"'Oh, my God, my God!' He covered his eyes with his hand."
-Page 259
This blog is going to be more like a reflection on the book as a whole. The quote I chose is the point when John realizes that he can no longer live in this society. The people of the Other Place, knew nothing of God, but the Savage had known God, and he knew that God and religion were better than being happy.
Everyone strives to be happy. People might sometimes lose track of what makes them happy, but actually achieving what they desire is not what makes them happy. The pleasure comes from the work it takes to attain what they enjoy and from loved ones that get to experience this feeling with them. In Brave New World, people are told to be happy, but do not truly experience a full life. They only know what they are told, and what they feel when they have taken soma.
Overall, I enjoyed this story and have taken a valuable lesson from it. I think Huxley is trying to get the reader to realize that even though we endure hardships, it is better than being permanently happy. Having loved ones and God is better than being controlled to live in a "perfect" society. He warns us to not let technology and our search of a utopian society, impair our vision of the beauty in the imperfections of life.
Thank Ford I finished my blogs in time! =)
Friday, July 8, 2011
Suicide (Brave New World: 19)
"Just under the crown of the arch dangled a pair of feet."
-Page 259
John could not take this civilized world anymore. The Savage could not live in a world when everyone was forced to be happy, and the last thing he wanted was to be like them. He was mocked and followed and had no where to hide from the people. This world, this civilization, these people had driven him to take his own life. John's suicide is the resolution of the plot/novel. The denouement concluded the story, after all of the other conflicts have been settled. The fate of the last character remaining is discovered in the final page of the book. The author does not bother telling us what happened to Bernard and Helmholtz on the island they were sent to. The important part of the resolution is that the happy and perfect society led to the death of a savage who knew what life was like before. The Savage knew God, and Shakespeare, and love, and he was killed by the Other Place, which he found to be insanity.
-Page 259
John could not take this civilized world anymore. The Savage could not live in a world when everyone was forced to be happy, and the last thing he wanted was to be like them. He was mocked and followed and had no where to hide from the people. This world, this civilization, these people had driven him to take his own life. John's suicide is the resolution of the plot/novel. The denouement concluded the story, after all of the other conflicts have been settled. The fate of the last character remaining is discovered in the final page of the book. The author does not bother telling us what happened to Bernard and Helmholtz on the island they were sent to. The important part of the resolution is that the happy and perfect society led to the death of a savage who knew what life was like before. The Savage knew God, and Shakespeare, and love, and he was killed by the Other Place, which he found to be insanity.
Crazy Concept (Brave New World: 18)
"... they're plagued with no mothers of fathers, they've got no wives, or children, or lovers to feel strongly about..."
-Page 220
This quote is the words of Mustapha Mond, the Resident World Controller for Western Europe. He is explaining to John, Helmholtz, and Bernard why the laws they have exist, and why the world they have created is correct. He knows the writings of Shakespeare, and knows what life in the past was like, yet he thinks this stability of life is a better solution. He believes that if people don't ever have feelings or emotions, but are happy, than that is how it should be. I am obviously biased, but I completely disagree with his line of thinking. I think of the quote, "It is better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all." I feel that the happiness someone brings to the life of a loved one outweighs the sadness or grief that is felt when they are gone. Even though the people in this society pretend that they are always happy, they will never experience the feeling of being loved. Is it fair that Mr. Mond and the other Controllers decide how everyone will live? In this society, people may be happy, but they are hardly even given the gift of free will. They are practically robots.
-Page 220
This quote is the words of Mustapha Mond, the Resident World Controller for Western Europe. He is explaining to John, Helmholtz, and Bernard why the laws they have exist, and why the world they have created is correct. He knows the writings of Shakespeare, and knows what life in the past was like, yet he thinks this stability of life is a better solution. He believes that if people don't ever have feelings or emotions, but are happy, than that is how it should be. I am obviously biased, but I completely disagree with his line of thinking. I think of the quote, "It is better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all." I feel that the happiness someone brings to the life of a loved one outweighs the sadness or grief that is felt when they are gone. Even though the people in this society pretend that they are always happy, they will never experience the feeling of being loved. Is it fair that Mr. Mond and the other Controllers decide how everyone will live? In this society, people may be happy, but they are hardly even given the gift of free will. They are practically robots.
