"'O brave new world...' By some malice of his memory the Savage found himself repeating Miranda's words" (160).
The author alludes to Shakespeare's The Tempest when John utters these words. John returns to Shakespeare for comfort during times of duress, and in this situation he finds Miranda's words in The Tempest to be appropriate. These words are also the source of the novel's title which is very ironic. John finds this society to be a "brave new world," but the world is quite the opposite of that phrase. John- the one considered to be a savage- sees the modern advancements and the lack of emotion or individuality and deems it brave. The society in which John finds himself is not at all brave; they cower behind their social statuses and soma. This allusion is effective because the reader should be able to see the irony in John's choice of Shakespeare. The people in London avoid conflicts and feelings and instead rely on drugs to make them happy. That society is in no way brave, and John will soon come to realize that. He does not depend on society's training or pills, and he soon sees the imperfections surrounding him which those in the "brave" society avoid.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Verbal Irony: Chapter 10 of Brave New World
"The word (for "father" was not so much obscene as -- with its connotation of something at one remove from the loathsomeness and moral obliquity of child-bearing -- merely gross, a scatological rather than a pornographic impropriety); the comically smutty word relieved what had become a quite intolerable tension" (151).
The author uses irony often in the novel in order to be satirical, and he uses verbal irony when referring to "mother" and "father." In the world of the reader, these words have no negative connotation; they refer to the parents of children and are often terms of love and endearment. In modern London, the words are "smutty" and "pornographic," descriptions that would never be applied to parents in today's society. The author uses verbal irony to show the repercussions of a utopia. In their perfect society, all love and emotions have been stripped away from one of the most miraculous moments in today's society: the creation of life. Instead, creating life is simply a scientific process performed in a test tube. Words associated with childbirth- mother, father, baby- create disgust when uttered. The author shows that a drive towards a modern utopia can force people to sacrifice unimaginable things like love and even childbirth. The meanings of "mother" and "father" could not be more different in today's society and modern London. In the modern society, those terms are disgusting and imply childbirth, and outdated and taboo practice. In the reader's world, these words are still very much endearing, and the effect of the verbal irony is great.
The author uses irony often in the novel in order to be satirical, and he uses verbal irony when referring to "mother" and "father." In the world of the reader, these words have no negative connotation; they refer to the parents of children and are often terms of love and endearment. In modern London, the words are "smutty" and "pornographic," descriptions that would never be applied to parents in today's society. The author uses verbal irony to show the repercussions of a utopia. In their perfect society, all love and emotions have been stripped away from one of the most miraculous moments in today's society: the creation of life. Instead, creating life is simply a scientific process performed in a test tube. Words associated with childbirth- mother, father, baby- create disgust when uttered. The author shows that a drive towards a modern utopia can force people to sacrifice unimaginable things like love and even childbirth. The meanings of "mother" and "father" could not be more different in today's society and modern London. In the modern society, those terms are disgusting and imply childbirth, and outdated and taboo practice. In the reader's world, these words are still very much endearing, and the effect of the verbal irony is great.
Source of Strength: Chapter 9 of Brave New World
"'On the white wonder of dear Juliet's hand, may seize
And steal immortal blessing from her lips,
Who, even in pure and vestal modesty,
Still blush, as thinking their own kisses sin'" (144).
John often recites lines from Shakespeare to himself, drawing from the verses inspiration and strength. The words of Shakespeare have always served as a comfort to John, either on the Reservation or in London. When John struggles for words, he uses Shakespeare to explain his thoughts and feelings. He does this throughout the end of the novel, further alienating himself from others. People do not understand Shakespeare since they have never been exposed to his work, so they find the John's words strange and incomprehensible. John's love and understanding of Shakespeare further illustrates his individuality and his inability to fit into society. Although John sees the words of Shakespeare as inspirational, others cannot comprehend the meaning of the verses. The words from which John draws strength also cause him to become more separated from society, but the reader finds him more poetic and complex. The reader is probably familiar with Shakespeare and would find it shocking that classics like Shakespeare have been hidden from the people of London. The reader would also see that John is capable of understanding the deep emotions and themes within Shakespeare, making him more interesting to the reader.
