Entry 10: Lenina from Brave New World by Aldous Huxley’s Diary upon Meeting John

Dear Diary,

Today, the strangest of things happened. Bernard and I ran into a woman and her son, I know I’m disgusted even to write it, and as it turns out the woman was originally from our London. They were both very strange indeed but the man had a certain charm about him that I should like to look into if I ever see him again.-Lenina

Dear Diary,

Bernard has managed to bring both the woman, Linda, and her son, John, back to London. It’s remarkable really. John has become a bit of a celebrity as the savage and is being showered by attention and parties that he doesn’t seem to accept with the greatest gratitude. He also seems a bit standoffish towards me but I assume that’s just got to do with him having yet to get accustomed to this place, for our society is far different from the one he was raised in. I quite hope he likes me back but at this point I can’t be certain. I have never felt quite like this before about any one person. How peculiar.-Lenina

Dear Diary,

I have decided that I won’t wait any longer: today I will tell John of my feelings for him. I highly doubt he should turn me down but the strangeness of his upbringing might cause an unexpected reaction. I doubt this is very likely, though. I really hope that he tells me he has feelings for me as well, because I have never felt so strongly about anyone and it’s the weirdest thing and oh I’m getting carried away. I pray that Ford grant me luck.-Lenina

Entry 9: Letter from Aldous Huxley’s Character, John, from Brave New World to his Father, the Director, Written from the Reservation

Dear Father,

I know we have never met before, but I just needed to write you this letter for some type of closure or release. There are so many questions I wish I could ask you. Why did you leave Linda here? Why did you never rescue her or come back? What is life like in this amazing place she describes to me? What do you do? What are you like? There is so much I fear I will never know. Very few other boys here in the village grow up without a father, I am one of the few. I am an outcast here. I am made fun of and excluded partly because of what Linda has done and partly just because of where she and you come from. Sometimes, all I want is to fit in. Sometimes, all I want is to join you in this incredible place Linda has spent so much time longing for and speaking of.

I often wonder if we have anything in common, and I don’t just mean physical traits. I wonder if you also enjoy Shakespeare’s works and if our personalities resemble each other’s. I figure, however, that this cannot be true; we were raised very differently and live in such different worlds. I dream that you will return in one of those mechanical birds I’ve been told about and bring Linda and me back to civilization but these are merely childish fantasies. Accepting the fact that you will never return and I will never see this civilization is difficult and part of the reason I am writing this letter.

I also must admit that I have harbored much anger towards you. I resent the fact that you left Linda and me here. I resent the fact that I didn’t and don’t have a father. I resent the fact that none of this can be changed.

John

Entry 8: Soma Advertisement Based on Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

https://youtu.be/bu9V2S66nvY

I made this video with my sister, Aliezah Hulett, because we both felt as if Soma was a very important part of Brave New World and this would be a good way to highlight that while getting creative. It is a parody of modern drug commercials to show how this drug might be marketed today and to add a hint of humor.

The importance of Soma in Brave New World is shown in the constant repetition of the phrase “A gramme is better than a damn.” (Page 62, Chapter 5) which was one of the many sayings ingrained into the people of this society through sleep conditioning. The idea of always making one’s unpleasant emotions disappear is a key point in how this society functions and just how important it is to the controllers and members of this civilization that happiness be maintained at all times. Soma also has to do with the ideas of conformity, complete control, escaping reality, and choosing a synthetic paradise over a less blissful reality.

Entry 7: Found Poem from Aldous Huxley’s Novel Brave New World

“The Gods are just. No doubt. But their code of law is dictated in the last resort, by the people who organize society; providence takes its cues from men.” (Page 160, Chapter 17)

“God isn’t compatible with machinery and scientific medicine and universal happiness. You must make your choice.” (Page 159, Chapter 17)

“...I don’t want comfort. I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger, I want freedom, I want goodness. I want sin.” (Page 163, Chapter 17)

“I’m claiming the right to be unhappy.” (Page 163, Chapter 17)

“[Civilization] poisoned me; I was defiled and then I ate my own wickedness.” (Page 165, Chapter 18)

“But that’s the price we have to pay for stability.” (Page 151, Chapter 18)

I gathered these quotes because I feel that they capture the essence of the founding principles of the society in Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. These particular quotes also provoke thought and insight not only about the world within this novel but the reader’s reality. The placement of these quotes together and in this order also show an internal struggle, which I saw as a common theme in several characters throughout the story.