"It's Like Ten Thousand Spoons When All You Need is a Knife" (Brave New World: 17)
"... that beautiful, beautiful Other Place, whose memory, as of a heaven, a paradise of goodness and loveliness, he still kept whole and intact, undefiled by contact with the reality of this real London, these actual civilized men and women."
-Page 201
I find this quote to be extremely ironic. John is sitting over his mother on her death bed, and he is recalling all of the happy times they had together. One of these happens to be when she would tell him stories of the Other Place, where people were civilized, unlike on the Reservation. He thought so highly of this Other Place, and wanted nothing more than to get to experience it for himself. HOWEVER, he does get to experience the Other Place, and he finds it to be a nightmare. He finds these people to be living a fake life controlled by a drug. Still yet, he won't let his findings tarnish the image he had of the Old Place from the stories his mother had told him. In his mind a heavenly place like he imagined still does exist somewhere. And this London, this outside world, was not the Old Place she had spoken of before. It is somewhat sad, but very ironic.
P.S. The title are lyrics from the song Ironic by Alanis Morissette.
P.P.S. She is kind of crazy, and this video is weird, but enjoy!
-Page 201
I find this quote to be extremely ironic. John is sitting over his mother on her death bed, and he is recalling all of the happy times they had together. One of these happens to be when she would tell him stories of the Other Place, where people were civilized, unlike on the Reservation. He thought so highly of this Other Place, and wanted nothing more than to get to experience it for himself. HOWEVER, he does get to experience the Other Place, and he finds it to be a nightmare. He finds these people to be living a fake life controlled by a drug. Still yet, he won't let his findings tarnish the image he had of the Old Place from the stories his mother had told him. In his mind a heavenly place like he imagined still does exist somewhere. And this London, this outside world, was not the Old Place she had spoken of before. It is somewhat sad, but very ironic.
P.S. The title are lyrics from the song Ironic by Alanis Morissette.
P.P.S. She is kind of crazy, and this video is weird, but enjoy!
The Jim-Jams (Brave New World: 16)
"'A doctor a day keeps the jim-jams away,' he added heartily, driving home his hypnopaedic adage with a clap on the shoulder."
-Page 186
This quote is using an aphorism, also known as a maxim or epigram. This novel is chalk-full of aphorisms from the hypnopaedic messages that are permanently instilled into every persons mind. Another one that is repeated over and over throughout the story is, "every one belongs to every one else." These maxims are instinctly memorized by all the civilized people, and are taken to be true, yet a few individuals question them. I chose this particular epigram because it can only make sense in this futuristic world, and would not be said in our time period. Also, I can only imagine what Henry Foster's vision of "jim-jams" would be! It clearly relates to our saying, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." Henry is only concerned for Lenina and wants to cheer her up, but she is clearly not in the mood. I find this aphorism to be humorous, and I had to make a blog about aphorisms since they are said in almost every chapter.
-Page 186
This quote is using an aphorism, also known as a maxim or epigram. This novel is chalk-full of aphorisms from the hypnopaedic messages that are permanently instilled into every persons mind. Another one that is repeated over and over throughout the story is, "every one belongs to every one else." These maxims are instinctly memorized by all the civilized people, and are taken to be true, yet a few individuals question them. I chose this particular epigram because it can only make sense in this futuristic world, and would not be said in our time period. Also, I can only imagine what Henry Foster's vision of "jim-jams" would be! It clearly relates to our saying, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." Henry is only concerned for Lenina and wants to cheer her up, but she is clearly not in the mood. I find this aphorism to be humorous, and I had to make a blog about aphorisms since they are said in almost every chapter.
