"Drawn by the fascination of the horror of pain and, from within, impelled by that habit of cooperation, that desire for unanimity and atonement, which their conditioning had so ineradicably implanted in them, they began to mime the frenzy of his gestures, striking at one another as the Savage struck at his own rebellious flesh, or at that plump incarnation of turpitude writhing in the heather at his feet." (Brave New World, page 258)
The ending of this book thoroughly confused me. But from this quote, I think a theme was instituted. These people have had sayings drilled in their head starting at infancy of what they were supposed to do. Their whole life was planned out for them and they were not to differentiate from society. I think there is a theme of corruption and perfection there. The people in power strive for a perfect world when in reality there is no such thing.
I think John symbolizes the victim. He is someone who wanted to belong but wanted to belong to a society who did what was morally right. Whether he lived in the uncivilized or civilized world, he never fit in. I think there was the theme that everyone desires to belong to something and few people are brave enough to speak out against an injustice. John lived in a world that did not accept him and I think he realized that in the end. It was sad to see how the people treated him and it makes me realize how this kind of situation exists in our world today.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Seeking Change- 19
"He said he wanted to go on with the experiment. But I'm damned," the Savage added, with sudden fury, "I'm damned if I'll go on being experimented with. Not for all the Controllers in the world. I shall go away to-morrow too."
"But where?" the others asked in unison.
The Savage shrugged his shoulders. "Anywhere. I don't care. So long as I can be alone." (Brave New World, page 243)
I think John is just misunderstood. He has good intentions at heart but he fails to properly express himself to others. He wanted to help people, he really did. However, without the consent of the Controller or anyone else in power, there was not much he could accomplish. It's kind of like the song Waiting on the World to Change by John Mayer. One of the lyrics is, "it's hard to beat the system when we're standing at a distance". In this type of society, a person can't change anything unless they are in a place of power. John did not hold a political position, so he couldn't reform society.
Nevertheless, John does have an influence over people. Because he is so different, people are attracted to him. When he goes off to live in solitude, reporters follow him because they find his actions interesting. I think people listen to John but they can't take him seriously. He grew up in an uncivilized world. I guess it would be like if someone ran into Roncalli preaching about many gods who saved him. Everyone would think the man was ridiculous because we already have a firm belief in one God. The hardest thing to do is change someone's mind, so I'm not surprised John did not succeed.
"But where?" the others asked in unison.
The Savage shrugged his shoulders. "Anywhere. I don't care. So long as I can be alone." (Brave New World, page 243)
I think John is just misunderstood. He has good intentions at heart but he fails to properly express himself to others. He wanted to help people, he really did. However, without the consent of the Controller or anyone else in power, there was not much he could accomplish. It's kind of like the song Waiting on the World to Change by John Mayer. One of the lyrics is, "it's hard to beat the system when we're standing at a distance". In this type of society, a person can't change anything unless they are in a place of power. John did not hold a political position, so he couldn't reform society.
Nevertheless, John does have an influence over people. Because he is so different, people are attracted to him. When he goes off to live in solitude, reporters follow him because they find his actions interesting. I think people listen to John but they can't take him seriously. He grew up in an uncivilized world. I guess it would be like if someone ran into Roncalli preaching about many gods who saved him. Everyone would think the man was ridiculous because we already have a firm belief in one God. The hardest thing to do is change someone's mind, so I'm not surprised John did not succeed.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Heroes and Endings-18
"If you allowed yourselves to think of God, you wouldn't allow yourselves to be degraded by pleasant vices. You'd have a reason for bearing things patiently, for doing things with courage. I've seen it with the Indians." (Brave New World, page 236)
Chapter 17 is basically a quarrel between John and Mustapha Mond. I think this chapter shows that John is the protagonist of the story. At first, I thought Bernard would be the protagonist but he has not really been too heroic. I think John possesses all the characteristics of the protagonist. He is brave and willing to stand up for what he believes in, which in this case is freedom and individuality. He is also humble and not overly confident in himself.
I really have no idea how this story is going to end. I thought John and Helmotz might be able to create some sort of rebellion and change but it doesn't look like that's going to happen. Now it sounds like John, Helmotz, and Bernard are going to be sent to an island. I understand what the Controller is saying when he says that the island would be good for the men because I think it would be. However, I feel like that would just be a horrible ending. And then they were sent to an island...and?? I want something big to happen! I don't know what, just something big.
