Brave New World:Brave New World: Sorrow’s My Body Sorrow’s My Body

On the WavesOn the Waves

FeracoFeraco

Myth to Science Fiction + SDAIEMyth to Science Fiction + SDAIE

2 April 20152 April 2015

In Chapter Twelve, our main In Chapter Twelve, our main characters face a variety of conflicts and characters face a variety of conflicts and choices.choices.

After the painful experiences of After the painful experiences of Chapter Eleven, John’s pulled back from Chapter Eleven, John’s pulled back from civilization, much to Bernard’s dismay; he civilization, much to Bernard’s dismay; he cannot coax the former out of his room.cannot coax the former out of his room.

Since Bernard’s newfound acceptance Since Bernard’s newfound acceptance is entirely predicated on his relationship is entirely predicated on his relationship with the famous Savage, the disapproval with the famous Savage, the disapproval directed his way when he fails to produce directed his way when he fails to produce him as promised is swift, harsh, and total.him as promised is swift, harsh, and total.

And in an emphasis of how easily And in an emphasis of how easily Bernard has reversed his ways, when he’s Bernard has reversed his ways, when he’s rejected and abandoned, he drowns his rejected and abandoned, he drowns his misery in four grammes of misery in four grammes of soma.soma.

Only Lenina fails to condemn Bernard, Only Lenina fails to condemn Bernard, and she’s more concerned about her and she’s more concerned about her attraction to John, who represents a attraction to John, who represents a confounding problem for her.confounding problem for her.

On the one hand, he seems to desire On the one hand, he seems to desire her; on the other hand, he’s resisting her her; on the other hand, he’s resisting her – and she’s never been “resisted” before.– and she’s never been “resisted” before.

She has no experiences that help her She has no experiences that help her cope with the situation at hand, and cope with the situation at hand, and although although somasoma provides a pleasing provides a pleasing diversion, she has to come back to real diversion, she has to come back to real life in the end – at which point her pain life in the end – at which point her pain returns full force, as does Bernard’s when returns full force, as does Bernard’s when he returns from “holiday.”he returns from “holiday.”

““Why was he so strange the other night, Why was he so strange the other night, after the feelies? So queer. And yet I’m after the feelies? So queer. And yet I’m absolutely sure he really does rather like me. absolutely sure he really does rather like me. I’m sure…”I’m sure…”

It was at this moment that Bernard had It was at this moment that Bernard had made his announcement; the Savage wasn’t made his announcement; the Savage wasn’t coming to the party.coming to the party.

Lenina suddenly felt all the sensations Lenina suddenly felt all the sensations normally experienced at the beginning of a normally experienced at the beginning of a Violent Passion Surrogate treatment – a sense Violent Passion Surrogate treatment – a sense of dreadful emptiness, a breathless of dreadful emptiness, a breathless apprehension, a nausea. Her heart seemed to apprehension, a nausea. Her heart seemed to stop beating.stop beating.

““Perhaps it’s because he doesn’t like me,” Perhaps it’s because he doesn’t like me,” she said to herself. And at once this possibility she said to herself. And at once this possibility became an established certainty: John had became an established certainty: John had refused to come because he didn’t like her. He refused to come because he didn’t like her. He didn’t like her…didn’t like her…

There’s a small moment immediately after the There’s a small moment immediately after the dustup over John that works sublimely well.dustup over John that works sublimely well.

John is shown in his room, quietly reading John is shown in his room, quietly reading Romeo and Juliet.Romeo and Juliet.

At the same time, Lenina is following the Arch-At the same time, Lenina is following the Arch-Songster out the door, about to spend time with Songster out the door, about to spend time with someone who isn’t the one she’s longing for.someone who isn’t the one she’s longing for.

Readers familiar with Shakespeare will notice Readers familiar with Shakespeare will notice the parallel; once Romeo leaves Juliet for his exile in the parallel; once Romeo leaves Juliet for his exile in Mantua, she’s nearly forced into an unwanted Mantua, she’s nearly forced into an unwanted marriage with Paris.marriage with Paris.