Say What?! (Brave New World: 15)
"'Ai yaa tákwa!' It was only in Zuni that the Savage could adequately express what he felt about the Arch-Community-Songster. 'Hani!' he added as an afterthought; and then (with what derisive ferocity!): 'Sons eso tse-na.' And he spat on the ground, as Popé might have done."
-Page 173
This quote is John yelling out of anger in his native language. The quote uses the vernacular language of John's old community. The author uses John's vernacular language here to show how completely angry John is at this moment. I'm sure these native words are some sort of cuss words that he had learned while living on the Reservation. Zuni is the language of the hateful words being screamed out by John. Bernard wants him John to come to his party and meet some important people, becuase they wanted to see the Savage. However, John was tired of being used as a way for Bernard to become popular and did not want to meet any more people interested in seeing him. Using John's vernacular language showed that the Savage was barbaric and had not come aquainted with this "civil" way-of-life yet.
-Page 173
This quote is John yelling out of anger in his native language. The quote uses the vernacular language of John's old community. The author uses John's vernacular language here to show how completely angry John is at this moment. I'm sure these native words are some sort of cuss words that he had learned while living on the Reservation. Zuni is the language of the hateful words being screamed out by John. Bernard wants him John to come to his party and meet some important people, becuase they wanted to see the Savage. However, John was tired of being used as a way for Bernard to become popular and did not want to meet any more people interested in seeing him. Using John's vernacular language showed that the Savage was barbaric and had not come aquainted with this "civil" way-of-life yet.
The Director's Embarrassment (Brave New World: 14)
"...or rather the ex-Director, for the poor man had resigned immediately afterwards and never set foot inside the Centre again..."
-Page 153
In this quote we find out the result of Bernard's plan that he had been devising since he had visited the Reservation. The Director openly fired and degraded Bernard in front of a whole floor of workers. Bernard got his revenge though by introducing Linda and John to him, who revealed all of the Director's secrets, in front of everyone. The other workers were astonished and laughed uncontrollably at the scene. The Director was so embarrassed that he immediately resigned. The Director, or as Linda would say, Tomakin, was a static character in this novel. He did not change throughout the course of the story. He was a heartless, prideful man, who thought very highly of himself and his work. He was in control the entire story, but once he lost his power and was humiliated, he vanished. This static character was put in the story to be the problem that Bernard had to resolve.
-Page 153
In this quote we find out the result of Bernard's plan that he had been devising since he had visited the Reservation. The Director openly fired and degraded Bernard in front of a whole floor of workers. Bernard got his revenge though by introducing Linda and John to him, who revealed all of the Director's secrets, in front of everyone. The other workers were astonished and laughed uncontrollably at the scene. The Director was so embarrassed that he immediately resigned. The Director, or as Linda would say, Tomakin, was a static character in this novel. He did not change throughout the course of the story. He was a heartless, prideful man, who thought very highly of himself and his work. He was in control the entire story, but once he lost his power and was humiliated, he vanished. This static character was put in the story to be the problem that Bernard had to resolve.
(Brave New World: 13)
"Buzz, buzz! the hive was humming, busliy, joyfully."
-Page 147
In this quote, the author uses an onomatopoeia. Huxley creates the sound of a beehive with the words "Buzz, buzz!" This onomatopoeia is used to create the image of the beehive, and comapring it to the Bloomsbury Centre. The chaos and constant noise and movement at the Centre is similar to the comotion of a beehive. Babies are being "born," infants are being nurtuted and learning lessons through electric shock, and toddler's are sleeping and unknowingly being taught through hypnopaedic lessons. Workers are rapidly moving about. Some are whistling, others are conversing, and some are cracking jokes. Eggs are being fertilized, and conntrolled science is at constant work. Huxley wants the reader to understand that the Centre is a hectic place, filled with constant motion and sound. The buzzing sound helps create this image, in which the reader can relate.