And steal immortal blessing from her lips,
Who, even in pure and vestal modesty,
Still blush, as thinking their own kisses sin'" (144).
John often recites lines from Shakespeare to himself, drawing from the verses inspiration and strength. The words of Shakespeare have always served as a comfort to John, either on the Reservation or in London. When John struggles for words, he uses Shakespeare to explain his thoughts and feelings. He does this throughout the end of the novel, further alienating himself from others. People do not understand Shakespeare since they have never been exposed to his work, so they find the John's words strange and incomprehensible. John's love and understanding of Shakespeare further illustrates his individuality and his inability to fit into society. Although John sees the words of Shakespeare as inspirational, others cannot comprehend the meaning of the verses. The words from which John draws strength also cause him to become more separated from society, but the reader finds him more poetic and complex. The reader is probably familiar with Shakespeare and would find it shocking that classics like Shakespeare have been hidden from the people of London. The reader would also see that John is capable of understanding the deep emotions and themes within Shakespeare, making him more interesting to the reader.
Anecdote: Chapter 8 of Brave New World
"'I shall never understand, unless you explain.' 'Explain what?' 'This.' He indicated the pueblo. 'That.' And it was the little house outside the village. 'Everything. All your life'" (123).
Once Bernard is able to speak to John alone outside, he asks John to explain his way of life. Everything on the Reservation- John's home- is foreign to Bernard, but he longs to understand. John then gives a lengthy anecdote about his life as far back as he can remember. The purpose of John's story is to not only give the reader details about John and Linda and the Reservation, but also to illustrate how different John is from everyone else. John mentions that he is not accepted at the Reservation, and later he will not be accepted in the modern society. For instance, John reads Shakespeare which is highly taboo in both the Reservation and modern society. This establishes John as the protagonist, the one who tries to fight society. John's story prompts Bernard to bring him to London, giving John the opportunity to experience a life he had only heard about from Linda. John is also given the opportunity to attempt to initiate change and to challenge the ideals of the "utopia."
Once Bernard is able to speak to John alone outside, he asks John to explain his way of life. Everything on the Reservation- John's home- is foreign to Bernard, but he longs to understand. John then gives a lengthy anecdote about his life as far back as he can remember. The purpose of John's story is to not only give the reader details about John and Linda and the Reservation, but also to illustrate how different John is from everyone else. John mentions that he is not accepted at the Reservation, and later he will not be accepted in the modern society. For instance, John reads Shakespeare which is highly taboo in both the Reservation and modern society. This establishes John as the protagonist, the one who tries to fight society. John's story prompts Bernard to bring him to London, giving John the opportunity to experience a life he had only heard about from Linda. John is also given the opportunity to attempt to initiate change and to challenge the ideals of the "utopia."
Analogy: Chapter 7 of Brave New World
"The mesa was like a ship becalmed in a strait of lion-coloured dust" (107).
The author employs analogies and imagery to describe things the reader would consider beautiful: the ocean, flowers, and various landscapes. Although the reader finds these descriptions appropriate, most characters in the novel do not appreciate the beauty in the scenery. Since they have been trained to disregard such beauty, characters find these things uninteresting or strange. The purpose of this particular analogy is to show the reader how lovely the Reservation is, but it goes unnoticed by Lenina and Bernard. The reader is able to picture the natural landscape, untouched by modern society. In contrast to modern London, the Reservation's natural beauty has been preserved. This is a place where modern advancements have not taken over, plowing away nature to make room for modern conveniences. The characters find this place strange, but this is how the world was before the utopia was created. This further shows how the characters find the reader's entire world so unusual and outdated which distances the reader from the characters. At least one of these natural places still exist, preserving the ways of the old world.
