Bernard Marx Quotes
Task 1: While some may argue the protagonist of Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is Bernard Marx, the true conflict in the novel surrounds the character John, often referred to as the Savage as he was born outside of “civilization” (121). With long, pale blonde hair in braids and pale blue eyes, the protagonist had striking looks. His skin was white, though bronzed by the sun, and his overall tall frame had an endearing, wild look that caught the eye of many women in this novel. Concerning his character, when first introduced, John was very kind and gentle. He cheerily greeted Bernard and invited him to meet his mother. But, as the novel progressed, a whole new side of John revealed itself. Once Bernard brought him into World State, the dystopian society of Brave New World, his kind nature became reclusive and temperamental. Furthermore, he grew reckless, rebellious, and dangerous. These new characteristics manifested during
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the most interesting thing John did in the novel. Upon exiting Park Lane Hospital, he saw many lower caste Deltas frantically lining up for daily soma, a drug with no side effects, rations. Appalled at how each person was “a slave” (210) to this drug, John tried to help them by yelling how soma was “poison” (211) and kept the people complacent and ignorant. Next, he grabbed and threw the soma out a window to show them an unclouded life. This impromptu speech and attempt at heroism is very interesting because it showcases the protagonist as a true protagonist. While his actions were somewhat reckless, rebellious, and dangerous, John meant well. He attempted to show people the flaws in the drug they loved dearly and thus the corruption of their society. Like a true protagonist, he wanted to help the people. This moment truly established John as the protagonist of the novel making it the most interesting of his actions. All in all, John is not the easiest character to like, however he does attempt needed rebellion and represent normality in a horrific, abnormal society.
Task 2: The true antagonist of Brave New World is World State because the sheer society is what opposes John’s, the protagonist’s, humane and normal beliefs. But, in the novel, the societal opposition can be embodied by one person, Mustapha Mond. Mond is “a man of middle height, black hair [and]… eyes very piercing and dark” (33) with an air of power and intelligence complimenting a fit body, full lips, and an altogether intense stature. As appealing as Mond seems, he is the antagonist of this novel because Mond is a World Controller. As a World Controller, Mod managed the conditioning, control, limitations, etc. of the citizens in World State. These actions went directly against the beliefs of the protagonist. John believed “there’s a God” (234) and there is “reason for chastity” (237) while Mond believed these things lead to “instability…and instability means the end of civilization” (237). Although Mond is the antagonist, his role is fairly understated. He does not directly oppose the protagonist, because in Brave New World, Mond really has no need to. Though John attempts to rebel and make a change in the society, he has no following and thus no power. Mond knows this and so he does not really interfere; he simply watches as society leads John to insanity. However, the one example of Mond opposing John is done fairly indirectly. When John concluded his impromptu speech at the Park Lane Hospital, the Deltas went insane. They were so upset and rushed at John while he “continued to throw the soma [and]…punched the…faces of his assailants” (213). This frenzy was not any sort of social permitted in World State, so Mond ordered policemen to “pump…thick clouds of soma vapor into the air” (214) while he played a “sound track…in Synthetic Anti-Riot Speech” (214) to pacify the crowd. Mond then had the police arrest John, along with his by-standing friends, and usher them into his office. By shutting down John’s small rebellion, Mond opposed John’s actions thus opposing the protagonist. So, overall, Mustapha Mond fills the role of antagonist because he was the greatest opposition to John in this novel.
Task 3: The society in Brave New World truly exemplifies dystopia. Characteristics of dystopia, especially the use of propaganda for control, worship of a figurehead, dehumanization, and rebellion, were prevalent throughout this novel. First, propaganda was used to condition the citizens at a young age. As the Director chose to put it, they simply used propaganda to teach lessons on “moral education” (26). In their slumber, children were trained to love their predestined caste, look down on those lower than them, and despise individuality, among many other things. Furthermore, this conditioning through propaganda forced citizens to conform to uniform expectations. So, the government used propaganda to control its citizens and to make them conform, thus expressing dystopia. Second, Henry Ford was worshiped to a fair extent in Brave New World. He took on the sort of form that God has today. Often people would exclaim “’Oh Ford’” (122) and many wore “crosses [that] had their tops cut [to become] T’s” (52) in honor of Henry Ford’s Model-T car. Citizens would also make T’s over their diaphragms and thank Ford for their achievements in society. Since Henry Ford was worshiped as a figurehead by the citizens of World State, Brave New World again expressed dystopia. Third, another characteristic of dystopia involves citizens living in a dehumanized state. In Brave New World, before birth children are organized into different castes. The lower caste eggs are fed alcohol, go through cloning, conditioned to dislike colds, and et cetera. In addition, their intelligence is lessened so they can mature faster and head straight to menial labor, in the words of the Director, “in Epsilons…we don’t need human intelligence” (15). So, many of the citizens in Brave New World are stunted, made stupid, and all together dehumanized thus suggesting dystopia. Fourth, most all dystopian novels are characterized by unhappiness and rebellion in the community. Though in this novel, dissent among the community was not widespread, the protagonist, John, did offer the quintessential unhappiness and rebellion. Therefore, Brave New World is a dystopian novel because showcases multiple characteristics of dystopia.