-Page 147
In this quote, the author uses an onomatopoeia. Huxley creates the sound of a beehive with the words "Buzz, buzz!" This onomatopoeia is used to create the image of the beehive, and comapring it to the Bloomsbury Centre. The chaos and constant noise and movement at the Centre is similar to the comotion of a beehive. Babies are being "born," infants are being nurtuted and learning lessons through electric shock, and toddler's are sleeping and unknowingly being taught through hypnopaedic lessons. Workers are rapidly moving about. Some are whistling, others are conversing, and some are cracking jokes. Eggs are being fertilized, and conntrolled science is at constant work. Huxley wants the reader to understand that the Centre is a hectic place, filled with constant motion and sound. The buzzing sound helps create this image, in which the reader can relate.
Bernard's Motivation (Brave New World: 12)
"'I wonder if you'd like to come back to London with us?' he asked, making the first move in a campaign whose strategy he had been secretly elaborating ever since, in the little house, he had realized who the 'father' of this young savage must be."
-Page 138
The author reveals to the reader Bernard's motivation for asking John to come back with him and Lenina to London. He tells us that Bernard has a plan to bring back John to meet his real father, the Director. Revealing Bernard's motivation allows the reader to predict or start wondering what is going to happen next. I am not sure how Bernard is going to present John to the Director. He could just try to introduce them, or he might try to black mail the Director into letting him keep his job in London. I'm assuming that the Director will deny, in all ways, the legitimacy of John being his son, but I could be wrong. John is very excited to be able to leave the Reservation and experience the things Linda has been telling him about. He keeps referring to it as the "Brave New World." Bernard understand his excitement, but warns John that it is not as great as it might seem.
-Page 138
The author reveals to the reader Bernard's motivation for asking John to come back with him and Lenina to London. He tells us that Bernard has a plan to bring back John to meet his real father, the Director. Revealing Bernard's motivation allows the reader to predict or start wondering what is going to happen next. I am not sure how Bernard is going to present John to the Director. He could just try to introduce them, or he might try to black mail the Director into letting him keep his job in London. I'm assuming that the Director will deny, in all ways, the legitimacy of John being his son, but I could be wrong. John is very excited to be able to leave the Reservation and experience the things Linda has been telling him about. He keeps referring to it as the "Brave New World." Bernard understand his excitement, but warns John that it is not as great as it might seem.
John's Hatred for Popé (Brave New World: 11)
"Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain."
-Page 132
This sentence is the thoughts of John towards Popé, a man who frequently sleeps with his mother. Again on page 133 John thinks to himself, "Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous... Like drums, like the men singing for the corn, like magic, the words repeated and repeated themselves in his head." These adjectives are applied to Popé and are used frequently to emphasize his characteristic quality. Therefore, Huxley has used an epithet to describe John's hatred towards Popé. The author lets the reader know that John hated Popé more than anything. Popé puts on a smile and acts as if he is kind, but John sees right past this. He sees him only as an evil villain. He cannot stand him and wants him dead. John hates this "remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain."
-Page 132
This sentence is the thoughts of John towards Popé, a man who frequently sleeps with his mother. Again on page 133 John thinks to himself, "Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous... Like drums, like the men singing for the corn, like magic, the words repeated and repeated themselves in his head." These adjectives are applied to Popé and are used frequently to emphasize his characteristic quality. Therefore, Huxley has used an epithet to describe John's hatred towards Popé. The author lets the reader know that John hated Popé more than anything. Popé puts on a smile and acts as if he is kind, but John sees right past this. He sees him only as an evil villain. He cannot stand him and wants him dead. John hates this "remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain."
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Bernard Makes the Connection (Brave New World: 10)
"Linda had come from the Other Place long ago, before he was born, with a man who was his father. (Bernard pricked up his ears.) She had gone walking alone in those mountains over there to the North, had fallen down a steep place and hurt her head. ('Go on, go on,' said Bernard excitedly.)"
