Brave New World #3

Phelps Entry #3 A Brave New World

       Bethany, I agree with you that the Savages are seen as so dark and depraved because we are seeing it through Lenina's and Bernard's eyes. I think, at least to me, the savages seemed less grotesque than Bernard's and Lenina's society. For example, I think the religious savage ritual was less shocking than Bernard's solidarity/orgy ritual because the savage ritual was almost like a religious celebration and I could understand the motives behind it. John said the ritual was, "for the sake of the pueblo-- to make the rain come and the corn grow. And to please Pookong and Jesus"(117). The whipping was almost like a punishment sacrifice and Lenina could not understand that nor understand the religious aspect and that's why she was so frightened. What do you think of the Savages' culture? To me it seems like they're a whole bunch of cultures all jumbled up because they talk about Jesus but then they also worship Pookong who is a Native America god.

      They brought John into the society to study him and his mother, the "savages". Mustapha Mond, The Ford, says he finds them of, "sufficient scientific interest"(141). Also in regard to the story, John brings some insight of the society and his response to it. John says, "O brave new world that has such people in it"(139) as a response to being invited to go to London with Bernard. What significance do you think this phrase play in John's attitude towards the society? I know John is not very surprised by the technology of the society as Bernard writes,"The Savage... shows surprisingly little astonishment at, or awe of, civilized inventions. This is partly due, no doubt, to the fact that he has heard them talked about by the woman Linda"(158). Although he is not surprised by the technology, he is struck by their lack of morals. In his society there is a set of right and wrong like marriage, murder, lying, etc. But in Lenina and Bernard's society the morals are totally different and they do not fight against there physical desires. In this section we see John fight against his attraction towards Lenina, which is unheard of in their society and it upsets Lenina. While at a "feeling film" John, "looked down at [Lenina] for a moment, pale, pained, desiring, and ashamed of his desire. He was not worthy"(169). (By the way, what did you think of the "feeling film"? I found it interesting.) Again, here we see John struggle against his physical desires which is something that sets him apart from Lenina and the society.

      As for Bernard, I am quite disappointed in his lack of character. I thought he was good because he fought the system of the society and he did not agree with it. I think now we see that the only reason why he did not like it was because he did not fit in. Now this new found discovery and success is going to his head. He also boasts to Helmholtz about his savages and, "success went fizzily to Bernard's head, and in the process completely reconciled him to a world which, up till then, he had found very unsatisfactory"(157). Also, as you pointed out, he is now getting all the girls. I think in due time he will regret his behavior after all this commotion about the savages calms down and he is no longer popular. What do you think about his character change?