Entry 6: Collage

I gathered some photos for this collage that I felt embodied an aspect of the society in Aldous Huxley’s novel Brave New World. On the upper left is a picture that depicts the practice used in the book to synthetically grow fetuses in a factory-style setting. This part of the book is very symbolic and, due to its early appearance in the story, sets a precedent or context for what this society is like. Below this image is one that represents the idea of conditioning. The inclusion of this type of control shows the extent of the power held by the controllers and the near impossibility of escaping their plans as people are, in essence, brainwashed. To the right of this image, in the bottom center, is a view of a compact, very industrial landscape. This picture is meant to serve as a representation of the close quarters people in this society live in and the importance of technological advancements and industry. The almost unbelievable proximity of the buildings and sight of only metal and no nature is comparable to how I pictured London while reading Brave New World. To the right of this photo, on the bottom right hand side, is an image of 4 men who look very much alike, are dressed the same, and have a similar expression on their face. This image is meant to highlight the idea of everyone looking and acting the same, and not only having striking physical similarities, but also conforming so much so that they are almost interchangeable and have little to no individuality which is found throughout the novel. The image in the  upper right corner and the image in the center of the collage serve the purpose of showing the importance of the role of Soma in the story. The population’s dependency on this drug is great and is a pivotal part of the story’s overall meaning. In the upper center of the collage is a photo of a collection of Shakespeare’s works like the one’s belonging to John in Brave New World. The inclusion of Shakespeare in this book struck me as important as it not only served to include something much older than society but also to cause the reader to think about the messages, plots, relationships, and human behavior in these Shakespearean stories and compare them to the happenings in the novel.

Entry 5: Linda from Brave New World by Aldous Huxley’s Diary upon Becoming Stuck in the Reservation

Dear Diary,

I have been injured and therefore unable to reunite with the director as we had planned and head back home. I’m stuck here in this ghastly place with these savage creatures and am utterly appalled. There is dirt everywhere and absolutely nothing is clean. The way that these people, if they can even be called that, live is disgusting. The smells are terrible and the people are always filthy. At this point, the only thing keeping me from a complete breakdown is the knowledge that I will be rescued soon and I won’t have to stay much longer. I’ll have my Soma and simple things like scent organs and feelies soon enough but my is this place dreadful. I will write again soon from a place far better than this.-Linda

Dear Diary,

For some reason I have yet to be rescued and brought home. I suppose something must have gone wrong because I am sure that I’m being looked for. This place continues to be so incredibly strange and awful. The savages’ rituals and way of life are deplorable and I still haven’t been able to wrap my head around how they survive this way. Today, while being examined, one of the savages here that thinks themselves a nurse was attempting to tell me something. Although I couldn’t quite understand due to their strange, terrible language, I believe I made out that they were telling me I was to have a baby. This is impossible of course and I found it quite silly to even consider such a thing. The savage must have been saying something else. Anyways, I’m positive that I’ll be saved from this wretched place and these awful people soon enough.-Linda

Dear Diary,

I thought it was bad before but now my situation has become far worse. That stupid savage nurse was somehow right, I am to have a child in due time. The idea simply disgusts me. I’m ready for it to be revealed that this is all some nightmare and not happening to me. I’m so alone. Everyone here hates me. I hate to be alone. I’m scared and I’m beginning to lose hope in being rescued. And my sanity. May Ford help me.-Linda

Entry 4: Character Profiles

John was raised on the New Mexican Reservation by his mother Linda with no involvement of his father the Director. He was outcast due to the cultural differences between his mother and the rest of the people in the reservation. When he was brought to civilization, he became somewhat of a celebrity and had a hard time getting accustomed to or agreeing with the ideals of this society. Eventually, he attempted to live a quiet life alone while living off the land for the most part and being self-sustained but was still often harassed by reporters and civilians.

Mustapha Mond is a world controller that interacts with the main characters of the story. His perspective, intellectual conversations, and understanding serve to humanize the controllers and provide their side of the story as well as give the reader a better knowledge of how this fictional world works.