-Page 118
The literary term suspense is used in this quote, and in this whole paragraph. The reader has a feeling of uncertainty and curiosity about what will happen next. The reader is having the same thoughts as Bernard at this point. We knew the anecdote that the Director had told earlier about how he had lost a girl he was having when he was visiting the Reservation. John, the Indian boy telling the story and son of the lady, said that some hunters had found her and brought her to the Reservation where she has lived since. The reader and Bernard are making the connection that Linda, this lady, is in fact the woman the Director had had relations with, and conceived a son. The suspense builds within the reader to know more about what really happened, and how the Director and this woman have had a child together. Also, there is suspense in wanting to know what Bernard is going to do with this new found information. He is the only one to know the Director's secret, so I am wondering if Bernard might black mail him.
-Page 118
The literary term suspense is used in this quote, and in this whole paragraph. The reader has a feeling of uncertainty and curiosity about what will happen next. The reader is having the same thoughts as Bernard at this point. We knew the anecdote that the Director had told earlier about how he had lost a girl he was having when he was visiting the Reservation. John, the Indian boy telling the story and son of the lady, said that some hunters had found her and brought her to the Reservation where she has lived since. The reader and Bernard are making the connection that Linda, this lady, is in fact the woman the Director had had relations with, and conceived a son. The suspense builds within the reader to know more about what really happened, and how the Director and this woman have had a child together. Also, there is suspense in wanting to know what Bernard is going to do with this new found information. He is the only one to know the Director's secret, so I am wondering if Bernard might black mail him.
Savages (Brave New World: 9)
"'But how can they live like this?' she broke out in a voice of indignant incredulity.
- Page 109
This quote is using the literary term rhetorical question. Lenina did not actually expect a response to her question. It was more of a remark of amazement towards the poor conditions that the savages lived in. The purpose of the question was to create an effect for Lenina's disgust and confusion of these barbaric creatures. Lenina and Bernard are staying the night in the Reservation, but Lenina is starting to have second thoughts. She is somewhat appalled by the Reservation already, and keeps saying how she does not like it, even though she wanted to go. Bernard knows more about the savages than Lenina does, and explains that these people have been living like this for thousands of years. I find it ironic that Lenina doesn't get why they would live like that and she lives in a very futuristic, sophisticated civilization, and yet we may ask the same questions about Indians living in a reservation now. It seems no matter what period in time, some people like to live in a simple, old way and others prefer to be more advanced and civilized.
- Page 109
This quote is using the literary term rhetorical question. Lenina did not actually expect a response to her question. It was more of a remark of amazement towards the poor conditions that the savages lived in. The purpose of the question was to create an effect for Lenina's disgust and confusion of these barbaric creatures. Lenina and Bernard are staying the night in the Reservation, but Lenina is starting to have second thoughts. She is somewhat appalled by the Reservation already, and keeps saying how she does not like it, even though she wanted to go. Bernard knows more about the savages than Lenina does, and explains that these people have been living like this for thousands of years. I find it ironic that Lenina doesn't get why they would live like that and she lives in a very futuristic, sophisticated civilization, and yet we may ask the same questions about Indians living in a reservation now. It seems no matter what period in time, some people like to live in a simple, old way and others prefer to be more advanced and civilized.
The Director's Anecdote (Brave New World: 8)
"'I had the same idea as you,' the Director was saying. 'Wanted to have a look at the savages.'"
-Page 96
This quote is just the beginning of an anecdote told by the Director to Bernard Marx. The Director was talking out loud, but was telling the story almost as if it were to himself. In fact, he harldy even realizes that Bernard is there. The brief story is about how he had gone to New Mexico before with a girl he was having and she had gotten lost during a storm. She was never found again, and the Director admitted that he was very upset and still dreams of her and that day. The Director later reassures Bernard that he did not have feelings for this girl and that their relationship was healthy and not longdrawn. I believe that the Director was lying when he said this. The author put the Director's anecdote into the plot, because it shows that the Director does have emotions and feelings even though he doesn't want others to know. The anecdote retracts the robot-like image that the Director has shown so far. He strongly believes in his work, so he can not let others see that he has emotions.