Lenina even lingers to look at the moon, which Lenina even lingers to look at the moon, which echoes the motif from echoes the motif from R + J R + J (the young lovers were (the young lovers were always looking to the heavens and comparing each always looking to the heavens and comparing each other to the celestial bodies).other to the celestial bodies).

Meanwhile, John recites Romeo’s enraptured Meanwhile, John recites Romeo’s enraptured initial description of Juliet – a jewel hanging in initial description of Juliet – a jewel hanging in someone’s ear – as the light glints off the “T” on someone’s ear – as the light glints off the “T” on Lenina’s zipper.Lenina’s zipper.

The names are different; the feelings are the The names are different; the feelings are the same, even if they’re feelings Lenina has absolutely same, even if they’re feelings Lenina has absolutely no experience with before now.no experience with before now.

In a quick pan to Mond’s side of things, we see the In a quick pan to Mond’s side of things, we see the controller looking over controller looking over A New Theory of Biology;A New Theory of Biology; this gives Huxley this gives Huxley yet another opportunity to comment on the costs of “progress.”’yet another opportunity to comment on the costs of “progress.”’

He sat for some time, meditatively frowning, then picked He sat for some time, meditatively frowning, then picked up his pen and wrote across the title-page: “The author’s up his pen and wrote across the title-page: “The author’s mathematical treatment of the conception of purpose is novel and mathematical treatment of the conception of purpose is novel and highly ingenious, but heretical and, so far as the present social highly ingenious, but heretical and, so far as the present social order is concerned, dangerous and potentially subversive. Not to order is concerned, dangerous and potentially subversive. Not to be published.” He underlined the words. “The author will be kept be published.” He underlined the words. “The author will be kept under supervision. His transference to the Marine Biological under supervision. His transference to the Marine Biological Station of St. Helena may become necessary.” A pity, he thought, Station of St. Helena may become necessary.” A pity, he thought, as he signed his name. It was a masterly piece of work. But once as he signed his name. It was a masterly piece of work. But once you began admitting explanations in terms of purpose – well, you you began admitting explanations in terms of purpose – well, you didn't know what the result might be. It was the sort of idea that didn't know what the result might be. It was the sort of idea that might easily decondition the more unsettled minds among the might easily decondition the more unsettled minds among the higher castes – make them lose their faith in happiness as the higher castes – make them lose their faith in happiness as the Sovereign Good and take to believing, instead, that the goal was Sovereign Good and take to believing, instead, that the goal was somewhere beyond, somewhere outside the present human somewhere beyond, somewhere outside the present human sphere, that the purpose of life was not the maintenance of well-sphere, that the purpose of life was not the maintenance of well-being, but some intensification and refining of consciousness, being, but some intensification and refining of consciousness, some enlargement of knowledge. some enlargement of knowledge. Which was, the Controller Which was, the Controller reflected, quite possibly true. But not, in the present reflected, quite possibly true. But not, in the present circumstance, admissible.circumstance, admissible. He picked up his pen again, and under He picked up his pen again, and under the words “Not to be published” drew a second line, thicker and the words “Not to be published” drew a second line, thicker and blacker than the first; then sighed, “What fun it would be,” he blacker than the first; then sighed, “What fun it would be,” he thought, “if one didn't have to think about happiness!”thought, “if one didn't have to think about happiness!”

As it so happens, both John and Helmholtz As it so happens, both John and Helmholtz like Bernard more when he’s been cut back like Bernard more when he’s been cut back down to size.down to size.

““You’re more like what you were at You’re more like what you were at Malpais,” John said, when Bernard had told him Malpais,” John said, when Bernard had told him his plaintive story. “Do you remember when we his plaintive story. “Do you remember when we first talked together? Outside the little house. first talked together? Outside the little house. You’re like what you were then.”You’re like what you were then.”

““Because I’m unhappy again; that’s why.”Because I’m unhappy again; that’s why.” ““Well, I’d rather be unhappy than have the Well, I’d rather be unhappy than have the

sort of false, lying happiness you were having sort of false, lying happiness you were having here.”here.”

It’s implied that Bernard intends to It’s implied that Bernard intends to avenge his “wrongs” at his friends’ hands, but avenge his “wrongs” at his friends’ hands, but Huxley doesn’t really do anything with that Huxley doesn’t really do anything with that narrative thread.narrative thread.