Chapter 17 is basically a quarrel between John and Mustapha Mond. I think this chapter shows that John is the protagonist of the story. At first, I thought Bernard would be the protagonist but he has not really been too heroic. I think John possesses all the characteristics of the protagonist. He is brave and willing to stand up for what he believes in, which in this case is freedom and individuality. He is also humble and not overly confident in himself.
I really have no idea how this story is going to end. I thought John and Helmotz might be able to create some sort of rebellion and change but it doesn't look like that's going to happen. Now it sounds like John, Helmotz, and Bernard are going to be sent to an island. I understand what the Controller is saying when he says that the island would be good for the men because I think it would be. However, I feel like that would just be a horrible ending. And then they were sent to an island...and?? I want something big to happen! I don't know what, just something big.
Not What They Seem-17
"The Controller sighed. "Very nearly what's going to happen to you young men. I was on the point of being sent to an island." (Brave New World, page 226)
The farther along I get in the story, the more I realize that no character is quite what they seem. The World Controller who appears to believe whole-heartedly in the type of civilization he is running was actually searching for other answers just like Helmotz and John. The Director of Hatchery who preached no emotional attachment clearly had strong feelings for Linda. Bernard Marx who originally came off as a brave man who wasn't afraid to be different is now begging for mercy from the Controller.
It's very interesting to see the true side of these characters. However, even though the Controller understands what John and Helmotz are saying, he still refuses to change the society.
I also found it interesting that there was religion, beauty, and truth before something called the Nine Years' War. It's like the war caused people to realize that all that stuff isn't important and society has to be controlled or else war will break out again. It kind of makes me wonder if that thought has ever crossed the minds of our leaders today. I guess in some ways it has, with leaders such as Saddam Hussein. It's intimidating to think that our society could ever possibly be like the one in Brave New World some day.
The farther along I get in the story, the more I realize that no character is quite what they seem. The World Controller who appears to believe whole-heartedly in the type of civilization he is running was actually searching for other answers just like Helmotz and John. The Director of Hatchery who preached no emotional attachment clearly had strong feelings for Linda. Bernard Marx who originally came off as a brave man who wasn't afraid to be different is now begging for mercy from the Controller.
It's very interesting to see the true side of these characters. However, even though the Controller understands what John and Helmotz are saying, he still refuses to change the society.
I also found it interesting that there was religion, beauty, and truth before something called the Nine Years' War. It's like the war caused people to realize that all that stuff isn't important and society has to be controlled or else war will break out again. It kind of makes me wonder if that thought has ever crossed the minds of our leaders today. I guess in some ways it has, with leaders such as Saddam Hussein. It's intimidating to think that our society could ever possibly be like the one in Brave New World some day.
Monday, June 27, 2011
O Captain, My Captain-16
"Don't you want to be free and men? Don't you even understand what manhood and freedom are?" (Brave New World, page 213)
After Linda dies, John gets the urge inside of him to make a change. He feels like "it was a challenge, a command". I really liked this scene because I felt like something big was about to happen. I don't know if anyone will listen to John because he is considered a "savage". On the other hand, being a savage might be a reason people will listen to him because he knows another life.
John's outburst reminds me of one of my favorite movies, Dead Poets Society. John is like the teacher in the movie, Mr. Keating, in the sense that they both have no desire to play by the rules or try to please others. They also both have good intentions and want to help others realize that they need to live their own lives and be true to themselves. I hope John can open people eyes to another lifestyle outside of soma and "every one belongs to every one else".
After Linda dies, John gets the urge inside of him to make a change. He feels like "it was a challenge, a command". I really liked this scene because I felt like something big was about to happen. I don't know if anyone will listen to John because he is considered a "savage". On the other hand, being a savage might be a reason people will listen to him because he knows another life.
John's outburst reminds me of one of my favorite movies, Dead Poets Society. John is like the teacher in the movie, Mr. Keating, in the sense that they both have no desire to play by the rules or try to please others. They also both have good intentions and want to help others realize that they need to live their own lives and be true to themselves. I hope John can open people eyes to another lifestyle outside of soma and "every one belongs to every one else".
Death-15
"Undoing all their wholesome death-conditioning with this disgusting outcry-as though death were something terrible, as though any one mattered as much as all that!" (Brave New World, page 206)
A nurse states this quote as she is witnessing children watching John mourn the lost of his mother. The paradox appears completely ridiculous because as the readers, we don't understand how someone could not mourn after a death. However, the statement is a paradox because it contains the truth that in this place, death is looked upon as a necessity and not a tragedy. I think the paradox is effective because it really makes the reader recognize how different this society is from our own, where death is really not taken seriously at all, just accepted.