-Page 96
This quote is just the beginning of an anecdote told by the Director to Bernard Marx. The Director was talking out loud, but was telling the story almost as if it were to himself. In fact, he harldy even realizes that Bernard is there. The brief story is about how he had gone to New Mexico before with a girl he was having and she had gotten lost during a storm. She was never found again, and the Director admitted that he was very upset and still dreams of her and that day. The Director later reassures Bernard that he did not have feelings for this girl and that their relationship was healthy and not longdrawn. I believe that the Director was lying when he said this. The author put the Director's anecdote into the plot, because it shows that the Director does have emotions and feelings even though he doesn't want others to know. The anecdote retracts the robot-like image that the Director has shown so far. He strongly believes in his work, so he can not let others see that he has emotions.
What is This Stuff? (Brave New World: 7)
"And yet, bottled as she was, and in spite of that second gramme of soma, Lenina did not forget to take all the contraceptive precautions prescribed by the regulations."
- Page 77
Soma has been referred too many times throughout the novel. Huxley has yet to tell the reader what this substance is though. Everyone seems to like soma, except Bernard Marx. I can not tell if it is a liquid or food or a pill or some other type of medicine. By context it seems to be some type of drug, but if it is, people are not afraid to take it in front of others. It was being served with meals and offered out to people as if it were a common thing. Also on page seventy-seven, it reads, "that second dose of soma had raised a quite impenetrable wall between the actual universe and their minds." That is another reason why I think it is a drug, because it seems to be causing a high. The drug seems to make Lenina, and the others who take it, to be happier. The author tells us that soma is taken in so regularly that Lenina doesn't even have to think about it. Since it has been mentioned so frequently, but has yet to be explained, I think soma will come up again throughout the novel, and will probably have a greater significance.
- Page 77
Soma has been referred too many times throughout the novel. Huxley has yet to tell the reader what this substance is though. Everyone seems to like soma, except Bernard Marx. I can not tell if it is a liquid or food or a pill or some other type of medicine. By context it seems to be some type of drug, but if it is, people are not afraid to take it in front of others. It was being served with meals and offered out to people as if it were a common thing. Also on page seventy-seven, it reads, "that second dose of soma had raised a quite impenetrable wall between the actual universe and their minds." That is another reason why I think it is a drug, because it seems to be causing a high. The drug seems to make Lenina, and the others who take it, to be happier. The author tells us that soma is taken in so regularly that Lenina doesn't even have to think about it. Since it has been mentioned so frequently, but has yet to be explained, I think soma will come up again throughout the novel, and will probably have a greater significance.
Bernard Marx's Jealousy (Brave New World: 6)
"...men who moved through the caste system as a fish through water..."
- Page 65
This quote is a simile that uses the word "as" to make an explicit comparison between the movement of specific men through a caste system and the movement of fish through water. It is understood that fish move very easily through water, and by comparison, the reader realizes that it is easy for these men to move through the caste system. The quote is the thoughts of Bernard Marx towards men such as Henry Foster and Benito Hoover. Bernard is expressing his jealousy towards men of a large stature that easily have control of humans in a lower caste. He explains that he feels uncomfortable bossing around lower classes. He is upset that even though he is of a higher class, he has a physical defect, where he is as small as a Delta. Rumor is that alcohol was accidentally put into his blood-surrogate, which gave him the defect. He is treated as an outsider to other Alphas because of his size. Bernard envies the control larger men have on a person in a lower caste.
- Page 65
This quote is a simile that uses the word "as" to make an explicit comparison between the movement of specific men through a caste system and the movement of fish through water. It is understood that fish move very easily through water, and by comparison, the reader realizes that it is easy for these men to move through the caste system. The quote is the thoughts of Bernard Marx towards men such as Henry Foster and Benito Hoover. Bernard is expressing his jealousy towards men of a large stature that easily have control of humans in a lower caste. He explains that he feels uncomfortable bossing around lower classes. He is upset that even though he is of a higher class, he has a physical defect, where he is as small as a Delta. Rumor is that alcohol was accidentally put into his blood-surrogate, which gave him the defect. He is treated as an outsider to other Alphas because of his size. Bernard envies the control larger men have on a person in a lower caste.
