"What the two men shared was the knowledge that they were individuals" (67).
In chapter four, the character of Helmholtz Watson is introduced when Bernard Marx pays him a visit. Unlike Bernard, Helmholtz is physically powerful, handsome, and the best at everything. Although that would make him seem like a foil character, Helmholtz and Bernard have a few important things in common. Both realized that they are different from the collective society; Helmholtz has excessive talent and Bernard has physical imperfections. Despite their contrast in differences, the men share the knowledge that they are different in a society were everyone is the same. Also, both men search for something more in their lives, straining to break from society's control in order to discover a deeper meaning to their existence. Both examine feelings, trying to identify what they are missing. Helmholtz and Bernard know that something more important exists, but society has carefully desensitized them, leaving both men unable to identify what extra power they possess. Since both men search for their true purpose and defy society in doing so, Bernard and Helmholtz are parallel characters. The purpose of these parallel characters is to demonstrate that not everyone is content in this seemingly perfect society. Men of higher thinking that search for deeper meanings in their lives struggling to conform to the society, showing that the utopia is not perfect.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Situational Irony in the Garden: Chapter 3 of Brave New World
"...A little boy of about seven and a little girl who might have been a year older, were playing, very gravely and with all the focused attention of scientists intent on a labour of discovery, a rudimentary sexual game. 'Charming, charming!' the D.H.C. repeated sentimentally" (31).
This entire scene provides a prime example of situational irony, from the actions and demeanor of the children to the words of the Director. The most obvious ironic situation would be the fact that these young children are engrossed in a "sexual game." Although this would be considered a disturbing issue in our society, the game is normal for children to play at young ages in this modern society. Also, the focus of the children seems ironic. Young children rarely focus with the intent of scientists on anything, yet these two played the game with grave focus. The fact that the young children played a sexual game with such intent is quite shocking to the reader, but the adults in the garden look on with acceptance. The Director even describes the two as "charming," as if what they are doing is delightful and a sign of normal development. This scene further illustrates the stark contrasts between our society and the modern society in the novel which is the purpose of this situational irony.
This entire scene provides a prime example of situational irony, from the actions and demeanor of the children to the words of the Director. The most obvious ironic situation would be the fact that these young children are engrossed in a "sexual game." Although this would be considered a disturbing issue in our society, the game is normal for children to play at young ages in this modern society. Also, the focus of the children seems ironic. Young children rarely focus with the intent of scientists on anything, yet these two played the game with grave focus. The fact that the young children played a sexual game with such intent is quite shocking to the reader, but the adults in the garden look on with acceptance. The Director even describes the two as "charming," as if what they are doing is delightful and a sign of normal development. This scene further illustrates the stark contrasts between our society and the modern society in the novel which is the purpose of this situational irony.
Pavlov's Dogs: Chapter 2 of Brave New World
"Books and loud noises, flowers and electric shocks- already in the infant mind these couples were compromisingly linked; and after two hundred repetitions of the same or a similar lesson would be wedded indissolubly" (22).
The author demonstrates a Pavlovian process when describing the "conditioning" of the infants. Just as Pavlov trained his dogs, the nurses train the infants. The whole process seems extreme and unnecessary, but the conditioning lends itself to the theme of the society. The modern society adopts a theme of viewing everyone as a whole and destroying individualism. A group- Alphas, Betas, Deltas, Epsilons, Gammas- is conditioned to be the same. This scene also demonstrates the control the leaders have over the people, training them as infants to dictate how they will live. No one chooses his or her group, likes, dislikes, the color of his or her wardrobe, his or her career, or virtually any aspect of his or her life. No one receives the privilege of choosing; the choice is made for them. I found this scene to be inhumane and shocking, yet the observers considered this process part of their advancements in science. Since I was not able to share the feelings of the characters in this scene, I will probably find most of their actions to be unusual and unappealing. I think that the author wants the reader to find displeasure in the workings of the utopia so that the reader realized how imperfect the utopia really is.
The author demonstrates a Pavlovian process when describing the "conditioning" of the infants. Just as Pavlov trained his dogs, the nurses train the infants. The whole process seems extreme and unnecessary, but the conditioning lends itself to the theme of the society. The modern society adopts a theme of viewing everyone as a whole and destroying individualism. A group- Alphas, Betas, Deltas, Epsilons, Gammas- is conditioned to be the same. This scene also demonstrates the control the leaders have over the people, training them as infants to dictate how they will live. No one chooses his or her group, likes, dislikes, the color of his or her wardrobe, his or her career, or virtually any aspect of his or her life. No one receives the privilege of choosing; the choice is made for them. I found this scene to be inhumane and shocking, yet the observers considered this process part of their advancements in science. Since I was not able to share the feelings of the characters in this scene, I will probably find most of their actions to be unusual and unappealing. I think that the author wants the reader to find displeasure in the workings of the utopia so that the reader realized how imperfect the utopia really is.
Conflicting Views: Chapter 1 of Brave New World
"One egg, one embryo, one adult- normality. But a bokanovskified egg will bud, will proliferate, will divide. From eight to ninety-six buds, and every bud will grow into a perfectly formed embryo, and every embryo into a full-sized adult. Making ninety-six human beings grow where only one grew before. Progress" (6).
Throughout the first chapter, the Director speaks to the young students about the advancements of human development. The tone adopted by both the Director and Mr. Foster is of pure enthusiasm for the knowledge and wondrous processes contained in the Central London Hatchery and Conditioning Centre. As for the eager students, they exhibit awe for the Director and his explanations, writing down his words with zeal. The combination of these tones- enthusiasm, wonder, respect- establishes other themes reflected throughout the novel. Although the tones of the men touring the Centre are positive, they demonstrate a coldness, a lack of emotion. The processes so admired lack familiarity to the audience because humans are not "hatched." In this modern society, however, the love and human contact involved in creating a human has been completely eradicated. The process seems so detached and apathetic, yet the men in the Centre praise the progress achieved. This detachment from emotion and this preference for scientific processes are shared by nearly everyone in the modern society, and that theme is established with the tour of the Centre. I had some difficulty following the descriptions of the hatching process and did not view the process as a great scientific advancement. It seemed to me that the ways of life and workings of this society stemmed from this horrible process, and the author used the description of the process and the characters' tones to further his theme.
Throughout the first chapter, the Director speaks to the young students about the advancements of human development. The tone adopted by both the Director and Mr. Foster is of pure enthusiasm for the knowledge and wondrous processes contained in the Central London Hatchery and Conditioning Centre. As for the eager students, they exhibit awe for the Director and his explanations, writing down his words with zeal. The combination of these tones- enthusiasm, wonder, respect- establishes other themes reflected throughout the novel. Although the tones of the men touring the Centre are positive, they demonstrate a coldness, a lack of emotion. The processes so admired lack familiarity to the audience because humans are not "hatched." In this modern society, however, the love and human contact involved in creating a human has been completely eradicated. The process seems so detached and apathetic, yet the men in the Centre praise the progress achieved. This detachment from emotion and this preference for scientific processes are shared by nearly everyone in the modern society, and that theme is established with the tour of the Centre. I had some difficulty following the descriptions of the hatching process and did not view the process as a great scientific advancement. It seemed to me that the ways of life and workings of this society stemmed from this horrible process, and the author used the description of the process and the characters' tones to further his theme.
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