Task 4: One conflict in Brave New World is a verbal fight between John and Mustapha Mond. After exploding at the Park Lane Hospital, John was “ushered into the Controller’s study” (217). Here Mond and he entered a deep argument about the ways of the society. John hated this sort of life where emotions were fake, no one had parents, citizens were tied to a drug, individuality was horrid, and people were dehumanized. Mond loftily replied that the way he and the other Controllers controlled everything kept people unquestioning and bubbly for a life “without any of the inconveniences” (240). He argued the life John wanted was one of unhappiness and “political inefficiency” (237). In Mond’s words, “we prefer to do things comfortably” (240) and complacency and crowd mentalities directly created comfort. John abhorred how rational Mond made their horrid society seem to be. He argued that he did not want comfort and that he claimed “the right to be unhappy” (240) and thus human before storming out on an unimpressed Mond. John, in this argument, attempted to get Mond to see the flaws in his society; however Mond did not see them. This argument between John and Mustapha Mond represents the classic conflict, an external conflict because it occurs between a character and an outside force, of a rebel versus society in a dystopian novel. Another conflict present in this novel concerns John’s desire to be with Lenina Crowne.
Lenina, who too aided in bringing the Savage from his home to World State, immediately became John’s love interest in Brave New World. When he first caught sight of her, John “gave a gasp and was silent, gaping” (117). However, though his desire was strong, John never felt he deserved Lenina. Lenina asked him why he would not just kiss her, and he replied “I wanted to do something first…to show I was worthy of you” (189). As romantic as this declaration was, romance was not the way of World State, meaning Lenina could not understand John’s reservations. She questioned that “if you wanted me too, why didn’t you” (192). But John responded, “I shall never melt mine honour into lust” (192). So, the true conflict here was between John’s desire and his values. He wanted Lenina and Lenina loved him too but his values fought him at every turn. Since this conflict ensued between two parts of John himself, the battle between lust and merit is an internal
conflict. Task 5:
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is a magnificent piece of literature that I thoroughly enjoyed. Huxley’s satirical writing style, inventive characters, and unique story shined light on the dangers of progression while maintaining a mostly light tone making for a very enjoyable read. The novel, that covers the dangers of what happens to a normal person when introduced to a world where pleasure and science prevail under a totalitarian regime, was thoroughly engaging.
The novel begins at a child hatchery and conditioning center in World State, the dystopian society of focus in Brave New World. A group of students tours the facility and here they learn about babies grown in bottles, pre-destined castes, and the debilitation of premature children. Soon after, the novel shifts gears to focus on Bernard Marx, a man of the upper castes. Marx invites a girl, Lenina Crowne, on a trip to the Reservation, a small society outside of World State that lives sort of like Native American tribe. Coincidentally, Bernard and Lenina met John and his mother Linda, who are residents of the Reservation. However Linda, unlike most at the Reservation, was born in World State. But she ran away to the Reservation because she became pregnant, and action not allowed. Since Linda is from World State, though, John and she were never fully accepted at the Reservation. So, Bernard gains permission from Mustapha Mond for John and Linda to leave the Reservation and come live in World State. Upon arriving, John becomes the subject of everyone’s curiosity. They all want to meet the Savage. But John does not enjoy the attention. John does not even enjoy World State. He hates the societal constraints and dehumanization of the citizens. Soon John begins to rebel against the dystopia and attempts to have others do the same. That is until Mustapha Mond steps in and things turn south.