John has now lost the only person who he was close to. Nevertheless, not even Linda fully understood John because she too was raised in the civilized society. It's very difficult for me to comprehend the idea of not having a family and not mourning after death. I feel like the reader can relate to John because he too does not understand the ways of this society.
I don't know if John will completely give up and lose hope or strive to change the society. I feel like he is the type of person who seeks change.
A nurse states this quote as she is witnessing children watching John mourn the lost of his mother. The paradox appears completely ridiculous because as the readers, we don't understand how someone could not mourn after a death. However, the statement is a paradox because it contains the truth that in this place, death is looked upon as a necessity and not a tragedy. I think the paradox is effective because it really makes the reader recognize how different this society is from our own, where death is really not taken seriously at all, just accepted.
John has now lost the only person who he was close to. Nevertheless, not even Linda fully understood John because she too was raised in the civilized society. It's very difficult for me to comprehend the idea of not having a family and not mourning after death. I feel like the reader can relate to John because he too does not understand the ways of this society.
I don't know if John will completely give up and lose hope or strive to change the society. I feel like he is the type of person who seeks change.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Love Gone Bad-14
"Opening her eyes, she had seen his face-no, not his face, a ferocious stranger's, pale, distorted, twitching with some insane, inexplicable fury." (Brave New World, page 194)
Lenina and John both have feelings for each other, but are obviously very different. They both don't really know each other so they only have a physical attraction for the other person. John lashes out at Lenina when she tries to seduce him. The author is using motivation. The reason John is acting like this towards Lenina is because it is the way he was raised. He grew up in a society where it was shameful for a man to have more than one woman. He was brought up with the kind of values we are today, such as marriage and chastity.
Lenina does not understand John at all because she does not even know what marriage is. I don't think it was right for John to react to Lenina the way he did, but he couldn't really help it. I think he truly likes Lenina, but I don't know where they are going to go from here. Lenina is clearly terrified of John now and will probably not want to see him again. Probably...
Lenina and John both have feelings for each other, but are obviously very different. They both don't really know each other so they only have a physical attraction for the other person. John lashes out at Lenina when she tries to seduce him. The author is using motivation. The reason John is acting like this towards Lenina is because it is the way he was raised. He grew up in a society where it was shameful for a man to have more than one woman. He was brought up with the kind of values we are today, such as marriage and chastity.
Lenina does not understand John at all because she does not even know what marriage is. I don't think it was right for John to react to Lenina the way he did, but he couldn't really help it. I think he truly likes Lenina, but I don't know where they are going to go from here. Lenina is clearly terrified of John now and will probably not want to see him again. Probably...
Evaluating Characters-13
"Well, I'd rather be unhappy than have the sort of false, lying happiness you were having here." (Brave New World, page 179)
For being considered an outcast and different, John seems to have the most insight and common sense out of any character. He knows Bernard was just lying to himself in thinking that people genuinely liked him and accepted him. At first, I admired Bernard for wanting to be different and break out of the rules of society. However, as the story progresses, Bernard just wanted people to like him all along and he was only being different because people were treating him differently. Nevertheless, I understand where Bernard is coming from because everyone wants to be accepted.
John, on the other hand, does not seem to care at all what people think about him. He says what he feels. I'm wondering if he feels like the Other Place is all he thought it was going to be. So far, the only thing that seems to interest him is Lenina.
I"m starting to find Helmoltz very interesting. He seems to be like John in the sense that he doesn't care what other people think about him and he isn't afraid to test his limits. Maybe that is why him and John get along so well.
Bernard's situation makes me think of the song The Middle by Jimmy Eat World because he's trying to find his place and figure out exactly who he is.
For being considered an outcast and different, John seems to have the most insight and common sense out of any character. He knows Bernard was just lying to himself in thinking that people genuinely liked him and accepted him. At first, I admired Bernard for wanting to be different and break out of the rules of society. However, as the story progresses, Bernard just wanted people to like him all along and he was only being different because people were treating him differently. Nevertheless, I understand where Bernard is coming from because everyone wants to be accepted.
