Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Stream of Consciousness (Brave New World)

"Yes, 'Everybody's happy nowadays.' We begin giving the children that at five. But wouldn't you like to be free to be happy in some other way, Lenina? In your own way, for example; not in everybody else's way." PAGE 91

This quote, along with several others by Bernard, allow the reader to delve deeper into his mind. It is an example of stream of consciousness. He reveals his inner thoughts and reactions to what is going on. In his mind when only the reader and himself know what he is saying is when he questions life as it is known in his society. Without allowing the reader to know what Bernard is thinking, the reader would have no idea that he thinks different than other people. He does not just go along with what the rest of his society believes. I think most of this is prompted by the solidarity he experiences. When he is alone, he has time to think about the way things are the way they are and what it would be like if they weren't. Because he is different than the other Alphas in his thoughts and actions, he has been alienated to a point from the group to which he belongs. I feel concern for him that he is uncomfortable with the way he is supposed to be acting but is forced to try to fit in. The fact that he will be punished and sent away for his behavior does not seem fair in terms of our world but it seemed to be an acceptable punishment for their society. If only those in charge knew the thoughts he expresses to the reader. He might be punished even more severely.

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