"No more than sleep. Sleep. Perchance to dream." PAGE 254
Throughout the novel, the author uses a unique style. He continuously uses fragments to convey his message. The short phrases drew attention to his point. They were effective in focusing the reader on the important issue. Rather than wasting interest on the unimportant details, the author uses fragments to briefly make a statement. I found the fragments to be effective because it was something I noticed throughout the novel. It made me focus on those brief phrases rather than on the little details provided in the longer sentences. Without the use of fragments, it would have been hard to distinguish the important details from the unimportant ones. This book presented an interesting view on the future and presented a message through the use of various literary devices.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Extended Metaphor (Brave New World)
"In a few minutes there were dozens of them, standing in a wide circle round the lighthouse, staring, laughing, clicking their cameras, throwing (as to an ape) peanuts, packets of sex-hormone chewing gum..." "The ape had spoken; there was a burst of laughter and hand-clapping." PAGE 255
This is an example of an extended metaphor. The first quote is presented a few paragraphs prior to the second. They both contain the comparison of the savage to an ape. Throughout this last part of the book, several different animal comparisons are made. The savage is apparently the ape. The helicopters of the reporters are locusts and grasshoppers. Also, as the crowd began to shout about the whip, the noise is referred to as parrot-like. The parrot connotation comes from their repetition of the phrase that they continuously did. As the crowd began to disperse and shift, they are described as being like swine. All of these animal comparisons served a deeper purpose than just describing what people or things resembled. The different comparisons of the people to animals presented them all like animals, like savages. The people are supposed to be completely civilized because of their "conditioning" but when it comes down to it, there is savage in all of us. It was a little ironic that they were all acting like animals and savages because they are supposed to be the civilized one. It was hypocritical of them to be calling John the Savage and referring to him as that as opposed to his name, because they were all acting similarly. I feel the message behind this is similar to that in Lord of the Flies. In Lord of the Flies, the proper boys all turn savage to survive the island. In this situation of Brave New World, the civilians all turn savage and animal like to observe the Savage.
This is an example of an extended metaphor. The first quote is presented a few paragraphs prior to the second. They both contain the comparison of the savage to an ape. Throughout this last part of the book, several different animal comparisons are made. The savage is apparently the ape. The helicopters of the reporters are locusts and grasshoppers. Also, as the crowd began to shout about the whip, the noise is referred to as parrot-like. The parrot connotation comes from their repetition of the phrase that they continuously did. As the crowd began to disperse and shift, they are described as being like swine. All of these animal comparisons served a deeper purpose than just describing what people or things resembled. The different comparisons of the people to animals presented them all like animals, like savages. The people are supposed to be completely civilized because of their "conditioning" but when it comes down to it, there is savage in all of us. It was a little ironic that they were all acting like animals and savages because they are supposed to be the civilized one. It was hypocritical of them to be calling John the Savage and referring to him as that as opposed to his name, because they were all acting similarly. I feel the message behind this is similar to that in Lord of the Flies. In Lord of the Flies, the proper boys all turn savage to survive the island. In this situation of Brave New World, the civilians all turn savage and animal like to observe the Savage.
God or Not (Brave New World)
"God isn't compatible with machinery and scientific medicine and universal happiness. You must make your choice. Our civilization has chosen machinery and medicine and happiness." PAGE 234
I found this to be an interesting take on the issue of religion. It seems strange to me that the controller believes there is a God and yet will not let the people know or learn or associate with a God. Now, saying that he believes in God was a broad statement. He said it himself, but as he further explained his theory it appeared that he did not believe in a God. The idea that God manifests himself as an absense almost sounds like he is saying he does not believe in a God. As a Catholic, it is hard to imagine people not having any religion at all. Even another religion would be easier to understand. The idea of not believing in anything just seems weird to me. The people may be conditioned not to believe in a religion, but as the Savage said, wouldn't they be inclined to believe in something. It would appear that human nature would want to deep down believe in something greater than oneself. The more I read on this chapter containing the religious talk, the more I agreed with the Savage. He was making good points in his conversation with the controller. The Savage was pointing out things more related to what I believe. He stood strong for what he believed and might have even endangered himself for his thoughts.
I found this to be an interesting take on the issue of religion. It seems strange to me that the controller believes there is a God and yet will not let the people know or learn or associate with a God. Now, saying that he believes in God was a broad statement. He said it himself, but as he further explained his theory it appeared that he did not believe in a God. The idea that God manifests himself as an absense almost sounds like he is saying he does not believe in a God. As a Catholic, it is hard to imagine people not having any religion at all. Even another religion would be easier to understand. The idea of not believing in anything just seems weird to me. The people may be conditioned not to believe in a religion, but as the Savage said, wouldn't they be inclined to believe in something. It would appear that human nature would want to deep down believe in something greater than oneself. The more I read on this chapter containing the religious talk, the more I agreed with the Savage. He was making good points in his conversation with the controller. The Savage was pointing out things more related to what I believe. He stood strong for what he believed and might have even endangered himself for his thoughts.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Implied Metaphor (Brave New World)
"Science is dangerous; we have to keep it most carefully chained and muzzled." PAGE 225
The metaphor is effective here in describing how to deal with the burden of science. It can be both beneficial and harmful to the society. It can be implied that Mustapha Mond is comparing science to a dog. The metaphor provides an example that readers can relate to. Apparently the society is based on a sort of science of its own. There must be the perfect balance between several aspects to make everything work. When the people themselves do not conform or differ in thought, they try to do the same thing with them. If they are not quiet about their ideas, they send them away to prevent them from corrupting the whole society. It seems a little harsh, but they are worried about the stability of the society as a whole. Even the controller knows what it is like to be threatened to be sent away, but he is about to send away Helmholtz, Bernard, and John.
