BNW- blog 12

Chapter 11

Summary:

 The Director resigns and therefore Bernard is able to keep his job. Bernard is then appointed to guardian of the Savage (John). This increases Bernard's popularity because everybody from all parts of London, wants to see this 'delicious creature'. Bernard is now getting girls, people stop judging him, and there are no more rumors circulating about alcohol in his blood surrogate. He talks to Helmholtz about his new attention but Helmholtz is less than impressed. Helmhotlz has never cared for Bernard's 'poor me attitude', but he appreciates his boasting even less. Bernard, aggravated by Helmholtz lack of enthusiasm, proclaims they are no longer friends and vows to never  talk to him again.

Bernard sends in a report to Mond about how John is adapting to the New World. Mustapha Mond is irritated with the way Bernard comes off in his letter, arrogant and condescending. He couldn't believe that  someone like Bernard would call his civilization to easy. He decides to plan a punishment that will teach Bernard a lesson.

In the meantime, John is taken around the city to see what it is like. First, he goes to the Hospital for the Dying. There, Linda is being held with constant soma intake. John doesn't see how this is helping her but Dr. Shaw convinces him that while it is shortening her life as a whole; to Linda it seems like a lifetime. 

Then, John is taken to Eton, there they catch the last few minutes of a movie where savages much like John, are whipping themselves. Everyone is laughing at the savages but John is disgusted and losing hope. Bernard hits on the Headmistress of the academy and they arrange a date.

John is also taken to be shown the assembly lines. He is horrified by the site of all the deformed lower caste and runs of to violently vomit. There he repeats the line from The Tempest, 'O brave new world, that has such people in it.' Although this time is in a much different context then the last time he said it when he was ecstatic to becoming to the New World. 

Lenina is preparing for her 'date' with John. Bernard is busy so she is going to take him to the feelies. She tells Fanny that she can't figure out if John like her or not. He goes out of his way to avoid her but she often finds him starring at her. All she knows is that she is very attracted to him and thinks tonight is going to be the night that they hook up. They get to the feely (a movie in a special theater that interacts with all five senses), and see a feature about a black man kidnapping a Beta woman and taking a three week long adventure in a helicopter, hence the title, Three Weeks in a Helicopter. It is an obscene movie with an opening sex scene on a bear skin rug and a very simple plot. Lenina and the rest of the audience found it quite lovely while John thought it was horrible. They got in the taxicopter and they dropped Lenina off. She got out of the helicopter and powdered her nose. John told her good night and got back in the helicopter. As the vehicle was in the air John could see Lenina calling up to him. She sulked off crying to her apartment and took some soma. John on the other hand goes home and reads Othello, who like the main character in the movie, is a black man.

Vocab:

Cadged -verb~ To borrow without intent to repay

Tete-a-tete -noun~ a conservation specifically held between just two people

Vitrified -verb~ to convert, or be converted into glass

Prognathous - adj~ having enlarged jaws, protrusive jaw structure

Lit. Terms:

Allusions:

Dr. Shaw~ George Bernard Shaw
(Whom Bernard Marx alludes to, as well as Karl Marx)

Mozart, Lucrezia Aguiari~ famous musicians

The Merchant of Venice~ "What's in those, those caskets?"

Repeat of the 'O Brave New World' quote from the Tempest. (Also Irony)

Tempest~ Ariel could put a girdle 'round the earth in forty minutes...

Antony & Cleopatra~ Eternity was in our lips and eyes

Chapter Importance:

Bernard starts to change in this chapter. He has gained confidence and popularity and it goes straight to his ego. He goes to talk to Helmholtz about his success and when Helmholtz doesn't care, Bernard cuts him out of his life. 

John isn't as happy with the New World as he thought he would. He learns that children watch videos of savages and laugh and make fun of them whipping themselves. All of the things he sees brings down all excitement he once had for the New World.