Brave New World Chapters 9-18
Examine Huxley's use of descriptive language and imagery in the section describing the arrival of the children at the hospital. Which descriptions are especially effective or evocative?
"A sudden noise of shrill voices..." "Twin after twin, twin after twin they came---a nightmare" "...puggishly stared, all nostrils and pale goggling eyes." "the ward was maggoty with them" "they swarmed between the beds"
What is a Malthusian Drill?
An exercise to help unsterilized women and girls remember to take their birth control each day
According to Mond, why is beauty dangerous? What is the "price that must be paid" for social stability?
Beauty is dangerous because they don't want society attracted to old things even if they are in fact beautiful because they want them to like the new ones. The price that must be paid for social stability is to choose between happiness and what people used to call high art. In the BNW they have sacrificed high art.
Why aren't upper-caste children Bokanovskified?
Because they are called to take responsibilities and deal with unexpected emergencies
After being made John's guardian, how does Bernard respond to his newfound popularity and importance? Why does his response sadden his friend Helmholtz?
Bernard accepts his popularity gladly and is happy to no longer be an outsider but someone welcomed into society. He starts to become more like society (sleeping around and being liked by executives). Helmholtz is saddened because Bernard is now like the society they didn't approve of and no longer thinking like an individual.
Who does Bernard appeal to for permission to bring Linda and John back into civilization? Why is he granted permission?
Bernard appeals to Mustapha Mond and is granted permission because it is of "sufficient scientific interest"
Who is Darwin Bonaparte? What does he manage to capture on film? How does the public receive his latest film? Why is their response ironic?
Darwin Bonaparte is the Feely Corporation's most expert big game photographer. He manages to capture John flinging himself into a spikey bush and whipping himself. The film's effect on the public was "immediate and enormous" and they react by going to see and watch John. This is ironic because they are conditioned to dislike and feel uncomfortable by pain.
What advice does Fanny give Lenina about how to deal with John?
Fanny tells Lenina to stop thinking about John or take soma but Lenina says it's no use and she continues to think about John. Fanny then tells Lenina to just go and take John whether he wants it or not.
How does John attempt to "save" the Delta workers? How do they respond to him?
He attempts to "save" the Delta workers by telling them to not take soma because it makes them slaves and childish and throws out their soma. They respond by being upset and starting a riot because they want their soma ration.
How does Mustapha Mond describe soma?
He describes soma as "Christianity without tears"
What books does Mond refer to as "pornographic"?
He refers to the Holy Bible, Imitation of Christ, and varieties of religious experience as "pornographic" books.
Why does Mustapha Mond decide that "A New Theory of Biology" can't be published?
He thinks that it is "dangerous and potentially subversive" to society
Explain the reason for the immediate connection between Helmholtz and the Savage. How does Bernard respond to their friendship? What does Bernard's response reveal about the type of friend he is?
Helmholtz and the Savage both think deeply and enjoy deep thoughts. Bernard becomes jealous and frustrated about their connection. It shows Bernard is possessive and wants things the way he wants. Not a good friend
Why has Helmholtz been in trouble with the authorities? What is the theme of the poem that he wrote? What is unusual about the structure of the poem in the context of the other rhymes composed for conditioning? What was Helmholtz's purpose for writing it? Who reported him?
Helmholtz is in trouble because he read a poem about loneliness to his class in order to engineer them to feel. This poem is unusual compared to conditioning rhymes because it is much longer and more in depth. Helmholtz's students told the principal and the principal turned him into the authorities.
Why do you think Mond chooses the religious passages that he reads aloud to John? What point is he trying to make?
I think Mond chose these religious passages because he wants to explain to John how the modern world works. Mond is trying to explain and make a point to John that they can be independent of God and the religious sentiment is superfluous.
Why do you think Mond ends his conversation with John with the words "You're welcome" (240)?
I think Mond says this because he has helped John figure out what he wants from his life
Why are V.P.S. treatments compulsory?
