"The Savage stood looking on. 'O brave new world, O brave new world...' In his mind the signing words seemed to change their tone. They had mocked him though his misery and remorse, mocked him with how hideous a note of cynical derision!" (Brave New World, page 210)
I was going back through all of my blogs and trying to figure out what to write about for my final blog. Then, I realized I never commented about John continually saying the phrase "O brave new world". I know this is an allusion to The Tempest. However, I am going to comment on something other than just the allusion aspect of this quote. Every time I read this line coming from John's mouth I found it ironic. From the very beginning John thought so much about this new world. John continually asked his mother questions about this "other place" and he always longed to be able to be apart of it. Yet, when John finally got the chance to be apart of this dream world, he didn't understand it at all and grew to despise every little detail about this society. I think this is similar to how people view a lot of things today. When something new is mentioned and described to people, often people are drawn and attracted to it. However, a lot of the time it turns out that it was better in theory or in thought. The concept of something new is exciting. Similarly, this is a theme that was established in Chapter 17 of the book. The New World society was based on new things. Old things were done away with because they were less exciting and they could not produce the happiness and prosperity of the society in which they lived. In result, the "perfect society" was one seriously messed up world. (In my opinion anyway).
Maybe this was another theme of the novel that the author was trying to relay back to the reader. We need to treasure everything that life hands us. Just because some things are less exciting or older doesn't mean they aren't as wonderful. By being open to a diversity of things, we open our eyes to a lot more and become better, well rounded individuals. In this way, maybe people can change and we can avoid living in a crazy, selfish world. Maybe there is hope for us all.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Overall Reaction
"Slowly, very slowly, like two hundred unhurried compass needles, the feet turned towards the right; north, north-east, east, south-east, south, south-south-west; then paused, and, after a few seconds, turned as unhurriedly back towards the left. South-south-west, south, south-east, east...." (Brave New World, page 259)
I definitely wasn't expecting the book to end this way. In fact, I thought it was a really weird ending. I had decided that John was the protagonist of the book because he had done the most to change the society in which he had been placed in. However, looking back, he really didn't do very much. And, in the end, he killed himself because he didn't know what else to do with the life he was living. He was tormented and tortured to the point where he didn't want to live anymore. I figured that out of all of the people in the book, John would be the one character that would find purpose and meaning in his life. John was the only one who had a different upbringing and this is why I concluded that he would change a lot more than what he actually did.
Also, I figured that there would be more of a direct and meaningful ending. Maybe there is and I'm just missing it. I'm sure we will talk about it in August. Throughout the entire book, it seemed like the author was trying to prove a point about society. I assumed that the ending of the book would really make you think about life and the meaning of life.
I definitely wasn't expecting the book to end this way. In fact, I thought it was a really weird ending. I had decided that John was the protagonist of the book because he had done the most to change the society in which he had been placed in. However, looking back, he really didn't do very much. And, in the end, he killed himself because he didn't know what else to do with the life he was living. He was tormented and tortured to the point where he didn't want to live anymore. I figured that out of all of the people in the book, John would be the one character that would find purpose and meaning in his life. John was the only one who had a different upbringing and this is why I concluded that he would change a lot more than what he actually did.
Also, I figured that there would be more of a direct and meaningful ending. Maybe there is and I'm just missing it. I'm sure we will talk about it in August. Throughout the entire book, it seemed like the author was trying to prove a point about society. I assumed that the ending of the book would really make you think about life and the meaning of life.
Well, that's one way to solve problems (Brave New World-18)
"'Savage!' called the first arrivals, as they alighted from their machine. 'Mr. Savage!'
There was no answer.