The worst thing he does is interfere with The worst thing he does is interfere with their shared love of Shakespeare – both a minor their shared love of Shakespeare – both a minor and terrible crime, depending on your and terrible crime, depending on your perspective.perspective.

While Bernard’s personality remains in flux, While Bernard’s personality remains in flux, Helmholtz has begun pushing against his Helmholtz has begun pushing against his previously unacknowledged limitations.previously unacknowledged limitations.

As an experiment, he taught his students As an experiment, he taught his students rhymes he’d written about solitude.rhymes he’d written about solitude.

Obviously, Helmholtz is swiftly censured for Obviously, Helmholtz is swiftly censured for his actions (shades of Ampleforth in his actions (shades of Ampleforth in 1984)1984), but , but he doesn’t seem to mind.he doesn’t seem to mind.

““I feel,” he said, after a silence, “as though I feel,” he said, after a silence, “as though I were just beginning to have something to write I were just beginning to have something to write about. As though I were beginning to be able to about. As though I were beginning to be able to use that power I feel I’ve got inside me – that use that power I feel I’ve got inside me – that extra, latent power. Something seems to be extra, latent power. Something seems to be coming to me.” In spite of all his troubles, he coming to me.” In spite of all his troubles, he seemed, Bernard thought, profoundly happy.seemed, Bernard thought, profoundly happy.

““ProfoundlyProfoundly happyhappy” – a phrase consisting of ” – a phrase consisting of two words that don’t belong together in the two words that don’t belong together in the World State.World State.

The last thing of note in the twelfth The last thing of note in the twelfth chapter lies in Helmholtz’s reaction to chapter lies in Helmholtz’s reaction to John’s John’s Romeo and Juliet.Romeo and Juliet.

While he’s transfixed at first, he While he’s transfixed at first, he bursts out laughing, which deeply hurts bursts out laughing, which deeply hurts John…but he can’t help it.John…but he can’t help it.

To Helmholtz, To Helmholtz, Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet is is patently absurd: A conflict between two patently absurd: A conflict between two families born out of wounded love? A families born out of wounded love? A young girl’s devotion to a single young young girl’s devotion to a single young man, a devotion that burns so fiercely that man, a devotion that burns so fiercely that the prospect of living without him drives the prospect of living without him drives her to commit suicide?her to commit suicide?

Even the idea of a family crypt – a Even the idea of a family crypt – a place to leave people you place to leave people you cared aboutcared about to to rot, wasting their minerals instead of rot, wasting their minerals instead of making them useful to the social body in making them useful to the social body in death – seems ridiculous to him.death – seems ridiculous to him.

Clearly, the Bard’s words aren’t – can’t be – Clearly, the Bard’s words aren’t – can’t be – relevant to the people in the World State.relevant to the people in the World State.

Once he’s done laughing at Shakespeare, however, Once he’s done laughing at Shakespeare, however, Helmholtz grows more thoughtful.Helmholtz grows more thoughtful.

““And yet,” said Helmholtz when, having recovered And yet,” said Helmholtz when, having recovered breath enough to apologize, he had mollified the Savage breath enough to apologize, he had mollified the Savage into listening to his explanations, “I know quite well that into listening to his explanations, “I know quite well that one needs ridiculous, mad situations like that; one can’t one needs ridiculous, mad situations like that; one can’t write really well about anything else. Why was that old write really well about anything else. Why was that old fellow such a marvellous propaganda technician? fellow such a marvellous propaganda technician? Because he had so many insane, excruciating things to Because he had so many insane, excruciating things to get excited about. You’ve got to be hurt and upset; get excited about. You’ve got to be hurt and upset; otherwise you can’t think of the really good, otherwise you can’t think of the really good, penetrating, X-rayish phrases. But fathers and penetrating, X-rayish phrases. But fathers and mothers!” He shook his head. “You can’t expect me to mothers!” He shook his head. “You can’t expect me to keep a straight face about fathers and mothers. And keep a straight face about fathers and mothers. And who’s going to get excited about a boy having a girl or who’s going to get excited about a boy having a girl or not having her?” (The Savage winced; but Helmholtz, not having her?” (The Savage winced; but Helmholtz, who was staring pensively at the floor, saw nothing.) who was staring pensively at the floor, saw nothing.) “No.” he concluded, with a sigh, “it won’t do. We need “No.” he concluded, with a sigh, “it won’t do. We need some other kind of madness and violence. But what? some other kind of madness and violence. But what? What? Where can one find it?” He was silent; then, What? Where can one find it?” He was silent; then, shaking his head, “I don’t know,” he said at last, “I shaking his head, “I don’t know,” he said at last, “I don’t know.”don’t know.”