John, on the other hand, does not seem to care at all what people think about him. He says what he feels. I'm wondering if he feels like the Other Place is all he thought it was going to be. So far, the only thing that seems to interest him is Lenina.
I"m starting to find Helmoltz very interesting. He seems to be like John in the sense that he doesn't care what other people think about him and he isn't afraid to test his limits. Maybe that is why him and John get along so well.
Bernard's situation makes me think of the song The Middle by Jimmy Eat World because he's trying to find his place and figure out exactly who he is.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Tension Building-12
"Pale, wild-eyed, the Director glared about him in an agony of bewildered humiliation." (Brave New World, page 152)
The point when Bernard is about to be punished and sent away and then brings out John and Linda to the Director I feel like is the rising action of the plot. The reader can feel the situation building and is just waiting to see what the Director will say when he sees Linda and John. I knew that he would be shocked and embarrassed but I didn't know if maybe he would still feel love for Linda. I also didn't know that he would be so embarrassed that he would quit his job and never return.
This just further exemplifies what kind of society they are living in. A society that forbids emotional attachment to anyone or anything. I also feel like this point in the novel is the rising action because Bernard is beginning to experience power and popularity for the first time. All his life, he has wanted to be accepted and now he is. However, the reader can feel that something bad is going to happen. At least I know I do.
The point when Bernard is about to be punished and sent away and then brings out John and Linda to the Director I feel like is the rising action of the plot. The reader can feel the situation building and is just waiting to see what the Director will say when he sees Linda and John. I knew that he would be shocked and embarrassed but I didn't know if maybe he would still feel love for Linda. I also didn't know that he would be so embarrassed that he would quit his job and never return.
This just further exemplifies what kind of society they are living in. A society that forbids emotional attachment to anyone or anything. I also feel like this point in the novel is the rising action because Bernard is beginning to experience power and popularity for the first time. All his life, he has wanted to be accepted and now he is. However, the reader can feel that something bad is going to happen. At least I know I do.
Love Story Brewing-11
"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."
(Brave New World, page 144)
John speaks these words while he watches Lenina sleep. He is using an allusion to compare his attraction to Lenina to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. I think this allusion is effective because it shows again how different John and Lenina's worlds are. Romeo and Juliet were from completely different families who hated each other; therefore, they couldn't be together. John is from an uncivilized world that values religion and literature such as Shakespeare. Lenina, on the other hand, if from a civilized world that values science and facts.
I feel like our world today is a mixture of the two. We do value science and reason but we haven't taken it to the kind of extremes in Brave New World. We still value family time, religion, and literature. I'm wondering if the novel will turn into somewhat of a love story between John and Lenina?
And steal immortal blessing from her lips,
Who, even in pure and vestal modesty,
Still blush, as thinking their own kisses sin."
(Brave New World, page 144)
John speaks these words while he watches Lenina sleep. He is using an allusion to compare his attraction to Lenina to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. I think this allusion is effective because it shows again how different John and Lenina's worlds are. Romeo and Juliet were from completely different families who hated each other; therefore, they couldn't be together. John is from an uncivilized world that values religion and literature such as Shakespeare. Lenina, on the other hand, if from a civilized world that values science and facts.
I feel like our world today is a mixture of the two. We do value science and reason but we haven't taken it to the kind of extremes in Brave New World. We still value family time, religion, and literature. I'm wondering if the novel will turn into somewhat of a love story between John and Lenina?
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Breaking Free-10
"Are you?" John looked surprised. "I thought that in the Other Place...I mean, Linda always said that nobody was ever alone there." (Brave New World, page 137)
So far, this book has made me incredibly sad. I really feel for Bernard because although he has his flaws, I feel like he just wants to belong. He doesn't want to just do what everyone else wants him to do, he wants to be free and be able to share his feelings. As an outcast, he feels completely alone and I thought that once he experienced a world outside of the hatchery, he would find happiness.
However, then John is introduced who lives in an uncivilized society and is just as unhappy as Bernard. I think Bernard and John will really understand each other because they are basically in the same situation. However, John clearly has feelings for Lenina which might cause problems in the future. I wonder what will happen once John is introduced to the Other Place. Will he still want to marry Lenina? Will he conform and become just like the rest of them?
I'm not sure if Bernard and John are going to be able to completely free themselves from their pasts and the way they were raised. Even though people can change, their past will always be a part of them.