It lets people have the complete physiological equivalent of fear and rage, and all the tonic effects of murdering or being murdered without any of the inconveniences
In retrospect, what was ironic about the Director's choice of the Fertilizing Room for his meeting with Bernard Shaw?
It's ironic that the DHC had the meeting in the fertilization room because that is where they make babies and that is now where he has found out about the baby he created.
How do John's memories of his childhood change after the twins arrive? Why does he become angry with his mother? What happens to her as a result?
John can no longer focus or remember the "A, B, C, vitamin D," rhyme Linda told him as a child. He becomes angry with Lenina because she misrecognizes John and calls him "Pope". As a result Lenina gets overwhelmed and suddenly can't breathe and dies as a result.
Where does John choose to live after leaving civilization? What is symbolic about his choice?
John chooses to live in an abandoned lighthouse. This is symbolic because lighthouses tend to give ships guidance on their voyages and John needs some guidance on what to do with his life.
Why does John protest his mother's doctor's decision to allow her take all the soma she wants? Why does he give in and agree to let his mother stay on a permanent soma-vacation?
John doesn't want Linda's life to continue to be shortened but gives in because he doesn't want to deal with Linda being upset because she can't have her soma.
Why does John feel guilty? How does he seek to purify himself? Initially, what is life like for him?
John feels guilty because he thinks he's at fault for Linda's death and all he can think about is Lenina. He purifies himself by drinking mustard, spending time on his knees praying and time from time hold his arms out as though he were on the Cross until he was in excruciating agony.
How does John respond to Lenina's presence? What do his actions incite the crowd to begin doing? Why do you think John participates?
John first becomes pale and then took his whip and started whipping/beating Lenina. The crowd responds to this with excitement since they find pain to be a fascinating horror and they all end up having sex together (a group orgy). I think John participates because his desire for Lenina overcame him.
What does Huxley mean when he writes that John is "Bound by strong vows that had never been pronounced, obedient to laws that had long ceased to run" (170)? How does this explain his reaction to Lenina?
John is bound to his reservation ways and wanting to have a relationship where he honors the woman and does not give in to desire. This is why he doesn't stay to sleep with her.
Why is there enormous public interest in seeing John, but not in seeing his mother, Linda?
John is interesting to the public because he was seen as likeable and funny when calling his the DHC his father and also is of interest because he wasn't born into their society and conditioned. Linda is ignored because she was born in the BNW and was conditioned and is now ugly.
What is John tempted to do when he finds Lenina sound asleep? Why does he stop?
John is tempted to undress her and sleep with her but decides not to because that is impure.
Why is John unable to return Lenina's sexual advances? How has his experience of sexuality been influenced by what he has read and seen? What things have shaped Lenina's view of sexuality?
John is unable to return Lenina's sexual advances because he wants to treat her in the highest regard and to honor her. John's view of sexuality has been influenced by the society he grew up in where you marry and have one lover. Lenina's view of sexuality has been influenced by the society she grew up in where you sleep around and act promiscuous.
How does John respond to Mond's observation that he doesn't "much like civilization" (218)? What does John realize about Mustapha Mond?
John responds by saying, "no" (agreeing with Mond) John realizes that Mustapha Mond knows/has read Shakespeare
How does John respond to seeing the Bokanovsky Groups in the Electrical Equipment Corporation? Why do you think he is affected this way?
John says "O brave new world that had such people in it" because he is seeing a room of beautiful women working in the Bokanovsky Groups.
How does John respond when Bernard suggests that he should be impressed by the speed of the Bombay Green Rocket?
John says, "Still, Ariel could put a girdle round the earth in forty minutes" meaning he isn't thoroughly impressed
What play does John turn to in an attempt to make sense of his experience with Lenina at the Feelies? How does Lenina comfort herself after being rejected by John?
John turns to Othello, a story about the black man being the hero. Lenina comforts herself by taking soma.
What does John say that he wants instead of comfort? What right does Mond suggest that he is claiming?
John wants God, poetry, real danger, freedom, goodness, and sin instead of comfort. Mond suggests he's claiming the right to be unhappy.
What is John thinking about when the crowds arrive? Why have they come to see him? How does John respond to them?