Indirect Characterization (Brave New World: 5)
"'He's so ugly!' said Fanny.
'But I rather like his looks.'
'And then so small.' Fanny made a grimace; smallness was so horribly and typically low-caste.
'I think that's rather sweet' said Lenina."
-Page 46
This is just part of a conversation between Fanny Crowne and Lenina Crowne about choosing men. This particular quote is referring to Bernard Marx. Lenina had been only getting with Henry Foster, and sense "every one belongs to every one else" she was suggesting other guys to get with. She had been asked on a date by Bernard Marx and was going to say yes, but Fanny disagreed with her decision. In this quote the author uses indirect characterization. One can easily tell that Fanny is somewhat shallow and puts a lot of emphasis on looks and reputation. Lenina however, puts more thought into the guys she might get with. She thinks Bernard is a sweet guy and does not care what other people think of him. Just from this conversation the author reveals a lot of information about the characters. Huxley does not specifically say "this is how the characters are," so the characterization is indirect.
'But I rather like his looks.'
'And then so small.' Fanny made a grimace; smallness was so horribly and typically low-caste.
'I think that's rather sweet' said Lenina."
-Page 46
This is just part of a conversation between Fanny Crowne and Lenina Crowne about choosing men. This particular quote is referring to Bernard Marx. Lenina had been only getting with Henry Foster, and sense "every one belongs to every one else" she was suggesting other guys to get with. She had been asked on a date by Bernard Marx and was going to say yes, but Fanny disagreed with her decision. In this quote the author uses indirect characterization. One can easily tell that Fanny is somewhat shallow and puts a lot of emphasis on looks and reputation. Lenina however, puts more thought into the guys she might get with. She thinks Bernard is a sweet guy and does not care what other people think of him. Just from this conversation the author reveals a lot of information about the characters. Huxley does not specifically say "this is how the characters are," so the characterization is indirect.
Local Color (Brave New World: 4)
"For a very long period before the time of Our Ford, and even for some generations afterwards, erotic play between children had been regarded as abnormal (there was a roar of laughter); and not only abnormal, actually immoral (no!): and had therefore been rigorously suppressed."
- Page 32
It is clear at this point that the setting of this novel is way in the future, and something had happened that had totally changed the ways of society. This quote uses the literary term local color to show a specific custom to this futuristic setting. Apparently in this setting, children are advised at a young age to engage in sexual activity. The Director tells the students that this was not always the case, and that "erotic play" was considered immoral for children and adolescents. The students, who knew not much at all about the past, were extremely surprised with this fact. The author emphasizes that the setting for this novel is not the same as ours, and gives a specific example of a difference. The parentheses in the sentence are the responses of the students to this new information. I'm curious to find out why "erotic play" is viewed as normal or even beneficial.
- Page 32
It is clear at this point that the setting of this novel is way in the future, and something had happened that had totally changed the ways of society. This quote uses the literary term local color to show a specific custom to this futuristic setting. Apparently in this setting, children are advised at a young age to engage in sexual activity. The Director tells the students that this was not always the case, and that "erotic play" was considered immoral for children and adolescents. The students, who knew not much at all about the past, were extremely surprised with this fact. The author emphasizes that the setting for this novel is not the same as ours, and gives a specific example of a difference. The parentheses in the sentence are the responses of the students to this new information. I'm curious to find out why "erotic play" is viewed as normal or even beneficial.
Quite an Image (Brave New World: 3)
"The screaming of the babies suddenly changed its tone. There was something desperate, almost insane, about the sharp spasmodic yelps to which they now gave utterance. Their little bodies twitched and stiffened; their limbs moved jerkily as if to the tug of unseen wires."