So far, this book has made me incredibly sad. I really feel for Bernard because although he has his flaws, I feel like he just wants to belong. He doesn't want to just do what everyone else wants him to do, he wants to be free and be able to share his feelings. As an outcast, he feels completely alone and I thought that once he experienced a world outside of the hatchery, he would find happiness.
However, then John is introduced who lives in an uncivilized society and is just as unhappy as Bernard. I think Bernard and John will really understand each other because they are basically in the same situation. However, John clearly has feelings for Lenina which might cause problems in the future. I wonder what will happen once John is introduced to the Other Place. Will he still want to marry Lenina? Will he conform and become just like the rest of them?
I'm not sure if Bernard and John are going to be able to completely free themselves from their pasts and the way they were raised. Even though people can change, their past will always be a part of them.
Trying to fit in-9
"The boys began to point their fingers at him. In the strange other words they said Linda was bad; they called her names he did not understand, but that he knew were bad names." (Brave New World, page 129)
In chapter 8, Bernard begins talking to John and learns about his past. As the son of a woman from the Other Place living in a uncivilized society, an external conflict was clearly present. John and Linda didn't know how to live in the uncivilized society because they didn't understand the culture and values. The external conflict between John and Linda and the society is very effective because it shows how different the two societies are. It's funny how John always dreamed of going to the Other Place because he hated living with savages and thought everything would be better in a "perfect" world. While on the other hand, Bernard is dying to break free of the Other Place.
Bernard and John have a lot in common because they are both struggling to fit into to a world that doesn't accept them. Just like in the beginning of the movie The Sandlot, Smalls knows nothing about baseball; therefore, he doesn't fit in with the team. He's constantly getting picked on but once he learns the ropes of the game, he begins to fit in. I feel like this is true in everyday life today and in the societies in Brave New World: until you conform to what society wants, you won't be accepted.
In chapter 8, Bernard begins talking to John and learns about his past. As the son of a woman from the Other Place living in a uncivilized society, an external conflict was clearly present. John and Linda didn't know how to live in the uncivilized society because they didn't understand the culture and values. The external conflict between John and Linda and the society is very effective because it shows how different the two societies are. It's funny how John always dreamed of going to the Other Place because he hated living with savages and thought everything would be better in a "perfect" world. While on the other hand, Bernard is dying to break free of the Other Place.
Bernard and John have a lot in common because they are both struggling to fit into to a world that doesn't accept them. Just like in the beginning of the movie The Sandlot, Smalls knows nothing about baseball; therefore, he doesn't fit in with the team. He's constantly getting picked on but once he learns the ropes of the game, he begins to fit in. I feel like this is true in everyday life today and in the societies in Brave New World: until you conform to what society wants, you won't be accepted.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Breaking the chains-8
"It makes me feel as though...as though I were more me, if you see what I mean. More on my own, not so completely a part of something else. Not just a cell in the social body. Doesn't it make you feel like that, Lenina?" (Brave New World, page 90)
It makes me happy to see that someone wants to break loose of the social boundaries. I find it so hard to believe that every single person is perfectly fine with their life and doesn't mind not being completely individual. These people are getting drilled in their head from infancy catchphrases such as every one belongs to every one else and cubic centimetre cures ten gloomy sentiments. All the characters recite these phrases to diminish any of their doubts and to reassure themselves. Bernard is the only one who wants to be free of the social castes. I don't know if it's because he feels like such an outsider or because he just really wants to live his life the way he wants.
When Bernard has a conversation with the Director, the reader gets a glimpse of the Director's past. The Director almost shows some emotion but he quickly hides it. I wonder if everyone has these kinds of thoughts but some people are just better at hiding it than others. However, most characters such as Lenina are good people but firmly believe they are just a part of the social circle and have no individual meaning. I'm curious to know where they story will go from here and if anyone else will show some emotion.
It makes me happy to see that someone wants to break loose of the social boundaries. I find it so hard to believe that every single person is perfectly fine with their life and doesn't mind not being completely individual. These people are getting drilled in their head from infancy catchphrases such as every one belongs to every one else and cubic centimetre cures ten gloomy sentiments. All the characters recite these phrases to diminish any of their doubts and to reassure themselves. Bernard is the only one who wants to be free of the social castes. I don't know if it's because he feels like such an outsider or because he just really wants to live his life the way he wants.
