"From time to time he stretched out his arms as though he were on the Cross..." Pg. 244
Ever since his decision not to pursue Lenina sexually and stick to his morals, John has taken on an uncanny disposition similar to Christ. In fact, this was probably propelled by his debate with Mr. Mond on the essentiality of God in a stabile world. Later on, John decides to whip himself, drawing a spectacle of reporters. All the attention was unwanted and unwarranted. I drew parallels to Christ in the Temple when he went on his hopital rampage. After his talk with Mr. Mond, he was essentially marginalized and left to live simply off the earth and the land. The only disparateness occurs the night before he dies. He sins against his own personal standards due to the influence of society.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Chapter 18
"That evening the swarm of helicopters that came buzzing..." Pg. 259
The end of the book contains some irony and tragedy. I found it ironic that even as an exile, the Savage was still constantly harassed by reporters and gawkers. This is perhaps the most accurate prophesy in the book. Nowadays, it seems like no one is safe from suffocating media attention. Privacy is certainly dead. The tragedy is obviously the death of John. When he was talking with the Controller, I got the sense that this world was so airtight that there was no way John could have lived out his life of suffering in peace. The irony continues with his death though. As part of the satire, Huxley creates a character that ends up dying from the psychological impact of continued pleasure, despite his noble attempt to reject the whole world around him.
The end of the book contains some irony and tragedy. I found it ironic that even as an exile, the Savage was still constantly harassed by reporters and gawkers. This is perhaps the most accurate prophesy in the book. Nowadays, it seems like no one is safe from suffocating media attention. Privacy is certainly dead. The tragedy is obviously the death of John. When he was talking with the Controller, I got the sense that this world was so airtight that there was no way John could have lived out his life of suffering in peace. The irony continues with his death though. As part of the satire, Huxley creates a character that ends up dying from the psychological impact of continued pleasure, despite his noble attempt to reject the whole world around him.
Chapter 17
"'What about self-denial, then? If you had a God , you'd have a reason for self-denial.'" Pg. 236
In Chapter 17, a intellectual debate begins between Mr. Mond and John. John questions the Controller on the absence of God, the issue of self-degradation, and chastity, among other things. For each question, the Controller essentially says that the new world has no need for that concern because everything is stable the way it is. When John counters, the ultimate logic is that the World State has chosen a society where stability and happiness are valued over nobility and independence. This decision must have be heavily influenced by the Nine Year's War. The people must have been so scarred by the horrors of war that no abstract old world emotion will cause them to change. Such is the nature of war. Fortunately, nothing like that war has taken place. Had it occured, Huxley would look like a prophet of old times.
In Chapter 17, a intellectual debate begins between Mr. Mond and John. John questions the Controller on the absence of God, the issue of self-degradation, and chastity, among other things. For each question, the Controller essentially says that the new world has no need for that concern because everything is stable the way it is. When John counters, the ultimate logic is that the World State has chosen a society where stability and happiness are valued over nobility and independence. This decision must have be heavily influenced by the Nine Year's War. The people must have been so scarred by the horrors of war that no abstract old world emotion will cause them to change. Such is the nature of war. Fortunately, nothing like that war has taken place. Had it occured, Huxley would look like a prophet of old times.
Chapter 16
"And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune,..." Pg. 221
Throughout the novel, I was under the impression that the Controllers of the World State were sinister beings bent on dehumanizing every last piece of society. Then Mr. Mond explained that lasting happiness has a price. While I do not totally agree with his logic, much of it is true. The world has advanced technologically, medically, and even ethically since several hundred years ago. The ever-present truth though, is that we may win some big battles against oppression and strife, but the world will never be completely just. We will always have something to work for, no matter how small or large. I believe this is what gives people fulfillment. We take on the challenge and sometimes emerge victorious. Leaders of the World State chose to forgo the fulfillment for stability. This was due to the horrors of the Nine Year's War.
Throughout the novel, I was under the impression that the Controllers of the World State were sinister beings bent on dehumanizing every last piece of society. Then Mr. Mond explained that lasting happiness has a price. While I do not totally agree with his logic, much of it is true. The world has advanced technologically, medically, and even ethically since several hundred years ago. The ever-present truth though, is that we may win some big battles against oppression and strife, but the world will never be completely just. We will always have something to work for, no matter how small or large. I believe this is what gives people fulfillment. We take on the challenge and sometimes emerge victorious. Leaders of the World State chose to forgo the fulfillment for stability. This was due to the horrors of the Nine Year's War.
