Literature Analysis #2

Brave New World- Aldous Huxley

1.       The novel begins with the description of advanced technology that has seems to have taken control of society, replacing the natural birth of children and branding preconceived ideas into their brains. We also witness a rigid caste system consisting of Alphas, Betas, Gammas, Deltas, and Epsilons in which each of the members are preconditioned to join. We are introduced to one of the protagonists, Bernard, who is different from the rest not only due to his physical appearance but also because he refuses to take soma and to adopt all the habits that the rest of the Alphas have. Bernard is fond of Lenina, and invites her to go to the Savage Reservation with him in New Mexico. She accepts because she finds Bernard intriguing, different, and a little weird. While at the reservation they meet Linda and John, the Director’s lost companion and son, and decide to bring them back with them. The Savage (John) causes much commotion and interest among the Alphas however he finds it extremely difficult to accept everything that is happening around him. He is disgusted by the promiscuity, lack of love, brainwashing, and lack of willpower. In the end he creates havoc by trying to throw away the soma (the substance that anesthetizes and gives a false sense of happiness), they banish Bernard, and John commits suicide.

2.       The theme of the story lies in the fact that we cannot have true happiness and love without having pain, sadness, and destruction. And once we try to get rid of that and create a world with individuals whom live in blissful ignorance, then we lose everything that makes us human.

3.       The author conveys a satirical and tragic tone throughout the novel as he conveys a world in which humanity has been lost and individuals are brainwashed puppets.

4.       Repetition

“… and the Delta children wear khaki. Oh no, I don’t want to play with Delta Children. And Epsilons are still worse.” pg 27

Personification

“… a harsh thin light glared through the windows, hungrily seeking some draped lay figure…” pg 3

“The light was frozen, dead, a ghost.” pg 3

“Tears stood in the young man’s eyes…” pg 117

Imagery

“… lying along the polished tubes like butter, streak after luscious streak I long recession down the work tables.” pg 3

Simile

“Thousands of petals, ripe-blown and silkily smooth, like the cheeks of innumerable little cherubs…” pg 19

“Like the vague torsos of fabulous athletes, huge fleshy clouds lolled on the blue air above their heads.” pg 61

Rhyme

“Ending is better than mending. The more stitches, the less riches…” pg 49

Allusion

“And a man called Shakespeare. You’ve never heard of them of course.” pg 51

“On the white wonder of dear Juliet’s hand, may seize
And steal immortal blessing from her lips…” pg 144

Antithesis

“I am I, and I wish I wasn’t.” pg 64

“ – there she remained; and yet wasn’t there at all…” pg 155

Onomatopoeia

“An incessant buzzing of helicopters filled the twilight. Every two and a half minutes a bell and the screech of whistles…” pg 72

“… the whistle of the lash and its loud flat-sounding impact on flesh.” pg 115

Hyperbole

“Even Bernard felt himself a little melted.” pg 81

“The drums stopped beating, life seemed to have come to an end.” pg 114

Irony

“”Yes, and civilization is sterilization,” Bernard went on…” pg 110

 Symbolism

“She felt in her pocket for her soma --” pg 111

Paradox

“… the thunderous silence of the drums…” pg 113

Enumeration

“Twice, thrice, four times round he went… Five times round, six times round.” pg 115

Synecdoche

“The eagle and the man on the cross…” pg 116

Flashback

“It was very hot. They had eaten a lot of tortillas and sweet corn.” pg 123

Metaphor

“… alone, into this skeleton world of rocks and moonlight.” Pg 136

Characterization

1. Direct Characterization

“Tall and rather thin but upright, the Director advanced into the room. He had a long chin and big rather prominent teeth, just covered, when he was not talking, by his full, floridly curved lips.” Pg 4

“He was a powerfully built man, deep-chested, broad-shouldered, massive, and yet quick in his movements, springly and agile.” Pg 66

Indirect Characterization

“… asked once more for the friendship… Helmholtz gave it; and gave it without reproach…” pg 179

“”– they wouldn’t let me go with the others; they wouldn’t tell me any of the secrets. I did it by myself though,”” pg 137

Huxley utilizes both direct and indirect characterization in order to provide us readers with a better and complete understanding of the characters. Direct characterization serves the purpose of directly shaping the character with words and descriptions while through indirect characterization we are exposed to the inner person of the character and are able to observe their behaviors, thoughts, and responses.

3. John is a dynamic, round character for he undergoes much change. He is introduced as an outsider at the Savage Reservation fighting to be accepted by others and to prove himself worthy, however he ends the story purposefully disengaging himself from everyone for he is disgusted and does not agree with what he is seeing/ experiencing.  We also see a John that begins to embrace literature, specifically Shakespeare, and witness his knowledge and articulation flourish.

4. I definitely felt like I could understand John, his viewpoints, and his actions. He seemed like a real person, one I could connect with and one who also has many flaws. However the rest of the characters portrayed in this utopian future were so disturbing I would hope that they were never real people.