The door of the lighthouse was ajar. They pushed it open and walked into a shuttered twilight. Through an archway on the further side of the room they could see the bottom of the staircase that led up to the higher floors. Just under the crown of the arch dangled a pair of feet." (Brave New World, page 259)
The resolution to the book comes when John isolates himself in a lighthouse and actually ends up killing himself. Although, this was a strange ending to the book and not exactly the best way to solve the conflicts that arose in the book, I thought it was pretty symbolic. At then end of the novel, John found himself fighting against himself to find truth and purity in the world in which he was living. However, the world around him thought he was a freak and a sight to be laughed at and ridiculed. This is similar to a theme of the book. Throughout the entire story, there was a fight between some character and the rest of the society in which they were living. Ultimately at the end, the fight was between John and everyone else. He was the only one in the world in which he lived that was looking for the right ideals and values. Unfortunately, he could not find them and he ended up hanging himself. It didn't necessarily solve the problems that arose from the course of the novel, but it did show the theme of contrasting views that was apparent in every chapter of the novel.
There was no answer.
The door of the lighthouse was ajar. They pushed it open and walked into a shuttered twilight. Through an archway on the further side of the room they could see the bottom of the staircase that led up to the higher floors. Just under the crown of the arch dangled a pair of feet." (Brave New World, page 259)
The resolution to the book comes when John isolates himself in a lighthouse and actually ends up killing himself. Although, this was a strange ending to the book and not exactly the best way to solve the conflicts that arose in the book, I thought it was pretty symbolic. At then end of the novel, John found himself fighting against himself to find truth and purity in the world in which he was living. However, the world around him thought he was a freak and a sight to be laughed at and ridiculed. This is similar to a theme of the book. Throughout the entire story, there was a fight between some character and the rest of the society in which they were living. Ultimately at the end, the fight was between John and everyone else. He was the only one in the world in which he lived that was looking for the right ideals and values. Unfortunately, he could not find them and he ended up hanging himself. It didn't necessarily solve the problems that arose from the course of the novel, but it did show the theme of contrasting views that was apparent in every chapter of the novel.
The beauty of religion. Finally! (Brave New World-17)
"'We are not our own any more than what we possess is our own. We did not make ourselves, we cannot be supreme over ourselves. We are not our own masters. We are God's property. Is it not our happiness thus to view the matter? Is it any happiness or any comfort, to consider that we are our own? It may be thouught so by the young and prosperous. These may think it a great thing to have everything, as they suppose, their own way--to depend on no one--to have to think of nothing out of sight, to be without the irksomeness of continual acknowledgment, continual prayer, continual reference of what they do to the will of another. But as time goes on, they, as all men, will find that independence was not made for man--that it is an unnatural state--will do for a while, but will not carry us on safely to the end...'" (Brave New World, page 232)
This chapter surprised me. I never thought that actual religion would come into the novel. However, it is interesting to see how the Controller is aware of religion but refuses to implement it into society. Mustapha Mond tells John that if the people in the New World were to have religion, happiness would be not be reachable. The New World society is built upon stability. The society is built upon gratification of one self. However, the possibility of God and an actual purpose in life is a foreign concept. If religion were to be apart of the New World, the people would no longer feel in control of their own lives. Thus, the stability on which the society is built is lost. If people were to feel loss and to feel actual pain and suffering, a need for something greater (God) would be necessary. However, since no one (except John) feels this, religion is an inconceivable idea.
The society as a whole now makes sense to me. Everything goes back to how the people are conditioned at the very beginning of their existence. Because they are created and trained in an non-human way, they don't act like humans created by God who have the free will. Instead, they act like how they are programmed to act. They aren't given the gift to be an individual and therefore they cannot think about God's will for our lives.
This chapter surprised me. I never thought that actual religion would come into the novel. However, it is interesting to see how the Controller is aware of religion but refuses to implement it into society. Mustapha Mond tells John that if the people in the New World were to have religion, happiness would be not be reachable. The New World society is built upon stability. The society is built upon gratification of one self. However, the possibility of God and an actual purpose in life is a foreign concept. If religion were to be apart of the New World, the people would no longer feel in control of their own lives. Thus, the stability on which the society is built is lost. If people were to feel loss and to feel actual pain and suffering, a need for something greater (God) would be necessary. However, since no one (except John) feels this, religion is an inconceivable idea.