Chapter Thirteen opens with a morbidly Chapter Thirteen opens with a morbidly humorous moment: Henry Foster, inquiring into humorous moment: Henry Foster, inquiring into Lenina’s condition, mistakes her agitation for Lenina’s condition, mistakes her agitation for signs of infection (a few sicknesses remain in the signs of infection (a few sicknesses remain in the world, but they’ve been virtually eliminated).world, but they’ve been virtually eliminated).

Once he’s sure she’s not about to die, he Once he’s sure she’s not about to die, he encourages her to take a Pregnancy Substitute or encourages her to take a Pregnancy Substitute or a V.P.S., short for Violent Passion Surrogate.a V.P.S., short for Violent Passion Surrogate.

You’ll notice there’s a lot of “-surrogate” You’ll notice there’s a lot of “-surrogate” this and “-surrogate” that; the word basically this and “-surrogate” that; the word basically means “replacement” or “stand-in.”means “replacement” or “stand-in.”

For example, if I’m the only influential adult For example, if I’m the only influential adult figure providing guidance in your life (and I figure providing guidance in your life (and I expect/hope/pray that’s not the case), I serve as expect/hope/pray that’s not the case), I serve as a “surrogate parent” – not an impressive a “surrogate parent” – not an impressive substitute for the genuine article, but an substitute for the genuine article, but an adequate one.adequate one.

Henry’s basically suggesting that Henry’s basically suggesting that Lenina flush her system with a flood of Lenina flush her system with a flood of adrenaline – not with adrenaline resulting adrenaline – not with adrenaline resulting from actual risk and experience, of course, from actual risk and experience, of course, but with its chemical replacement.but with its chemical replacement.

Lenina obviously has enough Violent Lenina obviously has enough Violent Passion to deal with right now, and she Passion to deal with right now, and she angrily dismisses Henry.angrily dismisses Henry.

His presence sufficiently distracts her His presence sufficiently distracts her from giving a particular vaccine to the from giving a particular vaccine to the embryo she’s working on at the moment.embryo she’s working on at the moment.

Almost twenty-three years later, the Almost twenty-three years later, the person who develops from that embryo person who develops from that embryo dies of the sickness he should have been dies of the sickness he should have been inoculated against.inoculated against.

This little moment may seem to signify This little moment may seem to signify something cruel – that the universe is mean something cruel – that the universe is mean and pointless.and pointless.

Really, it’s just a simple way for Huxley to Really, it’s just a simple way for Huxley to point out that we shouldn’t play at being God, point out that we shouldn’t play at being God, for we make as poor a substitute for the divine for we make as poor a substitute for the divine as a V.P.S. does for actual experience – or as I as a V.P.S. does for actual experience – or as I do for your parents.do for your parents.

In fact, In fact, Brave New WorldBrave New World represents an represents an argument against substitution of that nature.argument against substitution of that nature.

Don’t replace birth with ectogenesis, God Don’t replace birth with ectogenesis, God with Ford, love with soma, books with feelies, with Ford, love with soma, books with feelies, families with Bokanovsky groups, morality with families with Bokanovsky groups, morality with hypnopædia, or grief with conditioned apathy.hypnopædia, or grief with conditioned apathy.

Don’t swap our world for the brave new Don’t swap our world for the brave new one! (At least not one! (At least not thisthis one…) one…)

Fanny tries to console Lenina, which Fanny tries to console Lenina, which only makes things worse.only makes things worse.

Her futile attempts to help highlight Her futile attempts to help highlight the deficit between the “cures” the World the deficit between the “cures” the World State offers and the things we actually State offers and the things we actually need to retain our humanity.need to retain our humanity.