The director is one of the first characters met when reading Brave New World and embodies a CEO or leader archetype in the story. He is in determined agreement with the current practices of society and is very organized, precise, and powerful. He resigns due to shame and humiliation from his position upon the return of his past lover Linda and their son John.

Linda was born in London and while visiting the reservation in New Mexico was unable to leave, pregnant, and condemned to live out her life there. She was miserable and hated her new home. She was outcast by others due to her reluctance to abide by their rules and misunderstandings caused by cultural disconnect. She turned to drinking and brought many men home with her which left a bad impression on her son, John. Upon returning to civilization, she took a Soma holiday that led to her death after becoming outcast again due to her unusually fat body and other physical factors that were unheard of in this society.

Bernard Marx is a member of the Alpha-Plus rank of society and a psychologist who worked on conditioning. He is physically inferior to most others of his rank and is socially outcast for this and his unusual behaviors. He is the one to find John and Linda at the reservation in New Mexico and bring them to civilization. For this is greeted with fame and fortune which immediately go to his head. When these are taken from him, he reverts back to his old, frustrated stuff until he is sent away to an island for those who don't fit in with society. (see entry 3 for more in depth details)

Lenina Crowne is a Beta who works in the hatchery. She is lust after by many men, but after accompanying Bernard on his trip to the New Mexican Reservation, she is smitten with John, the Savage, and has an intricate relationship with him over the course of the rest of he story. She blindly follows social rules and, despite having contradicting impulses, doesn't follow her instincts to go against what she's been taught.

Henry Foster serves as a representation of the average citizen in this society to contrast with the unusual lives of the main characters and provide perspective. He follows the rules and assumes that what he's been taught is right despite his own sense and ideas.

Helmholtz Watson is an Alpha and friend of Bernard's. He also is inclined to break away from social teachings and ideals like Bernard but is not a social outcast like him which is potentially due to his physical superiority and social skills. He is an intellectual and connects instantly with John upon meeting him. He and Bernard go together at the end of the story to an island for those who don't fit into society's rigid mold.

Entry 3: Observations and analysis of Bernard’s character development and its relationship to his historical basis of Karl Marx and communism in Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Bernard Marx’s character arc is one of Brave New World by Aldous Huxley’s defining factors. It’s revealed early that Bernard is considered an outcast in society. He is smaller and physically inferior than other Alpha Pluses and acts strangely in comparison to the majority of people, for he doesn’t take Soma, has unorthodox ideas, is antisocial, and likes solitude. Most people consider him an outsider and treat him with reproach and less respect than they would someone else of his social standing. This frustrates and angers Bernard as he battles his inner thoughts in favor of fitting in and still doesn’t see the results he wants. The turning point for Bernard’s character is when he returns from the New Mexican reservation with John and Linda in the tenth chapter. Everyone’s interest in John, or ‘the savage,’ is in part directed towards Bernard who lets the fame and fortune go to his head immediately. When these are abruptly taken from him he is initially very angry and frustrated again but then turns his attentions to more pressing matters. By the end of the novel, Bernard appears to have found a place where he belongs: an island where those who doesn’t quite fit the mold of society are sent. The change in his character from resentful, self entitled, and lost to being, in some ways, apologetic, concerned for others, and open minded shows the character’s journey and development over the course of the novel.

In certain ways, Bernard’s character rivals the historical figure he was likely based on, Karl Marx. While Karl Marx,the founder of communism, believed that the lower classes would revolt and cause revolution while Bernard Marx enjoys luxury, fame, and status. However, some similarities can be drawn between the two. For example, some aspects of fascism and communist ideals are embodied by Bernard and the society he lives in. The idea that “Everyone belongs to everyone else.” (Page 37, Chapter 3) can be likened to the communist ideals of not owning property and doing things for the good of the state, not the individual. Additionally, communism and fascism show itself in Brave New World’s society through the complete government control and manipulation of government, people, conditioning, Soma, culture, media, and information. These parallels were likely included on purpose to serve as a sort of warning or commentary, which is a key aspect of dystopian novels, on the subject of communism which was a pressing topic at the time.