John was thinking about why Linda had died and why she had been allowed to become gradually less than human. The crowds came to see John to be entertained and see him whip himself. John responds by yelling for them to go away and shaking his whip at them.
Analyze John's confession of love to Lenina. What does it reveal about the way he views her? Is there anything ironic about the language he uses to describe his feelings? How does she respond to him?
John's love confession reveals that he views Lenina in the highest regard and finds himself as unworthy. His language to describe Lenina is ironic because Lenina doesn't understand the fuss he is trying to make over her. Still, Lenina wants to just go straight to bed with him.
Why is Lenina excited about going to the Feelies with the Savage? What are the Feelies? What is the movie that they see about? How does John react to the experience? Why do you think he has this reaction?
Lenina is excited because she hopes to have sex with him at the end of the night The feelies are the movies The movies is about a black man and a woman who are together but the man falls from his helicopter and hits his head making him forget his conditioning. He ends up being obsessed with the woman and kidnaps him in his helicopter and she has to be saved by three other men. John does not enjoy the movie and proceeds to ignore Linda and just takes her home because the villain is like him and his people at the reservation.
Describe Lenina's response to the news that the Savage won't attend the party. How has meeting John changed her?
Lenina is upset and left feeling empty. When she has to leave with the Arch Community Songster she goes sluggishly.
What does Linda accuse Tomakin of doing to her? What details suggest that there may be truth to her accusation?
Linda accuses the DHC/Tomakin of leaving her in the reservation and making her pregnant. John is the evidence/detail that her accusation is truth.
How does Linda adjust to reentering civilization?
Linda adjusts into to society with not much interest from people but she doesn't mind because all she wants is soma.
What does Mond plan to do with Helmholtz and Marx? How does each man respond to his punishment? What do their responses reveal about their characters? Why does Mond say that their punishment is actually a reward?
Mond plans on exiling Helmholtz and Marx to an island (similar/same as Iceland). Bernard freaks out, saying that it wasn't his fault and it was all John and Helmholtz. Helmholtz responds by being silent and later asking Mond that if he sees their punishment as an award why doesn't he go to an island. Bernard's response shows his character of longing to fit in and only thinking about himself. Helmholtz's response shows his character of deep thinking and acceptance. Mond says their punishment is actually a reward because they have the opportunity to meet the most interesting people who are self-conscious, think for themselves, and fight being orthodox so much so they don't fit into society.
Why does Mustapha Mond deny John's request to go to the islands with Helmholtz?
Mond says no because he wants to go on with the experiment.
According to Mond, what is dangerous about science? What limits are imposed on scientific inquiry?
Mond says science, if not controlled, is very dangerous and only illuminates facts not beneficial to an individual's happiness. Limits are posed on science b/c it can be a destabilizing force in society.
Does Mustapha Mond believe in God? Explain his beliefs. According to Mond, how were they able to take questions about God out of people's consciousness?
Mond thinks "there quite probably is one ... but he manifests himself in different ways to different men. In premodern times he manifested himself as the being that's described in old books and now he manifests himself as an absence as he weren't there at all" They took questions of God out of people's consciousness by not letting them be alone and making them hate solitude.
Describe the steps that have been taken to create a warm and positive atmosphere at Park Lane Hospital for the Dying.
Park Lane Hospital for the Dying has made a "warm" and "positive" atmosphere by being bright with sunshine, yellow walls, gay synthetic melodies playing, a television at the end of each bed on 24/7, and a change of perfume in the air every fifteen minutes.
What is Mustapha Mond's position in the World State?
Resident World Controller for Western Europe
Explain how the works of William Shakespeare influence the way that John frames his experience of seeing the sleeping Lenina? What is ironic about the way he perceives her?
Shakespeare's works describe a beautiful, innocent love specifically Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. John sees Lenina as Juliet, perfect and innocent. This ironic because Lenina is not innocent and very much promiscuous.
Why did they want people to be infantile in the BNW?
So the people would give into their desires and not think for themselves meaning they'll do what society tells them.