When Bernard has a conversation with the Director, the reader gets a glimpse of the Director's past. The Director almost shows some emotion but he quickly hides it. I wonder if everyone has these kinds of thoughts but some people are just better at hiding it than others. However, most characters such as Lenina are good people but firmly believe they are just a part of the social circle and have no individual meaning. I'm curious to know where they story will go from here and if anyone else will show some emotion.
Oh My Ford-7
"Oh, for Ford's sake, be quiet!" (Brave New World, page 90)
"Thank Ford," she said to herself, "he's all right again." (Brave New World, page 92)
The unique dialect of Brave New World helps explain what kind of society the characters live in. It seems that Ford is like their God. Just as people today say "oh my god!" or "for heavens sake" people in the novel use Ford's name. I think the use of this dialect is very effective because it shows how big of a role Ford has in the society. He is so well-known and powerful that his name is used in everyday dialogue.
So far for me, Brave New World has not been very easy to comprehend. However, I gain a lot of knowledge through the dialogue the characters have and the manner in which it is said. The dialect allows the reader to imagine that they are in the same setting as the characters and makes the characters relatable. I interpret the dialect of the characters as if someone was speaking in an accent. I understand what they are saying but the way they say it makes it more difficult to interpret.
"Thank Ford," she said to herself, "he's all right again." (Brave New World, page 92)
The unique dialect of Brave New World helps explain what kind of society the characters live in. It seems that Ford is like their God. Just as people today say "oh my god!" or "for heavens sake" people in the novel use Ford's name. I think the use of this dialect is very effective because it shows how big of a role Ford has in the society. He is so well-known and powerful that his name is used in everyday dialogue.
So far for me, Brave New World has not been very easy to comprehend. However, I gain a lot of knowledge through the dialogue the characters have and the manner in which it is said. The dialect allows the reader to imagine that they are in the same setting as the characters and makes the characters relatable. I interpret the dialect of the characters as if someone was speaking in an accent. I understand what they are saying but the way they say it makes it more difficult to interpret.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Tag Team-6
"...a feeling that I've got something important to say and the power to say it-only I don't know what it is, and I can't make any use of the power." (Brave New World, page 69)
Chapter 4 introduces a new character named Helmoltz Watson. He is pretty much the All-American guy with his charming good looks, effortless intelligence, and popularity among his colleagues. I find it interesting that he is friends with Bernard Marx. Bernard is extremely insecure and often gets uncomfortable being around his equals. Helmoltz on the other hand seems like the type of person who is extremely sure of himself and never lacks confidence in his abilities.
However, when he says the above quote, it makes me wonder what is coming next. I think both of these characters are going to become important and possibly create an important change. I feel like Bernard is the only character so far who has shown any signs of emotion. He is different that's for sure. I think he is someone who doesn't agree with everything that is going on and would be open to changing things. Although I don't think he alone can't change anything, maybe if he teams up with Helmoltz, something can be accomplished.
Bernard and Helmoltz remind me of Captain Kirk and Spock from Star Trek. Kirk is the handsome, popular one like Helmoltz and Spock is the one who is different looking but still is intelligent like Bernard.
Chapter 4 introduces a new character named Helmoltz Watson. He is pretty much the All-American guy with his charming good looks, effortless intelligence, and popularity among his colleagues. I find it interesting that he is friends with Bernard Marx. Bernard is extremely insecure and often gets uncomfortable being around his equals. Helmoltz on the other hand seems like the type of person who is extremely sure of himself and never lacks confidence in his abilities.
However, when he says the above quote, it makes me wonder what is coming next. I think both of these characters are going to become important and possibly create an important change. I feel like Bernard is the only character so far who has shown any signs of emotion. He is different that's for sure. I think he is someone who doesn't agree with everything that is going on and would be open to changing things. Although I don't think he alone can't change anything, maybe if he teams up with Helmoltz, something can be accomplished.
Bernard and Helmoltz remind me of Captain Kirk and Spock from Star Trek. Kirk is the handsome, popular one like Helmoltz and Spock is the one who is different looking but still is intelligent like Bernard.
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What is a home?-5
"Home, home-a few small rooms, stiflingly over-inhabited by a man, by a periodically teeming woman, by a rabble of boys and girls of all ages. No air, no space; an understerilized prison; darkness, disease, and smells." (Brave New World, page 37)
The Contoller is explaining to the students what past life was like with family and homes. In our world today, the family and the home are extremely important to almost every human being. Most people today visualize the home as a place of love and comfort and a place to go to when all else fails. However, the Controller's description of the home is situational irony. It is the complete opposite of what the reader knows and expects.