The society as a whole now makes sense to me. Everything goes back to how the people are conditioned at the very beginning of their existence. Because they are created and trained in an non-human way, they don't act like humans created by God who have the free will. Instead, they act like how they are programmed to act. They aren't given the gift to be an individual and therefore they cannot think about God's will for our lives.
What is happiness? (Brave New World-16)
"'The world's stable now. People are happy; they get what they want, and they never want what they can't get. They're well off; they're safe; they're never ill; they're not afraid of death; they're blissfully ignorant of passion and old age; they're plagued with no mothers or fathers; they've got no wives, or children, or lovers to feel strongly about; they're so conditioned that they practically can't help behaving as they ought to behave. And if anything should go wrong, they're soma.'" (Brave New World, page 220)
I'm beginning to wonder if Aldous Huxley purposefully made this book to show what an extreme version of our world would be like. The Controller, Mustapha Mond, stated how their society is a society based on consumerism. The society is full of citizens who want new things, thus old things are done away with. Working to create "social stability" is the sole purpose and in doing so, "happiness" is created. However, this happiness isn't the happiness that we all know of. "Happiness" is the instant gratification of whatever they can find that is new to them. Whatever makes the people feel good is what will make them happy. (Hello Hedonistic Society- my blog #3!!!)
Although our society isn't as extreme, we are very consumer driven. If something can satisfy our desires, it is automatically more attractive. Having more and consuming more makes people happy. Our world is so focused on producing materials and consuming materials. In fact, it is the basis of our economy. Supply and demand. If they supply it, we want it. It may be that the author didn't mean to compare the New World society with the society we live in today. Regardless, I think it is very true. The selfish and pleasuring society presented in the book and our daily lives is evident. It is almost scary to think of all of the awful things that could come of a society based on the wrong ideals...
I'm beginning to wonder if Aldous Huxley purposefully made this book to show what an extreme version of our world would be like. The Controller, Mustapha Mond, stated how their society is a society based on consumerism. The society is full of citizens who want new things, thus old things are done away with. Working to create "social stability" is the sole purpose and in doing so, "happiness" is created. However, this happiness isn't the happiness that we all know of. "Happiness" is the instant gratification of whatever they can find that is new to them. Whatever makes the people feel good is what will make them happy. (Hello Hedonistic Society- my blog #3!!!)
Although our society isn't as extreme, we are very consumer driven. If something can satisfy our desires, it is automatically more attractive. Having more and consuming more makes people happy. Our world is so focused on producing materials and consuming materials. In fact, it is the basis of our economy. Supply and demand. If they supply it, we want it. It may be that the author didn't mean to compare the New World society with the society we live in today. Regardless, I think it is very true. The selfish and pleasuring society presented in the book and our daily lives is evident. It is almost scary to think of all of the awful things that could come of a society based on the wrong ideals...
John to the rescue! (Brave New World-15)
"'Free, free!' the savage shouted, and with one hand continued to throw the soma into the area while, with the other he punched the indistinguishable faces of his assailants." (Brave New World, page 213)
I think I have finally established the protagonist. All along I thought that the protagonist would be Bernard, but it turns out to be John. John takes his rebellious attitude toward this society and puts it into action. He throws away their soma in effort to fix some of the problems with their world. He knows the danger that soma causes, seeing as it killed his mother, and he wants to show how happiness does not lie in soma or sex. John sees how soma is used for escaping every human emotion that people are supposed to experience. However, people in the New World do not experience any of these emotions. Instead, they remain like children and babies rather than deal with pain and suffering. By John taking action, he becomes the protagonist. John seems to be the one character who will actually do something and start to change the messed up world that everyone lives in. It will be interesting to see what John can do. Especially because at the end of the chapter he was taken away by the police. Even if John is unable to carry out and produce change in the New World, he will still be the one character who initiated a type of change in the society.