What Huxley created in this novel is brilliant. He established a horrific society that revolves around happiness and wove a storyline that revolves around very unique characters. Furthermore, it was quite interesting discovering the flaws of Huxley’s dystopia through the eyes of a protagonist who, like the reader, had not grown up in World State. Although at times, Brave New World makes one shiver in understated fear, Huxley’s subtle and sarcastic humor and the innovation of the world he created makes sure to keep the reader hooked.
the most interesting thing John did in the novel. Upon exiting Park Lane Hospital, he saw many lower caste Deltas frantically lining up for daily soma, a drug with no side effects, rations. Appalled at how each person was “a slave” (210) to this drug, John tried to help them by yelling how soma was “poison” (211) and kept the people complacent and ignorant. Next, he grabbed and threw the soma out a window to show them an unclouded life. This impromptu speech and attempt at heroism is very interesting because it showcases the protagonist as a true protagonist. While his actions were somewhat reckless, rebellious, and dangerous, John meant well. He attempted to show people the flaws in the drug they loved dearly and thus the corruption of their society. Like a true protagonist, he wanted to help the people. This moment truly established John as the protagonist of the novel making it the most interesting of his actions. All in all, John is not the easiest character to like, however he does attempt needed rebellion and represent normality in a horrific, abnormal society.
Task 2: The true antagonist of Brave New World is World State because the sheer society is what opposes John’s, the protagonist’s, humane and normal beliefs. But, in the novel, the societal opposition can be embodied by one person, Mustapha Mond. Mond is “a man of middle height, black hair [and]… eyes very piercing and dark” (33) with an air of power and intelligence complimenting a fit body, full lips, and an altogether intense stature. As appealing as Mond seems, he is the antagonist of this novel because Mond is a World Controller. As a World Controller, Mod managed the conditioning, control, limitations, etc. of the citizens in World State. These actions went directly against the beliefs of the protagonist. John believed “there’s a God” (234) and there is “reason for chastity” (237) while Mond believed these things lead to “instability…and instability means the end of civilization” (237). Although Mond is the antagonist, his role is fairly understated. He does not directly oppose the protagonist, because in Brave New World, Mond really has no need to. Though John attempts to rebel and make a change in the society, he has no following and thus no power. Mond knows this and so he does not really interfere; he simply watches as society leads John to insanity. However, the one example of Mond opposing John is done fairly indirectly. When John concluded his impromptu speech at the Park Lane Hospital, the Deltas went insane. They were so upset and rushed at John while he “continued to throw the soma [and]…punched the…faces of his assailants” (213). This frenzy was not any sort of social permitted in World State, so Mond ordered policemen to “pump…thick clouds of soma vapor into the air” (214) while he played a “sound track…in Synthetic Anti-Riot Speech” (214) to pacify the crowd. Mond then had the police arrest John, along with his by-standing friends, and usher them into his office. By shutting down John’s small rebellion, Mond opposed John’s actions thus opposing the protagonist. So, overall, Mustapha Mond fills the role of antagonist because he was the greatest opposition to John in this novel.
Task 3: The society in Brave New World truly exemplifies dystopia. Characteristics of dystopia, especially the use of propaganda for control, worship of a figurehead, dehumanization, and rebellion, were prevalent throughout this novel. First, propaganda was used to condition the citizens at a young age. As the Director chose to put it, they simply used propaganda to teach lessons on “moral education” (26). In their slumber, children were trained to love their predestined caste, look down on those lower than them, and despise individuality, among many other things. Furthermore, this conditioning through propaganda forced citizens to conform to uniform expectations. So, the government used propaganda to control its citizens and to make them conform, thus expressing dystopia. Second, Henry Ford was worshiped to a fair extent in Brave New World. He took on the sort of form that God has today. Often people would exclaim “’Oh Ford’” (122) and many wore “crosses [that] had their tops cut [to become] T’s” (52) in honor of Henry Ford’s Model-T car. Citizens would also make T’s over their diaphragms and thank Ford for their achievements in society. Since Henry Ford was worshiped as a figurehead by the citizens of World State, Brave New World again expressed dystopia. Third, another characteristic of dystopia involves citizens living in a dehumanized state. In Brave New World, before birth children are organized into different castes. The lower caste eggs are fed alcohol, go through cloning, conditioned to dislike colds, and et cetera. In addition, their intelligence is lessened so they can mature faster and head straight to menial labor, in the words of the Director, “in Epsilons…we don’t need human intelligence” (15). So, many of the citizens in Brave New World are stunted, made stupid, and all together dehumanized thus suggesting dystopia. Fourth, most all dystopian novels are characterized by unhappiness and rebellion in the community. Though in this novel, dissent among the community was not widespread, the protagonist, John, did offer the quintessential unhappiness and rebellion. Therefore, Brave New World is a dystopian novel because showcases multiple characteristics of dystopia.
