Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Bernard's True Intentions

In Brave New World, a science fiction novel commenting on the use of technology and its importance in shaping a Utopian/Dystopian world, the part of the novel that had the strongest effect on  would be right after Bernard Marx brought back John and Linda to show to the Director. After this event we see the true side of the character Bernard. Earlier in the novel we are introduced to the insecurities of Bernard. Being an Alpha but lacking in the normal physique shared by normal Alpha males. Being shorter than the rest gives rise to rumours of a mishap while he was an embryo. This furthers his insecurities with himself as well as his position. Through his conversations with Helmholtz Watson, his close friend, we see that Bernard is capable of individual thought and does realize that there is a problem with the world they live in. However after his experience at the reservation and after the ordeal with the Director involving his long lost lover and his son we see a different and truer side of Bernard. Bernard used his popularity as well as John to get what he wants. Be it reputation, fulfilling his own ego, or women. We find out that Bernard truly wanted to fit in with the world he was so critical of and find out that the only reason for the criticism of the world he lives in stems from his hate of being alienated from it. We also see a change in how the society views him. Before people used to be critical of his height, the reasoning for his height being too much alcohol in his blood while he was in the embryonic state. After the incident with John and the Director people completely disregarded this.  At first it seemed as if his experience with John, also an alien from the society he lives in, would open his eyes and show him that being an individual and being unique works and is more natural in humans rather than the completely controlled society he lives in. This was not the case as we see that Bernard only brings John back to his world as a publicity ploy, putting John on display to everyone as the savage. Surprisingly people do realize what Bernard is doing. They comment how this will be his fall and that fact that he will not have another savage to pick him back up afterward. This is surprising seeing as how any information or ideas that people know are those that have been drilled into their minds while they were infants. This event of the novel had a lasting effect on me because it shows the true dynamic of a human being. Bernard's views on society were clear and yet he still yearned to be part of the population even though he hated it. This part of the novel was surprising and a let down. Expecting to see Bernard finally break free from the mold of society we instead see him more than happy with his place even though he hates the ideals. He would rather be part of the crowd rather than stand alone even if he knows it is wrong.

1 comment:

  1. Michael--when I first read the novel, I thought Bernard was going to be the main character. Then Huxley introduced John, and suddenly Bernard was in the background. But I agree with you that the outcome of Bernard's story is a bit of a let down. Remind me exactly how he turns out--does Mustapha Mond send Bernard to one of the islands, or does he stay as part of the World Society?

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