What attracts reporters to the lighthouse? How does John respond to their intrusion?
Some workers had seen John whipping himself and spread the information. John was extremely angry with their intrusion and ended up kicking one of the reporters and yelling in his native language.
Explain what the Cyprus experiment was. How did this experiment impact social engineering in the World State?
The Cyprus experiment is when they put 22,000 Alphas on Cyprus and left them with only materials in order for them to manage their own affairs. In the end, there were strikes, people disobeyed laws, the land wasn't taken care of, and they were basically having a first-class civil war. The Alpha's left living, in the end, petitioned for the World Controllers to govern Cyprus again. This proved the theory that Alpha cannot do the jobs that the lower castes are meant to do and the way that they control society is best for society.
Why has the Director called Bernard Marx in for a public meeting? Why does he want to accuse Bernard in front of upper-caste workers? What charges does he make against Bernard? How does Bernard answer the Director's accusations?
The DHC is going to exile Bernard and does it in front of other workers as a threat and encouragement not to listen to Bernard. He charges Bernard as an enemy of society, a conspirator against civilization itself. Bernard responds by having Linda enter the room.
What are the connotations of the term "pasteurized external secretion" (147)? Based on context clues, what is pasteurized external secretion?
The connotations are milk from livestock like cows. Pasteurized External Secretion is actually breast milk in the brave new world.
What does the way that the people that Bernard invited to his party treat him reveal about their attitude towards Bernard?
The guests get upset and leave when told that John will not be coming out. This makes it evident that Bernards guests don't really like him or accept him but are using him.
Once John and Mustapha Mond are alone, what do they talk about?
The high price that Mond had to pay for his happiness and what else he had to give up such as religion
Why does John's grief upset the nurse? What is she worried might happen as a result of his public display of emotion? How does she attempt to remedy the situation?
The nurse becomes upset because she doesn't want John's grief to mess up the conditioning of the children to feel comfortable at the hospital of the dying. She tries to fix the situation by getting the children's attention with chocolate eclairs.
Based on his half of the telephone conversation, what event causes John to leave his house abruptly?
The phone rings and John answers, and he learns that (his mother) is sick. As a result of this, John rushes out of the room and rushes to the hospital Linda is in.
What is the tone of Chapter 15? How do we see this in the chapter?
The tone of the chapter is irony. We see this through: - The name "hospital of the dying" because hospitals are where you go to get better, not going in order to die - John trying to get the Deltas to understand him and make a change when they are at the bottom of the caste and don't have the ability to think for themselves like John meaning no opportunity to listen to him - And John who we see as the hero being arrested
According to the director, what is the worst offense a person can commit? Explain the reason that he believes this.
The worst offense is unorthodox behavior because it can lead many others astray.
Why does John feel as if the words from The Tempest are mocking him (210)?
They are "mocking him through his misery and remorse and mocking him with how hideous a note of cynical derision". Meaning he was very naïve thinking that this world would be beautiful and perfect when really it is heartless and emotionless.
How do the policemen manage to subdue the angry mob? Why do you think they don't use fear or violence as a method of control?
They subdue the angry crowd by spraying soma in the air and getting the mob high again They don't use violence as a method of control because that is what they avoid in the Brave New World since they created this new world for the purpose of no war or violence
What does this chapter reveal about Bernard's character? How is he different from Helmholtz and John?
This chapter reveals that Bernard only thinks about his interests and still desperately wants to be in society even if that ruins his friendships He is different from Helmholtz and John because he wants to fit in to society and be accepted whereas Helmholtz and John don't care about fitting in and want to make a difference instead.
Explain how death conditioning works.
This is when children starting at 18 months old go to the hospital of the dying where they have toys and sweets in order to not be afraid of dying.
What is ironic about Henry Foster's suggestion that Lenina might need a Violent Passion Surrogate treatment?
This statement is ironic because Lenina is filled with passion and rage; however, her passions aren't directed at Henry, but John rather.
What does John realize when he wakes up? What does he do as a result of this realization?
When John woke up he realized he took part in the orgy and in result committed suicide by hanging himself