Chapter 15
"'He's mad,' whispered Bernard." Pg. 213
In the climax of the novel, John can no longer stand theWorld State any longer. At the sight of the twins standing over his dead mother, he bursts into a rampage, throwing pill boxes and announcing that each one of them can be free. What I found most absurb was the fact that Bernard, a supposed friend of John's, was afraid for the lives of the Deltas, people he did not even know. He himself had once felt emotions of a greater freedom, and now, in John's darkest time, he seemingly abandons him to ride out this rampage. Then, he tries to escape out a side door because of his association with John. I suppose social freedom includes extreme cowardice. If I were John, I would be infuriated more at Bernard than the twins. Bernard shows his true colors in this climax.
In the climax of the novel, John can no longer stand theWorld State any longer. At the sight of the twins standing over his dead mother, he bursts into a rampage, throwing pill boxes and announcing that each one of them can be free. What I found most absurb was the fact that Bernard, a supposed friend of John's, was afraid for the lives of the Deltas, people he did not even know. He himself had once felt emotions of a greater freedom, and now, in John's darkest time, he seemingly abandons him to ride out this rampage. Then, he tries to escape out a side door because of his association with John. I suppose social freedom includes extreme cowardice. If I were John, I would be infuriated more at Bernard than the twins. Bernard shows his true colors in this climax.
Lenina
"...the Savage retreated in terror, flapping his hands at her as though he were trying to scare away some intruding and dangerous animal." Pg. 193
The Savage's reaction to Lenina's advances can be taken as an allegory-that is, once you get past thinking of Lenina as a dumb blonde who can't take a hint. Lenina is purely a temptation; self-gratification. John can be thought of as a trusted leader. Men or women in leadership/business roles spend years going through school, earning a credible reputation, and grooming social skills. Yet, when one of these leaders gets caught being sneaky or immoral, the fallout is enormous. They get labeled for life as a crook or a deviant. John is much the same. Because he came from a strange, intriguing background, he can be labeled in one of two ways. He can stay like he is, being a social oddity, or he can give in to Lenina, thereby initiating him into typical Alpha behavior. For John, he holds a much higher standard for himself. He is not nescessarily manipulating, but would rather Lenina come to him honorably, like a Shakespeare work.
The Savage's reaction to Lenina's advances can be taken as an allegory-that is, once you get past thinking of Lenina as a dumb blonde who can't take a hint. Lenina is purely a temptation; self-gratification. John can be thought of as a trusted leader. Men or women in leadership/business roles spend years going through school, earning a credible reputation, and grooming social skills. Yet, when one of these leaders gets caught being sneaky or immoral, the fallout is enormous. They get labeled for life as a crook or a deviant. John is much the same. Because he came from a strange, intriguing background, he can be labeled in one of two ways. He can stay like he is, being a social oddity, or he can give in to Lenina, thereby initiating him into typical Alpha behavior. For John, he holds a much higher standard for himself. He is not nescessarily manipulating, but would rather Lenina come to him honorably, like a Shakespeare work.
Pearls before swine
"'You've got to be hurt and upset; otherwise you can't think of the really good, penetrating, X-rayish phrases.'" Pg. 185
Helmholtz is correct in his above phrase. It is impossible to write without an emotional motive to make the words interesting. The things that were so insane to Helmholtz-the Capulets denying Juliet's desires and Tybalt's death-stemmed from human conflict and wrought emotion. Yet, Helmholtz himself forgets that his own writing stems from his emotion. Earlier in the chapter, he recited a poem about solidarity-a forbidden action. He said he had to use the "power" inside him. John is offended by Helmholtz's criticism of Shakespeare, deepening his resentment of the shallow nature of the new world. While John values the thought put into each sentence, the others regard it as nonsense. They still cannot grasp the idea of suppressed impulse.
Helmholtz is correct in his above phrase. It is impossible to write without an emotional motive to make the words interesting. The things that were so insane to Helmholtz-the Capulets denying Juliet's desires and Tybalt's death-stemmed from human conflict and wrought emotion. Yet, Helmholtz himself forgets that his own writing stems from his emotion. Earlier in the chapter, he recited a poem about solidarity-a forbidden action. He said he had to use the "power" inside him. John is offended by Helmholtz's criticism of Shakespeare, deepening his resentment of the shallow nature of the new world. While John values the thought put into each sentence, the others regard it as nonsense. They still cannot grasp the idea of suppressed impulse.
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