Entry 2: Commentary on the Reservations, Linda’s story, and John’s entrance into society in Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

The details of the reservations are revealed by the character known as the Warden. He is described as “a mine of irrelevant information and unasked-for good advice.” and it is stated that “Once started, he went on and on- boomingly.”(page 67, Chapter 6) but the information gleaned from his explanations are actually quite beneficial to the reader’s comprehension of the reservations and what they represent. When the Warden describes the reservation, he does so with tones of horror, disgust, and amazement. He recounts several facts about the reservation such as that no one can escape, people are born naturally, their society is devoid of the rest of the world’s technological advancements, they know not exactly how many people live inside, they maintain the traditions of marriage and Christianity there, and there is very limited contact between those who live there and everyone else. This summary shows great likeness between life on the reservations and reality: life in the reader’s world. To a reader, reservations may seem normal or even pleasant, but to a character who is a member of the industrialized society that encapsulates most of the world, this way of life is comparable to savagery and potentially inhuman living.

Upon entering the reservation, the characters Bernard and Lenina undergo a number of exploits, one of which is meeting Linda. Linda is the girl the Director spoke of in the story of his ventures in the reserve that he told to Bernard earlier in the chapter. She absolutely despises the reservation and is elated to see Lenina, exclaiming that she never thought she’d see a ‘civilized’ person again as she fawns over her clothes, appearance, and lifestyle. Her life in the reservation has been a struggle. Having not grown up there, she isn’t accustomed to their way of doing things; everything is different in the reservation. She misses her old life and is disgusted with the one she leads now. She and her son have been treated poorly by others due to their being outsiders. Linda hates her life, the place she lives, and the people around her. Lenina reacts to Linda with bewilderment, reproachfulness, and antipathy. She also pities her, and is unsure of how to handle the situation and conversation between them.

John is the name of Linda’s aforementioned son, and his upbringing was particularly tough. His mother was involved with several men, which was customary for her but frowned upon in the reservation. She was also drinking, distant, and abusive. He still looked up to her and wanted answers from her, and loved her stories about the world that she was from. He was at constant battle with the culture of his mother and the society he lived in, feeling like he truly belonged to neither. He was discriminated against and given different opportunities and treatment than the other children, which bullied him mercilessly. His education was limited to his mother teaching him to read and expanding that skill by getting a copy of Shakespeare’s works. He also wasn’t very well adapted to the common skills of those who lived on the reservation having been an outcast until someone decides to start teaching him. When he is taken to the outside society, he becomes something of a celebrity and is thrown into a completely different culture and world full of technology he has never seen and ideals he doesn’t share. It takes time for him to adjust and he becomes overwhelmed by the pressures of his famousness as well as his feelings for Lenina but continues to be himself and take it in stride as best as he can.

Entry 1: Analysis of World State’s Motto in Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

“A SQUAT grey building of only thirty-four stories. Over the main entrance the words, CENTRAL LONDON HATCHERY AND CONDITIONING CENTRE, and, in a shield, the World State’s motto, COMMUNITY, IDENTITY, STABILITY.” Is the very first thing said on the first page of Aldous Huxley’s novel Brave New World. The placement of this motto at the very beginning of the book shows its importance in the context and setting of the story which warrants it thorough understanding and attention from the reader. It’s clear that the motto ‘Community, Identity, Stability’ is a part of the brainwashing going on in this society. The meaning that its creators likely wished to convey is the need for each person, the importance of knowing who you are, and the concern for a stable society. This is potentially to hide the fact that almost none of these virtues are truly present in this world. The use of Community could be to indoctrinate the idea of serving the greater good and ignoring individual needs into the minds of the people. Community is often about finding your place among your neighbors and peers and being an important piece of the group. However, in this society, these roles are assigned to people even before their birth, and there is little to no individuality that would make each person a unique and pivotal part of a community. This feeds directly into the fallacy behind the Identity part of the motto. People’s identities are being predetermined for them by “World Controllers;” they are telling them their identity and leaving no room for them to change it. There is total management of each person’s being, in personality, intelligence, and physical capabilities, and people are meant to know their place. I think that the word Stability is in the motto to reassure people of its necessity and importance. It conditions people to consider stability and order as greater than freedom, individuality, and even the natural processes of life, which is necessary if the government in place is going to stay in power.