I think I have finally established the protagonist. All along I thought that the protagonist would be Bernard, but it turns out to be John. John takes his rebellious attitude toward this society and puts it into action. He throws away their soma in effort to fix some of the problems with their world. He knows the danger that soma causes, seeing as it killed his mother, and he wants to show how happiness does not lie in soma or sex. John sees how soma is used for escaping every human emotion that people are supposed to experience. However, people in the New World do not experience any of these emotions. Instead, they remain like children and babies rather than deal with pain and suffering. By John taking action, he becomes the protagonist. John seems to be the one character who will actually do something and start to change the messed up world that everyone lives in. It will be interesting to see what John can do. Especially because at the end of the chapter he was taken away by the police. Even if John is unable to carry out and produce change in the New World, he will still be the one character who initiated a type of change in the society.
A different outlook on death (Brave New World-14)
"They met his eyes and simultaneously grinned. One of them pointed with his eclair butt.
'Is she dead?' he asked.
The Savage stared at them for a moment in silence. Then in silence he rose to his feet, in silence slowly walked towards the door.
'Is she dead?' repeated the inquisitive twin trotting at his side.
The Savage looked down at him and still without speaking pushed him away. The twin fell on the floor and at once began to howl. The Savage did not even look round." (Brave New World, page 207)
I feel bad for John in this chapter. All his life, John has been surrounded by a completely different society. His mother constantly told stories of the glory of this "other place" and John longed to be able to see this place for himself. However, now that he is in this place with his dying mother, he wants nothing more but to be anywhere but in the "Park Lane Hospital for the Dying". In an unfamilar place, John is given anything but comfort. Instead, he is given a drugged mother who continually calls her son, Pope, a name of one of her former lovers that John absolutely hated. (The author is using an apostrophe here. To further add to the dying state of Linda, the author uses an apostrophe to show how her mind is completely gone.) The nurses in the hospital could care less about Linda's lifelessness, instead they focus only on the children and conditioning them properly to handle death. Now faced with the death of his mother, John doesn't know what to do or where to go. This whole chapter was an example of how different the Reservation society is from the New World society. Death is just a five letter word to the people in the New World. However, to John, death is real and sad. John is grieving, but unfortunately, he is alone. John is now stuck in a world where he doesn't belong, doesn't understand, and has no one else to turn to.
'Is she dead?' he asked.
The Savage stared at them for a moment in silence. Then in silence he rose to his feet, in silence slowly walked towards the door.
'Is she dead?' repeated the inquisitive twin trotting at his side.
The Savage looked down at him and still without speaking pushed him away. The twin fell on the floor and at once began to howl. The Savage did not even look round." (Brave New World, page 207)
I feel bad for John in this chapter. All his life, John has been surrounded by a completely different society. His mother constantly told stories of the glory of this "other place" and John longed to be able to see this place for himself. However, now that he is in this place with his dying mother, he wants nothing more but to be anywhere but in the "Park Lane Hospital for the Dying". In an unfamilar place, John is given anything but comfort. Instead, he is given a drugged mother who continually calls her son, Pope, a name of one of her former lovers that John absolutely hated. (The author is using an apostrophe here. To further add to the dying state of Linda, the author uses an apostrophe to show how her mind is completely gone.) The nurses in the hospital could care less about Linda's lifelessness, instead they focus only on the children and conditioning them properly to handle death. Now faced with the death of his mother, John doesn't know what to do or where to go. This whole chapter was an example of how different the Reservation society is from the New World society. Death is just a five letter word to the people in the New World. However, to John, death is real and sad. John is grieving, but unfortunately, he is alone. John is now stuck in a world where he doesn't belong, doesn't understand, and has no one else to turn to.
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