The author employs analogies and imagery to describe things the reader would consider beautiful: the ocean, flowers, and various landscapes. Although the reader finds these descriptions appropriate, most characters in the novel do not appreciate the beauty in the scenery. Since they have been trained to disregard such beauty, characters find these things uninteresting or strange. The purpose of this particular analogy is to show the reader how lovely the Reservation is, but it goes unnoticed by Lenina and Bernard. The reader is able to picture the natural landscape, untouched by modern society. In contrast to modern London, the Reservation's natural beauty has been preserved. This is a place where modern advancements have not taken over, plowing away nature to make room for modern conveniences. The characters find this place strange, but this is how the world was before the utopia was created. This further shows how the characters find the reader's entire world so unusual and outdated which distances the reader from the characters. At least one of these natural places still exist, preserving the ways of the old world.
Aphorism: Chapter 6 of Brave New World
"'A gramme in time saves nine,' said Lenina, producing a bright treasure of sleep-taught wisdom" (89).
Many instances of aphorisms are shared by the characters in the novel. Those people often spurt these wise words from memory, as if the phrases were ingrained in their minds, ready for use. This of course is true since the people in the modern society are trained at birth with such phrases pounded into their minds for many years while they sleep. The aphorisms are effective because the reader realizes how delusional these people have become. They are brainwashed and lack wisdom of their own; they just recite what they have been taught. This further chips away at the idea of an utopia, revealing its imperfections. The people of society are not individuals; they are in essence trained robots. Whenever a hint of conflict arises, most characters resort to an aphorism and some soma to calm their nerves. The aphorisms make it quite clear that most people in society have been trained to the point of being brainwashed of all individual thoughts.
Many instances of aphorisms are shared by the characters in the novel. Those people often spurt these wise words from memory, as if the phrases were ingrained in their minds, ready for use. This of course is true since the people in the modern society are trained at birth with such phrases pounded into their minds for many years while they sleep. The aphorisms are effective because the reader realizes how delusional these people have become. They are brainwashed and lack wisdom of their own; they just recite what they have been taught. This further chips away at the idea of an utopia, revealing its imperfections. The people of society are not individuals; they are in essence trained robots. Whenever a hint of conflict arises, most characters resort to an aphorism and some soma to calm their nerves. The aphorisms make it quite clear that most people in society have been trained to the point of being brainwashed of all individual thoughts.
Colloquialism: Chapter 5 of Brave New World
"Thank Ford! he was not the last" (79).
Throughout the novel, many characters use Henry Ford's name much like people use God's name in vain. This is an example of colloquialism since many of the characters use Ford's name in various phrases but is not appropriate in formal settings, much like taking God's name in vain. Because Henry Ford is held in the highest regard in the society, he is probably perceived as a god. The colloquialism is effective because the reader is able to see how important Henry Ford is to the people of modern London. Throughout the novel, characters refer to Ford in various manners. The reader realizes how important Ford and his inventions and improvements are to the people. Since the society is consumed by processes, they probably appreciate Ford's improvements on processes, like with the assembly line. The people are produced in a complicated assembly line, so the reverence for Ford makes sense. The meaning behind the colloquialisms becomes apparent as they are used often in the novel.
Throughout the novel, many characters use Henry Ford's name much like people use God's name in vain. This is an example of colloquialism since many of the characters use Ford's name in various phrases but is not appropriate in formal settings, much like taking God's name in vain. Because Henry Ford is held in the highest regard in the society, he is probably perceived as a god. The colloquialism is effective because the reader is able to see how important Henry Ford is to the people of modern London. Throughout the novel, characters refer to Ford in various manners. The reader realizes how important Ford and his inventions and improvements are to the people. Since the society is consumed by processes, they probably appreciate Ford's improvements on processes, like with the assembly line. The people are produced in a complicated assembly line, so the reverence for Ford makes sense. The meaning behind the colloquialisms becomes apparent as they are used often in the novel.
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