Ch 12-15 BNW

2. Why does John decide to interfere with the soma distribution? Why does he say it is poison?

Because he feels it is poisoning their minds. He says its poison because it's not helping them be independent.

9. What does Helmholtz think is necessary for good writing?

Emotion

3. How does John feel? Why is he reading Romeo and Juliet?

He feels he has requited love for Lenina, but she isn't capable of love in return. Because he feels for Lenina what Romeo feels for Juliet.

1. Why does John decide not to come to Bernard's party? What does this mean for Bernard?

He feels like Bernard is just using him for popularity. It means Bernard is humiliated.

How does John feel for Lenina? What does he want to do to prove it?

He likes her, but doesn't want to show it because he's scared of what she might think. He wants to prove he's manly by marrying her and getting a lion skin.

6. How does Bernard's position change? How do John and Helmholtz respond to Bernard now?

He loses his new found popularity. They take him back, no hard feelings.

5. What role does Mustapha Mond play as a censor? Why does he do it? What does he censor? What does he really want?

He makes the rules for society and decides what works to publish. He wants a happy and functioning society. He censors literature and information that may present "dangerous" ideas or concepts or works that challenge or criticize already existing rules/customs.

1. The title phrase recurs here. How is it used differently than before? What does it mean now?

He now uses it with a negative connotation. It is a curse now.

How does John react to Lenina's actions? Why does he respond this way? What did he want from her?

He slaps her, calls her a wh*re, and runs away. He doesn't want to have sex with her, he wants to be in a serious relationship with her.

8. What does Helmholtz think of Shakespeare? Romeo and Juliet?

He thinks it's funny but smart.

4. What does he think of the Deltas to whom he delivers his speech?

He thinks they're disgusting maggots.

7. Why is Helmholtz in trouble with the authorities? What has he done that is dangerous, and why is it dangerous? Why did he do it? What does he want?

He wrote a rhyme about solidarity. Solidarity is considered a danger to society. He wants to see everyone's reaction.

5. What roles to Bernard and Helmholtz play here? What does this tell us about their characters?

Helmholtz tries to help John, while Bernard stays behind so as to not obstruct his social image. It shows how different they are.

1. What is the hospital for the dying like? What are the dying like?

It is cheery and happy. The dying are happy and totally drugged.

4. What does it mean that Lenina likes looking at the moon now?

It means she has a different mindset now and John has had a large effect on her.

1. What are the consequences of Lenina's emotion? What is happening?

Lenina acts crazy upon her emotions. Lenina wants to sleep with John but he runs away and goes on a rampage.

3. What memories flood over John as he stands before his mother? Why these particular memories? What are his memories of the "other place"? What role does memory play in society?

Motherly memories of Linda. The lessons she's taught him. The other place is heavenly and serene. Memory is used for hypnopedia purposes.

5. Why isn't death terrible for those in the civilized world? What does this mean for the individual?

People have been conditioned to like it. This means that death is not feared anymore.

2. How does Lenina feel at the party? Why does she feel this way?

She feels "anxious exultations" because she thinks she may have real feelings for John.

2. Why is Linda dying?

She has been taking way too much soma.

2. How does she feel for John? What does she do to get what she wants?

She loves him and wants to sleep with him. She gets undressed and surprises him.

3. What is John's conception of slavery and freedom? Manhood? Liberty?

Slavery is the life they live, freedom is to be broken free from the life they lie, manhood is gained by hardship and trials, liberty is nonexistent with slaves.

4. Why are the Delta children at the hospital? What does John think of this?

They are being conditioned to like death. John thinks it's crazy and terrible.

6. How does the soma riot end? What does it mean to be happy and good?

With everyone soma-ed up and happy. To be stable and calm.