After finally finishing up eighteen chapters of Aldous Huxley's novel, Brave New World I can identify which character conforms outwardly while questioning inwardly. Bernard Marx is that character.
In Aldous Huxley's Brave New World , Bernard Marx isn't actually a social butterfly. He lives as normally as he can, but can't deny the fact that he doesn't feel at home with himself. He does what he's told because that is what is expected of him and it would be way out of pocket and dangerous to protest. So Bernard goes about his life, struggling to blend in to a crowd that differs from him in such significant catagories as he wants to live a clear, meaningful life.
Bernard does many things to conform outwardly. Everyday he works with hypnopedia, which means he implants messages into the minds of youth. However, the messages are things he does not even agree with. Still, the culture of his society doesn't even make it an issue that he would dissent. Protest is so out of pocket that it doesn't cross the mind of someone like Bernard who is unsatisfied. Instead, they make sincere attempts to conform so they too can be happy. Bernard takes place in an "orgy-porgy," trying to fit in and to become a normal member of society. To his disappointment, he finds he is still the same unsatisfied individual as before.
The internal thoughts of Bernard reflect something else all together. He even acts weird/different by not really socializing. For Bernard, being alone is essential because he's able to be alone in his own thoughts and away from the actions he sees as superficial. He does, however, develop an interest in Lenina Trotsky. Lenina on the surface actually appears to be somewhat of an inward protester. She tells Bernard how she has not been "hoing around" as much. This may or may not have made feel Bernard feel some type of way. But, Bernard is disappointed to find out that she behaves just as a citizen of the World State should. She doesn't understand his shyness about asking to "have her" and is perfectly willing to be treated as "a piece of meat." This experience makes him more aware of his differences and makes his inner protest stronger
In order to survive, human beings try to blend in with their company. Anything that stands out is more likely to get crushed. Because of this, there are countless examples of people conforming for their safety but on the inside, enraged with the injustice of their situation. Bernard is one of these people. He has no choice but to conform yet he is painfully aware that there is something missing. That something is the brightness that would liven a dreary gray society.
In Aldous Huxley's Brave New World , Bernard Marx isn't actually a social butterfly. He lives as normally as he can, but can't deny the fact that he doesn't feel at home with himself. He does what he's told because that is what is expected of him and it would be way out of pocket and dangerous to protest. So Bernard goes about his life, struggling to blend in to a crowd that differs from him in such significant catagories as he wants to live a clear, meaningful life.
Bernard does many things to conform outwardly. Everyday he works with hypnopedia, which means he implants messages into the minds of youth. However, the messages are things he does not even agree with. Still, the culture of his society doesn't even make it an issue that he would dissent. Protest is so out of pocket that it doesn't cross the mind of someone like Bernard who is unsatisfied. Instead, they make sincere attempts to conform so they too can be happy. Bernard takes place in an "orgy-porgy," trying to fit in and to become a normal member of society. To his disappointment, he finds he is still the same unsatisfied individual as before.
The internal thoughts of Bernard reflect something else all together. He even acts weird/different by not really socializing. For Bernard, being alone is essential because he's able to be alone in his own thoughts and away from the actions he sees as superficial. He does, however, develop an interest in Lenina Trotsky. Lenina on the surface actually appears to be somewhat of an inward protester. She tells Bernard how she has not been "hoing around" as much. This may or may not have made feel Bernard feel some type of way. But, Bernard is disappointed to find out that she behaves just as a citizen of the World State should. She doesn't understand his shyness about asking to "have her" and is perfectly willing to be treated as "a piece of meat." This experience makes him more aware of his differences and makes his inner protest stronger
In order to survive, human beings try to blend in with their company. Anything that stands out is more likely to get crushed. Because of this, there are countless examples of people conforming for their safety but on the inside, enraged with the injustice of their situation. Bernard is one of these people. He has no choice but to conform yet he is painfully aware that there is something missing. That something is the brightness that would liven a dreary gray society.
Comments
Post a Comment