Task 4: One conflict in Brave New World is a verbal fight between John and Mustapha Mond. After exploding at the Park Lane Hospital, John was “ushered into the Controller’s study” (217). Here Mond and he entered a deep argument about the ways of the society. John hated this sort of life where emotions were fake, no one had parents, citizens were tied to a drug, individuality was horrid, and people were dehumanized. Mond loftily replied that the way he and the other Controllers controlled everything kept people unquestioning and bubbly for a life “without any of the inconveniences” (240). He argued the life John wanted was one of unhappiness and “political inefficiency” (237). In Mond’s words, “we prefer to do things comfortably” (240) and complacency and crowd mentalities directly created comfort. John abhorred how rational Mond made their horrid society seem to be. He argued that he did not want comfort and that he claimed “the right to be unhappy” (240) and thus human before storming out on an unimpressed Mond. John, in this argument, attempted to get Mond to see the flaws in his society; however Mond did not see them. This argument between John and Mustapha Mond represents the classic conflict, an external conflict because it occurs between a character and an outside force, of a rebel versus society in a dystopian novel. Another conflict present in this novel concerns John’s desire to be with Lenina Crowne.
Lenina, who too aided in bringing the Savage from his home to World State, immediately became John’s love interest in Brave New World. When he first caught sight of her, John “gave a gasp and was silent, gaping” (117). However, though his desire was strong, John never felt he deserved Lenina. Lenina asked him why he would not just kiss her, and he replied “I wanted to do something first…to show I was worthy of you” (189). As romantic as this declaration was, romance was not the way of World State, meaning Lenina could not understand John’s reservations. She questioned that “if you wanted me too, why didn’t you” (192). But John responded, “I shall never melt mine honour into lust” (192). So, the true conflict here was between John’s desire and his values. He wanted Lenina and Lenina loved him too but his values fought him at every turn. Since this conflict ensued between two parts of John himself, the battle between lust and merit is an internal
conflict. Task 5:
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is a magnificent piece of literature that I thoroughly enjoyed. Huxley’s satirical writing style, inventive characters, and unique story shined light on the dangers of progression while maintaining a mostly light tone making for a very enjoyable read. The novel, that covers the dangers of what happens to a normal person when introduced to a world where pleasure and science prevail under a totalitarian regime, was thoroughly engaging.
The novel begins at a child hatchery and conditioning center in World State, the dystopian society of focus in Brave New World. A group of students tours the facility and here they learn about babies grown in bottles, pre-destined castes, and the debilitation of premature children. Soon after, the novel shifts gears to focus on Bernard Marx, a man of the upper castes. Marx invites a girl, Lenina Crowne, on a trip to the Reservation, a small society outside of World State that lives sort of like Native American tribe. Coincidentally, Bernard and Lenina met John and his mother Linda, who are residents of the Reservation. However Linda, unlike most at the Reservation, was born in World State. But she ran away to the Reservation because she became pregnant, and action not allowed. Since Linda is from World State, though, John and she were never fully accepted at the Reservation. So, Bernard gains permission from Mustapha Mond for John and Linda to leave the Reservation and come live in World State. Upon arriving, John becomes the subject of everyone’s curiosity. They all want to meet the Savage. But John does not enjoy the attention. John does not even enjoy World State. He hates the societal constraints and dehumanization of the citizens. Soon John begins to rebel against the dystopia and attempts to have others do the same. That is until Mustapha Mond steps in and things turn south.
What Huxley created in this novel is brilliant. He established a horrific society that revolves around happiness and wove a storyline that revolves around very unique characters. Furthermore, it was quite interesting discovering the flaws of Huxley’s dystopia through the eyes of a protagonist who, like the reader, had not grown up in World State. Although at times, Brave New World makes one shiver in understated fear, Huxley’s subtle and sarcastic humor and the innovation of the world he created makes sure to keep the reader hooked.