This situational irony really puts into perspective the atmosphere and tone of the novel. The Controller's explanation of the home provides an evil and destructive image and makes the students cringe just thinking about it. The description of the past and how awful homes and families were helps the reader understand why the Hatchery and Condition Centre exists. How reproduction works and why every one belongs to every one else is starting to make sense. There are still plenty of unanswered questions though...
The Contoller is explaining to the students what past life was like with family and homes. In our world today, the family and the home are extremely important to almost every human being. Most people today visualize the home as a place of love and comfort and a place to go to when all else fails. However, the Controller's description of the home is situational irony. It is the complete opposite of what the reader knows and expects.
This situational irony really puts into perspective the atmosphere and tone of the novel. The Controller's explanation of the home provides an evil and destructive image and makes the students cringe just thinking about it. The description of the past and how awful homes and families were helps the reader understand why the Hatchery and Condition Centre exists. How reproduction works and why every one belongs to every one else is starting to make sense. There are still plenty of unanswered questions though...
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.-4
"Stability," said the Controller, "stability. No civilization without social stability. No social stability without individual stability." (Brave New World, page 42)
"Stability," insisted the Controller, "stability. The primal and the ultimate need. Stability. Hence all this." (pg. 43)
"After all, everyone one belongs to everyone else." "Yes, every one belongs to every one else," Lenina repeated slowly and sighing, was silent for a moment..." (page 43)
Stability. Every one belongs to everyone else. These anaphoras emphasis the author's key points and purposes. The Controller continuously repeats the word stability showing that without it, society will not be successful. I'm guessing that what he means by stability is that each person can not depend on others. That's why there are no families and no emotional attachment because everyone has to be independent.
However, I feel like that sort of contradicts the phrase "every one belongs to every one else". If everyone is independent then how does every one belong to every one else? I feel like maybe this phrase is being used to describe reproduction. Every man can be with every woman. There is no marriage, no relationships, again no emotional attachments. These anaphoras display the themes of total control and perfection.
Anaphoras are used to convey to the reader what they should be paying attention to. Just like Randy Jackson on American Idol says his two favorite anaphoras "what kind of show is this?" and "in it to win it" to emphasis his points. :)
"Stability," insisted the Controller, "stability. The primal and the ultimate need. Stability. Hence all this." (pg. 43)
"After all, everyone one belongs to everyone else." "Yes, every one belongs to every one else," Lenina repeated slowly and sighing, was silent for a moment..." (page 43)
Stability. Every one belongs to everyone else. These anaphoras emphasis the author's key points and purposes. The Controller continuously repeats the word stability showing that without it, society will not be successful. I'm guessing that what he means by stability is that each person can not depend on others. That's why there are no families and no emotional attachment because everyone has to be independent.
However, I feel like that sort of contradicts the phrase "every one belongs to every one else". If everyone is independent then how does every one belong to every one else? I feel like maybe this phrase is being used to describe reproduction. Every man can be with every woman. There is no marriage, no relationships, again no emotional attachments. These anaphoras display the themes of total control and perfection.
Anaphoras are used to convey to the reader what they should be paying attention to. Just like Randy Jackson on American Idol says his two favorite anaphoras "what kind of show is this?" and "in it to win it" to emphasis his points. :)
The Power of Storytelling-3
"While the child was asleep , a broadcast programme from London suddenly started to come through; and the next morning, to the astonishment of his crash...Little Reuben woke up repeating word for word a long lecture by the curious old writer...George Bernard Shaw, who was speaking, according to a well-authenticated tradition, about his own genius." (Brave New World, page 34)
The Director is conveying an anecdote to his students to help them comprehend how hypnopaedia (sleep teaching) is instituted. As a reader, I think the author's use of this anecdote is helpful in understanding not only what sleep teaching is but also why people thought it was necessary. Another anecdote follows in which a child repeats facts about the Nile river in his sleep but can not regurgitate the material while awake. Again I feel like anecdotes are very powerful in literature because they create a more interesting atmosphere to a sometimes dull read. A lot of the futuristic and scientific terms the author uses are hard to take in but these short anecdotes allow the reader to say "ahhh now i understand".
Anecdotes also play a important role in the movie Big Fish. A son tells numerous anecdotes in order to explain his father's life. These short stories bring out the theme of adventure and forgiveness in the movie. I think Aldous Huxley uses anecdotes in Brave New World also to emphasis the various themes of the novel.
