Bernard Marx's significance

Bernard Marx is the central figure of the novel. Huxley introduces Bernard by giving the reader the knowledge of what's on Bernard's mind. He explains how Bernard is lovesick, jealous and angry. After analyzing Bernard, one can determine that he wants things that he cannot have and he is too over-ambitious. Bernard also lacks confidence and is often anxious because he always feels like he is not good enough. Bernard's horrible attitude is revealed when "Bernard left the room with a swagger as he banged the door behind him, in the thought that he stood alone, embattled against the order of things, elated by the intoxicating consciousness of his individual significance and importance." (Huxley, 47) In this quote, Huxley reveals Bernard's anger and attitude. It also determines his lack of care of others as it is clear that he is very self-centered. It is clear that Bernard will be a key character that will shape the direction of this novel because of all that unconfidence and anxiety that is ready to release and explode out of his system. An event will likely occur that would change Bernard's personality and actions. By the change of Bernard's motivations and thoughts, the story itself will also change as he has a great effect on it. Another character, Helmhotz Watson, is a foil character in the novel at this point in the book. He is the man that Bernard is jealous of and desires to be. Watson is strong, intelligent and good-looking. He is an "Indefatigable lover that had had 640 different girls in 4 years." (Huxley 58). He is well-liked by others and has a good reputation in getting the ladies to go on dates with him. Watson is strong on the outside, but weak on the inside because he admits that the World State's shallow culture is changing who he is. His identity is being changed right before our eyes and that determines that he is not psychologically stable. Based on this information on Helmohtz’s actions, thoughts, and motivations, one can foreshadow that