two characters of this chapter. Just as Bernard is looking for more in the world that he lives in, John is looking for more than the life that he is living. John is an outcast in his the society in which he lives. Bernard is an outcast in the society in which he lives. Both John and Bernard are looking to find something more and they long to fit in somewhere. The author effectively shows this point by explaining John's early life through an anecdote.
'Explain what?'
'This.' He indicated the pueblo. 'That.' And it was the little house outside the village. 'Everything. All your life.'"
(Brave New World, page 123)
Bernard is able to speak to John and he asks him to tell him everything about his life as far back as he can remember. Bernard listens to John and truly wants to hear what John's life has been like. Bernard wants to understand this new, foreign world. Thus, the anecdote/flashback of John's early life begins. Purposefully, the author creates this flashback to show the differences of the Reservation life and the New World life. We see how John was brought up in his society. We also see how John is sort of a misfit in society because he was raised in the Reservation but raised by his mother who came from the "other world". Undoubtedly, John is a confused child. John only knows the life that he has experienced and the life that he lives in. However, he knows several stories of this "perfect life" that his mother lived in the "other world". I also found a similarity between the two characters of this chapter. Just as Bernard is looking for more in the world that he lives in, John is looking for more than the life that he is living. John is an outcast in his the society in which he lives. Bernard is an outcast in the society in which he lives. Both John and Bernard are looking to find something more and they long to fit in somewhere. The author effectively shows this point by explaining John's early life through an anecdote.
Change in the story line...& the rising action begins (Brave New World-7)
"'She had gone walking alone in those mountains over there to the North, had fallen down a steep place and hurt her head. ('Go on, go on,' said Bernard excitedly.) Some hunters from Malpais had found her and brought her to the pueblo. As for the man who was his father, Linda had never seen him again. His name was Tomakin. (Yes, 'Thomas' was the D.H.C.'s first name.) He must have flown away, back to the Other Place, away without her--a bad, unkind, unnatural man.'" (Brave New World, page 118)
Well, I definitely wasn't expecting this one. But, it certainly created a new situation that may have an impact on the rest of the book. So, we are introduced to John and Linda. Linda, the former Beta, was impregnated by the D.H.C., Thomas (which the story told in chapter 6, foreshadowed!). Linda tells Bernard and Lenina of her life after living on the Reservation and her attempts to carry out her life that she had in "Other Place". This, however, proved to be unsuccessful seeing as the lifestyles of the Reservation and "Other Place" are completely different in several ways. Obviously, the purpose of the author putting these two characters in this chapter was to develop the story. The rising action is beginning because these two characters create a new complication in the story. As of right now, it is easy to see the contrast between the lifestyle described as "normal" that Lenina and Bernard experience and the lifestyle of the Reservation. Also, the contrast between John's way of life and Lenina's way of life is extremely evident. Also, the author shows a form of juxtaposition in both societies by contrasting the two. I predict that the two societies will somehow end up mixing and create the climax of the novel. I'm interested to see where the author will take the story from here.
Well, I definitely wasn't expecting this one. But, it certainly created a new situation that may have an impact on the rest of the book. So, we are introduced to John and Linda. Linda, the former Beta, was impregnated by the D.H.C., Thomas (which the story told in chapter 6, foreshadowed!). Linda tells Bernard and Lenina of her life after living on the Reservation and her attempts to carry out her life that she had in "Other Place". This, however, proved to be unsuccessful seeing as the lifestyles of the Reservation and "Other Place" are completely different in several ways. Obviously, the purpose of the author putting these two characters in this chapter was to develop the story. The rising action is beginning because these two characters create a new complication in the story. As of right now, it is easy to see the contrast between the lifestyle described as "normal" that Lenina and Bernard experience and the lifestyle of the Reservation. Also, the contrast between John's way of life and Lenina's way of life is extremely evident. Also, the author shows a form of juxtaposition in both societies by contrasting the two. I predict that the two societies will somehow end up mixing and create the climax of the novel. I'm interested to see where the author will take the story from here.
Another blog about Bernard (Brave New World-6)
"'But I do,' he insisted. 'It makes me feel as though...' he hesitated, searching for words with which to express himself, 'as though I were more me, if you see what I mean. More on my own, not so completely a part of something else. Not just a cell in the social body. Doesn't it make you feel like that, Lenina?'" (Brave New World, page 90)
So, I know my past 2 blogs have been about Bernard, but as of right now, he seems like the only character in the book that has some hope. Every other character in this book is so wrapped up in their own self-pleasure & hedonistic world (it has become even more apparent in the past chapter than it was when I wrote about hedonism in my third blog). It actually kind of makes me really disturbed to thing about the type of world that these people live in. This society is based around the fundamental principles of the technological advances of the time of President Ford. So much so that they revere Ford as a god. These people are disgusted and embarrassed of the thought of having actual parents. Every being in society regards their sexuality as something to use for their own benefit rather than it's actual purpose. I know that I am a sheltered, conservative Catholic girl, but still, these concepts on which their society is based is just absolutely absurd. This is why I'm writing about Bernard again. Bernard is still a little confused right now with everything that is going on in the culture in which he lives. However, as the quote above shows, Bernard knows that there is more to life that having sex and living as a community to create this happy-go-lucky, "pretend that everything is okay" world. Bernard is searching to find himself. Bernard feels and knows that he is stuck in this society where "everyone belongs to everyone" and he doesn't want to be apart of it anymore. It is all of these little details about Bernard's demeanor that give me hope for his character. There is more to Bernard than the rest of the characters in this book. Bernard sees that there is an actual human being with feelings beyond the fixated version that everyone is "created" to be. He also realizes more than anyone what is going on and he may be the one person that changes things in this world.
So, I know my past 2 blogs have been about Bernard, but as of right now, he seems like the only character in the book that has some hope. Every other character in this book is so wrapped up in their own self-pleasure & hedonistic world (it has become even more apparent in the past chapter than it was when I wrote about hedonism in my third blog). It actually kind of makes me really disturbed to thing about the type of world that these people live in. This society is based around the fundamental principles of the technological advances of the time of President Ford. So much so that they revere Ford as a god. These people are disgusted and embarrassed of the thought of having actual parents. Every being in society regards their sexuality as something to use for their own benefit rather than it's actual purpose. I know that I am a sheltered, conservative Catholic girl, but still, these concepts on which their society is based is just absolutely absurd. This is why I'm writing about Bernard again. Bernard is still a little confused right now with everything that is going on in the culture in which he lives. However, as the quote above shows, Bernard knows that there is more to life that having sex and living as a community to create this happy-go-lucky, "pretend that everything is okay" world. Bernard is searching to find himself. Bernard feels and knows that he is stuck in this society where "everyone belongs to everyone" and he doesn't want to be apart of it anymore. It is all of these little details about Bernard's demeanor that give me hope for his character. There is more to Bernard than the rest of the characters in this book. Bernard sees that there is an actual human being with feelings beyond the fixated version that everyone is "created" to be. He also realizes more than anyone what is going on and he may be the one person that changes things in this world.
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