The Director is conveying an anecdote to his students to help them comprehend how hypnopaedia (sleep teaching) is instituted. As a reader, I think the author's use of this anecdote is helpful in understanding not only what sleep teaching is but also why people thought it was necessary. Another anecdote follows in which a child repeats facts about the Nile river in his sleep but can not regurgitate the material while awake. Again I feel like anecdotes are very powerful in literature because they create a more interesting atmosphere to a sometimes dull read. A lot of the futuristic and scientific terms the author uses are hard to take in but these short anecdotes allow the reader to say "ahhh now i understand".
Anecdotes also play a important role in the movie Big Fish. A son tells numerous anecdotes in order to explain his father's life. These short stories bring out the theme of adventure and forgiveness in the movie. I think Aldous Huxley uses anecdotes in Brave New World also to emphasis the various themes of the novel.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
A Perfect Society-2
"And that," put in the Director sententiously, "that is the secret of happiness and virtue-liking what you've got to do. All conditioning aims at that: making people like their unescapable social destiny." (Brave New World, page 16)
Brave New World begins with an idea to create a perfect society where everyone has a specific purpose and everyone accepts that purpose that was laid out for them. For me, this idea is frightening because it's difficult to visualize a world where I wouldn't get to choose what kind of person I want to be, it would already have been decided. It really amazes me that the author had this vision back in the 1930's because I can not even visualize it happening now.
I'm still a little confused on why this "perfect society" is necessary and how it came about. The Director and his colleagues feel that more can be accomplished and achieved if everyone filled a specific role in society and did their job appropriately. However, I think power and greed is also a huge aspect that is leaking into these experiments. And whose to say that there won't be a rebellion from the people? And is anyone going to take a stand against the Director thinking that all of this manipulation might be wrong? I guess only time will tell.
Brave New World begins with an idea to create a perfect society where everyone has a specific purpose and everyone accepts that purpose that was laid out for them. For me, this idea is frightening because it's difficult to visualize a world where I wouldn't get to choose what kind of person I want to be, it would already have been decided. It really amazes me that the author had this vision back in the 1930's because I can not even visualize it happening now.
I'm still a little confused on why this "perfect society" is necessary and how it came about. The Director and his colleagues feel that more can be accomplished and achieved if everyone filled a specific role in society and did their job appropriately. However, I think power and greed is also a huge aspect that is leaking into these experiments. And whose to say that there won't be a rebellion from the people? And is anyone going to take a stand against the Director thinking that all of this manipulation might be wrong? I guess only time will tell.
Monday, June 13, 2011
From Darkness to Light-1
"Embryos are like photograph film," said Mr. Foster waggishly, as he pushed open the second door. "They can only stand red light." (Brave New World, page 11)
In this simile, Mr. Foster is comparing embryos to photograph film. I think this simile is effective because the idea of fertilization, embryos, and mass production can get confusing and photograph film is a universal term that all readers will be able to comprehend. The author goes on to explain that the students had been in darkness but now a "visible and crimson" light exposed the embryos. Photograph film can not be seen until it is under red light. Just as photographers take great interest in their photos and manipulate them into the work of art they want, the scientists are manipulating the embryos into what they want. I think the author also uses this simile because it shows how Mr. Foster is trying to help the students understand what is taking place at the centre. He doesn't expect the students to fully grasp what kind of work goes on, and I don't think he or the Director wants the students to know every little detail about what they are doing to the embryos. By comparing the embryos to photograph film, Mr. Foster is downplaying the harsh truths about how much the workers are manipulating the embryos.
In this simile, Mr. Foster is comparing embryos to photograph film. I think this simile is effective because the idea of fertilization, embryos, and mass production can get confusing and photograph film is a universal term that all readers will be able to comprehend. The author goes on to explain that the students had been in darkness but now a "visible and crimson" light exposed the embryos. Photograph film can not be seen until it is under red light. Just as photographers take great interest in their photos and manipulate them into the work of art they want, the scientists are manipulating the embryos into what they want. I think the author also uses this simile because it shows how Mr. Foster is trying to help the students understand what is taking place at the centre. He doesn't expect the students to fully grasp what kind of work goes on, and I don't think he or the Director wants the students to know every little detail about what they are doing to the embryos. By comparing the embryos to photograph film, Mr. Foster is downplaying the harsh truths about how much the workers are manipulating the embryos.
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