SomaSoma and promiscuity are all well and and promiscuity are all well and good for most of the World Staters, but good for most of the World Staters, but Lenina’s now in pursuit of something that Lenina’s now in pursuit of something that lies outside the social body.lies outside the social body.

Unfortunately, the foreign nature of Unfortunately, the foreign nature of what she wants prevents her from what she wants prevents her from knowing knowing howhow to pursue it. to pursue it.

Shades of Cady Heron, longing for Shades of Cady Heron, longing for Aaron Samuels…Aaron Samuels…

This fact is made painfully clear This fact is made painfully clear during the awkward encounter she soon during the awkward encounter she soon has with the Savage: to say they talk at has with the Savage: to say they talk at cross-purposes is to offer up a supreme cross-purposes is to offer up a supreme understatement.understatement.

Lenina has Lenina has nono idea what John’s idea what John’s rambling on about, and John has no idea rambling on about, and John has no idea how to communicate the gravity of his how to communicate the gravity of his emotions to her.emotions to her.

The entire concept of emotional The entire concept of emotional gravity has been abolished within the gravity has been abolished within the World State for decades!World State for decades!

They might as well be speaking They might as well be speaking different languages (and this isn’t even different languages (and this isn’t even about John’s penchant for referencing about John’s penchant for referencing Shakespeare!).Shakespeare!).

When John finally blurts that he loves When John finally blurts that he loves Lenina, that he wants to marry her and Lenina, that he wants to marry her and devote himself to her, she’s flummoxed at devote himself to her, she’s flummoxed at first – no one gets married!first – no one gets married!

Eventually, she responds the way Eventually, she responds the way she’s been trained to respond to a she’s been trained to respond to a declaration of desire; every one belongs declaration of desire; every one belongs to every one else.to every one else.

But as Lenina’s ripping off her clothes But as Lenina’s ripping off her clothes and advancing on him, the voice of John’s and advancing on him, the voice of John’s conscience is hammering in his ears, conscience is hammering in his ears, telling him “No! No! No!” in no uncertain telling him “No! No! No!” in no uncertain terms.terms.

The two things pulling at him – The two things pulling at him – Lenina’s body, the morals he’s built over Lenina’s body, the morals he’s built over the short but lonely course of his life – are the short but lonely course of his life – are totally irreconcilable, and John shatters totally irreconcilable, and John shatters when they come into contact.when they come into contact.

The next thing she (and we) know(s), The next thing she (and we) know(s), John is screaming at and swearing at and John is screaming at and swearing at and swatting at and scaring poor Lenina, swatting at and scaring poor Lenina, who’s simultaneously terrified and who’s simultaneously terrified and completely confused.completely confused.

She’s never had anyone react to her She’s never had anyone react to her the way John does, and has no way to the way John does, and has no way to contextualize his reaction – let alone contextualize his reaction – let alone understand how deeply it’s rooted in understand how deeply it’s rooted in John’s own inner turmoil and not in John’s own inner turmoil and not in herself.herself.

So she locks herself in the bathroom So she locks herself in the bathroom while John yells Shakespearean verses while John yells Shakespearean verses about the worst parts of love and sex at about the worst parts of love and sex at her – things she doesn’t really know can her – things she doesn’t really know can havehave “worst parts.” “worst parts.”

John’s diatribe is only interrupted by John’s diatribe is only interrupted by a sudden call from medical personnel, who a sudden call from medical personnel, who have informed him that his mother’s have informed him that his mother’s about to die.about to die.

The callers don’t expect John to react The callers don’t expect John to react to the news at all – this is a society which to the news at all – this is a society which values death-conditioning, after all – but values death-conditioning, after all – but he rushes out the door abruptly, leaving a he rushes out the door abruptly, leaving a wary, shocked, and disoriented Lenina wary, shocked, and disoriented Lenina (and audience) in his wake.(and audience) in his wake.

Huxley’s not switching narrative Huxley’s not switching narrative tacks without reason; in this case, he’s tacks without reason; in this case, he’s explicitly linking sex, devotion, self-worth, explicitly linking sex, devotion, self-worth, and death.and death.