-Page 21
This quote from page twenty-one in Brave New World is using lots of imagery. Huxley creates an image for the reader by using sensory language. Words like screaming, tone, insane, yelps, twitched, stiffened, and jerkily all create a concrete sensation. The author could have simply said that the babies then started to scream louder. However, he knows that using strong imagery will create a much better visual for the reader to relate to. The reader can easily tell that the babies are experiencing great pain from the shocks by the author's imagery. With further reading, I found out that the purpose of the shocks were to create a fear for books and nature for these specific humans. Overtime the babies' subconscience will tell it to avoid books and nature.
-Page 21
This quote from page twenty-one in Brave New World is using lots of imagery. Huxley creates an image for the reader by using sensory language. Words like screaming, tone, insane, yelps, twitched, stiffened, and jerkily all create a concrete sensation. The author could have simply said that the babies then started to scream louder. However, he knows that using strong imagery will create a much better visual for the reader to relate to. The reader can easily tell that the babies are experiencing great pain from the shocks by the author's imagery. With further reading, I found out that the purpose of the shocks were to create a fear for books and nature for these specific humans. Overtime the babies' subconscience will tell it to avoid books and nature.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
How Many?!? (Brave New World: 2)
"'Sixteen thousand and twelve in this Centre,' Mr. Foster replied without hesitation."
- Page 8
Mr. Foster is first introduced on this page. He works for whatever company is producing these human beings. He appears to be some sort of main scientist or manager. The quote I used is his response to the Directors question of, "Can you tell us the record for a single ovary, Mr. Foster?" Sixteen thousand and twelve twins were produced from one ovary. And their Centre doesn't even have the record. This makes me wonder how this is even possible, and why this is even a desireable result? What about over-population? I'm sure my questions will be answered with more reading, but as of the first ten pages, confusion is evident.
- Page 8
Mr. Foster is first introduced on this page. He works for whatever company is producing these human beings. He appears to be some sort of main scientist or manager. The quote I used is his response to the Directors question of, "Can you tell us the record for a single ovary, Mr. Foster?" Sixteen thousand and twelve twins were produced from one ovary. And their Centre doesn't even have the record. This makes me wonder how this is even possible, and why this is even a desireable result? What about over-population? I'm sure my questions will be answered with more reading, but as of the first ten pages, confusion is evident.
First Impression (Brave New World)
First off, my internet is FINALLY fixed, and I am able to make posts/blogs. I only wish it wasn't three days before the first twenty blogs are due. Oh well, better late than never.
"... and, leading his charges to the work tables, actually showed them how this liquor was drawn off from the test-tubes; how it was let out drop by drop onto the specially warmed slides of the microscopes; how the eggs which it contained were inspected for abnormalities, counted and transferred to a porous receptacle;"
-page 5
Upon reading this quote, with no prior knowledge of the plot, I assumed that these eggs were eggs of some type of alien or super-human. I also pictured a scene from Jurassic Park, where the scientists are working with DNA and eggs and creating dinosaurs. The D.H.C. who was taking the students on a tour seemed excessively proud of the work being done in this building. The students were very obedient and seemed almost like robots. On page 6, the author specifies that these creatures being bred are in fact "human beings." Now, I'm interested! What is this book all about?
"... and, leading his charges to the work tables, actually showed them how this liquor was drawn off from the test-tubes; how it was let out drop by drop onto the specially warmed slides of the microscopes; how the eggs which it contained were inspected for abnormalities, counted and transferred to a porous receptacle;"
-page 5
Upon reading this quote, with no prior knowledge of the plot, I assumed that these eggs were eggs of some type of alien or super-human. I also pictured a scene from Jurassic Park, where the scientists are working with DNA and eggs and creating dinosaurs. The D.H.C. who was taking the students on a tour seemed excessively proud of the work being done in this building. The students were very obedient and seemed almost like robots. On page 6, the author specifies that these creatures being bred are in fact "human beings." Now, I'm interested! What is this book all about?
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