Friday, July 8, 2011
Final Reflection
"'In fact,' said Mustapha Mond, 'you're claiming the right to be unhappy." Page 240
The title of this book is entirely relevant to its outcome. At the beginning of the book, Bernard and Helmholtz are themselves searching for a new world to live and develop in. When Bernard and Lenina go to the Indian Reservation, they are travelling into a new world. John, on his trip to London, is on his way to a new world. Even up to the end, when John commits suicide, he is yet travelling again to a Brave New World. Yet in the end, despite John's tragic end, one must wonder who was truly happier. John felt human emotions and lived through human experiences. Although his life was shorter, he knew more of happiness than most people ever would.
The title of this book is entirely relevant to its outcome. At the beginning of the book, Bernard and Helmholtz are themselves searching for a new world to live and develop in. When Bernard and Lenina go to the Indian Reservation, they are travelling into a new world. John, on his trip to London, is on his way to a new world. Even up to the end, when John commits suicide, he is yet travelling again to a Brave New World. Yet in the end, despite John's tragic end, one must wonder who was truly happier. John felt human emotions and lived through human experiences. Although his life was shorter, he knew more of happiness than most people ever would.
An End to Savagery
"Like a madman, he was slashing at her with his whip of small cords." Page 257
John was a pitiful creature throughout this story. He was an outcast growing up at the reservation. None of the other boys accepted him because of his light skin and hair. When he finally came into the civilized world that his mother Linda had told him of, he was again an outcast, called a savage for his upbringing. No one accepted John for the individual he was. Perhaps this was a message Huxley was trying to convey. Either way, this constant disowning from the two extremes of human existence caused John to eventually take his own life.
John was a pitiful creature throughout this story. He was an outcast growing up at the reservation. None of the other boys accepted him because of his light skin and hair. When he finally came into the civilized world that his mother Linda had told him of, he was again an outcast, called a savage for his upbringing. No one accepted John for the individual he was. Perhaps this was a message Huxley was trying to convey. Either way, this constant disowning from the two extremes of human existence caused John to eventually take his own life.
New vs. Old
"'But the tears are necessary.'" Page 238
John brings up an excellent point. To those living in it, the stable, civilized world seems perfect. No discomfort, no suffering, no want for anything. However, John sees it as it really is. He sees it as boring and who dwell in it as slaves. He tells the Controller that he would rather have suffering because it meant happiness. Without unhappiness, how could one ever be truly happy? How can you be happy if you've never cried?
John brings up an excellent point. To those living in it, the stable, civilized world seems perfect. No discomfort, no suffering, no want for anything. However, John sees it as it really is. He sees it as boring and who dwell in it as slaves. He tells the Controller that he would rather have suffering because it meant happiness. Without unhappiness, how could one ever be truly happy? How can you be happy if you've never cried?
The Truth Comes Out
"'Universal happiness keeps the wheels steadily turning; truth and beauty can't.'" Page 228
The Controller finally speaks the truth. I believe that Huxley's concept presented here is extremely interesting. In our society today, we have truth and beauty. However, we ALL yearn for happiness. And the concept of being transferred to an island for individuality is ingenious. More ingenious is the concept that the World Controllers are Alphas who cannot accept happiness, and yearn for truth and beauty. Unfortunately, we see Bernards true character in this chapter: what a humiliating episode for him in front of the Controller.
The Controller finally speaks the truth. I believe that Huxley's concept presented here is extremely interesting. In our society today, we have truth and beauty. However, we ALL yearn for happiness. And the concept of being transferred to an island for individuality is ingenious. More ingenious is the concept that the World Controllers are Alphas who cannot accept happiness, and yearn for truth and beauty. Unfortunately, we see Bernards true character in this chapter: what a humiliating episode for him in front of the Controller.
Ford Helps Those...
"'Good old Helmholtz!' -also punching- 'Men at last!'" Page 213
I feel as though this is the beginning of the end. John, from the moment he arrived in London, has done nothing but cause trouble. He has broken the rules. He has destroyed social order. He single-handedly put the city into an uproar. Now, John is taking on the whole established authority. Fortunately, he is bringing Bernard and Helmholtz with him on his quest. The unfortunate circumstance is that I don't believe they can possibly win.
I feel as though this is the beginning of the end. John, from the moment he arrived in London, has done nothing but cause trouble. He has broken the rules. He has destroyed social order. He single-handedly put the city into an uproar. Now, John is taking on the whole established authority. Fortunately, he is bringing Bernard and Helmholtz with him on his quest. The unfortunate circumstance is that I don't believe they can possibly win.
Circle of Society
"The circle was disintegrating." Page 207
John's mother was dying. To all people living in London, death was an inevitability. Yet death was an accepted part of life, just as the sky is blue and that gravity cannot be shattered. They thought nothing of death because of their conditioning to its horrors. John yet again broke social etiquette when he showed anger and sadness for his dying mother. The head nurse in the death ward was confused by his actions, and even noted that the "circle was disintegrating". She recognized the danger of John's reaction to death, and was afraid that the children would begin to associate negative thoughts and feelings with death. John, the savage, doesn't care. He is grieving, and will break any social barrier he needs to to get over it.
John's mother was dying. To all people living in London, death was an inevitability. Yet death was an accepted part of life, just as the sky is blue and that gravity cannot be shattered. They thought nothing of death because of their conditioning to its horrors. John yet again broke social etiquette when he showed anger and sadness for his dying mother. The head nurse in the death ward was confused by his actions, and even noted that the "circle was disintegrating". She recognized the danger of John's reaction to death, and was afraid that the children would begin to associate negative thoughts and feelings with death. John, the savage, doesn't care. He is grieving, and will break any social barrier he needs to to get over it.
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