John’s self-worth is caught up in his John’s self-worth is caught up in his ability to devote himself to the things ability to devote himself to the things around him.around him.

He devoted himself to a society that He devoted himself to a society that rejected him on the Savage Reservation, rejected him on the Savage Reservation, to a mother who never seemed to know to a mother who never seemed to know what she should exactly do with him, to what she should exactly do with him, to the resurrected words of a dead the resurrected words of a dead playwright, and to the beliefs he holds playwright, and to the beliefs he holds about the kind of person he wants to be.about the kind of person he wants to be.

John always seems to have faith that John always seems to have faith that these things can be more than they really these things can be more than they really are.are.

He wants to be better than he is, free He wants to be better than he is, free from urges and desires he considers from urges and desires he considers revolting.revolting.

He wants Lenina to be better than He wants Lenina to be better than she is – to be his Juliet, and he her Romeo.she is – to be his Juliet, and he her Romeo.

In this way, he’s actually just like In this way, he’s actually just like Romeo, who’s all too ready to believe that Romeo, who’s all too ready to believe that Juliet’s more than a thirteen-year-old girl Juliet’s more than a thirteen-year-old girl who’s powerless to really act on her urges who’s powerless to really act on her urges – let alone do so in the face of her – let alone do so in the face of her parents’ war with Romeo’s family.parents’ war with Romeo’s family.

In the play, Romeo’s idolization of In the play, Romeo’s idolization of Juliet (a false goddess) blinds him to Juliet (a false goddess) blinds him to what’s going on around him, which in turn what’s going on around him, which in turn leads to his downfall.leads to his downfall.

John’s failure to reconcile the person John’s failure to reconcile the person he wants to be – and the person he wants he wants to be – and the person he wants Lenina to be – with the people they are, to Lenina to be – with the people they are, to reconcile his ideals with life’s realities, reconcile his ideals with life’s realities, leads to a similar fate.leads to a similar fate.

Lenina’s self-worth, on the other hand, is Lenina’s self-worth, on the other hand, is determined by the degree to which she can determined by the degree to which she can immerse herself within the social body – by how immerse herself within the social body – by how thoroughly she can give herself away to others, thoroughly she can give herself away to others, and how thoroughly she can take the pleasures and how thoroughly she can take the pleasures of live for herself.of live for herself.

For Lenina, that’s usually through sex, as For Lenina, that’s usually through sex, as it is for most World Staters.it is for most World Staters.

Lenina Lenina isis unusual, in that we’ve seen she unusual, in that we’ve seen she isis capable of devoting herself to someone. capable of devoting herself to someone.

We see this reflected in the monogamous We see this reflected in the monogamous behavior she displays with Henry Foster – the behavior she displays with Henry Foster – the very conduct that so thoroughly disgusted very conduct that so thoroughly disgusted Fanny.Fanny.

But she can’t understand how badly John But she can’t understand how badly John wants her to be devoted to wants her to be devoted to himhim, or how , or how narrowly he wants her to focus her impulses.narrowly he wants her to focus her impulses.

They’re totally incompatible, and they’re They’re totally incompatible, and they’re doomed together; Linda’s impending death just doomed together; Linda’s impending death just rams it home symbolically.rams it home symbolically.

Finally, Linda’s self-worth has been Finally, Linda’s self-worth has been ruined by sex, and by the birth that ruined by sex, and by the birth that followed.followed.

She raised John, but it’s impossible to She raised John, but it’s impossible to say she was devoted to him, especially say she was devoted to him, especially since he wants to be devoted to since he wants to be devoted to herher in in ways she (like Lenina) simply isn’t wired ways she (like Lenina) simply isn’t wired to process.to process.

If she’s devoted to anything, it’s to If she’s devoted to anything, it’s to the way of life she once enjoyed.the way of life she once enjoyed.

Once it becomes clear, upon her Once it becomes clear, upon her return, that she’ll never enjoy that again – return, that she’ll never enjoy that again – that there’s no returning to Eden after the that there’s no returning to Eden after the Fall – there’s nothing left for her to do but Fall – there’s nothing left for her to do but die…die…