The metaphor is effective here in describing how to deal with the burden of science. It can be both beneficial and harmful to the society. It can be implied that Mustapha Mond is comparing science to a dog. The metaphor provides an example that readers can relate to. Apparently the society is based on a sort of science of its own. There must be the perfect balance between several aspects to make everything work. When the people themselves do not conform or differ in thought, they try to do the same thing with them. If they are not quiet about their ideas, they send them away to prevent them from corrupting the whole society. It seems a little harsh, but they are worried about the stability of the society as a whole. Even the controller knows what it is like to be threatened to be sent away, but he is about to send away Helmholtz, Bernard, and John.
Set Them Free (Brave New World)
"I'll teach you; I'll make you be free whether you want to or not." PAGE 213
After Linda passes away, John experiences an incidence of insanity. He strongly believes that his mother died because of the soma she had been taking. All of the people are addicted to the substance. John does not like it and tries to help the people, he thinks. John is trying to do what he believes is best for these people by trying to get them to stop taking the soma. He wants to protect these people from the same wretched end his mother endured. I think he takes it a step to far. It would have been acceptable, I think, to to make a spectacle of himself with his verbal advice. The fact that he went far enough to get rid of the soma to be distributed to the Deltas created a chaotic uproar that could have been avoided. The people obviously do not want to stop using the soma, but John will not take that for an answer. He is determined to free these people. Addiction seems to be not just accepted, but encouraged in their society. In our society today, people get help for addictions and usually try to stop when they know they have a problem. These people are killing themselves and do not care. The views regarding addiction differ drastically between our society today and the society described in the novel. John has the right idea in trying to get them to stop using the soma, but they do not agree.
After Linda passes away, John experiences an incidence of insanity. He strongly believes that his mother died because of the soma she had been taking. All of the people are addicted to the substance. John does not like it and tries to help the people, he thinks. John is trying to do what he believes is best for these people by trying to get them to stop taking the soma. He wants to protect these people from the same wretched end his mother endured. I think he takes it a step to far. It would have been acceptable, I think, to to make a spectacle of himself with his verbal advice. The fact that he went far enough to get rid of the soma to be distributed to the Deltas created a chaotic uproar that could have been avoided. The people obviously do not want to stop using the soma, but John will not take that for an answer. He is determined to free these people. Addiction seems to be not just accepted, but encouraged in their society. In our society today, people get help for addictions and usually try to stop when they know they have a problem. These people are killing themselves and do not care. The views regarding addiction differ drastically between our society today and the society described in the novel. John has the right idea in trying to get them to stop using the soma, but they do not agree.
Mood (Brave New World)
"...of what fatal mischief he might do to these poor innocents? Undoing all their wholesome death-conditioning with this disgusting outcry-as though death were something terrible, as though any one mattered as much as all that!" PAGE 206
The mood during this situation was a little contradictory. Through John and his words, the mood seemed somber and terrible. His mother was dying after all. He was horrified and just wanted to save her. He did not want his mother to die, which was understandable. On the other hand, the nurse inside the ward was more concerned about the society as a whole. She was worried about the children not being properly death conditioned. She could have cared less if Linda died or not. Her mood was worry, but not for the same reason as John. Surrounding Linda, the nurse set a mood of acceptance and inevitability. She did not even try to help her in her last few moments. Through these two characters, the author is able to convey a differing mood on the issue of death. John felt that all that mattered at the time was his mother while the only thing the nurse was concerned about was the death conditioning the children had already been through.
The mood during this situation was a little contradictory. Through John and his words, the mood seemed somber and terrible. His mother was dying after all. He was horrified and just wanted to save her. He did not want his mother to die, which was understandable. On the other hand, the nurse inside the ward was more concerned about the society as a whole. She was worried about the children not being properly death conditioned. She could have cared less if Linda died or not. Her mood was worry, but not for the same reason as John. Surrounding Linda, the nurse set a mood of acceptance and inevitability. She did not even try to help her in her last few moments. Through these two characters, the author is able to convey a differing mood on the issue of death. John felt that all that mattered at the time was his mother while the only thing the nurse was concerned about was the death conditioning the children had already been through.
Suspense (Brave New World)
"'Oh, my God! What's the address?'
. . . .
'Three Park Lane-is that it? Three? Thanks.'
Lenina heard the click of the replaced receiver, then hurrying steps." PAGE 197
This quote ended the chapter in suspense. The reader is left to wonder, at this point, what the crisis is. The main point contributing to the effectiveness of the suspense is that the reader is aware of one side of a phone conversation. If the reader would have known what was being said on both sides, the suspense would be taken away. The situation at hand would be known. Without knowing, the reader is encouraged to make predictions about what will happen next and what is going on. I think the crisis, from the one side of the conversation I know, that someone is gravely ill. It also seems to me that it is his mother, Linda. I think this because throughout the novel it is reiterated several times that the society accepts death and are primarily illness free. Linda would be the one vulnerable of disease from living like a savage like she did in the west. It has also been hinted that Linda would soon become severely sick or die from the use of the soma. I believe that Linda is very ill from all the soma she has been taking and that her son, John, left in a rush to be with her. The savages do not accept death the same way the society does. Even if they do see death as inevitable, it was not something that was easy to accept. John's leaving provided the perfect opportunity for Lenina to leave safely, I assume.
. . . .
'Three Park Lane-is that it? Three? Thanks.'
Lenina heard the click of the replaced receiver, then hurrying steps." PAGE 197
This quote ended the chapter in suspense. The reader is left to wonder, at this point, what the crisis is. The main point contributing to the effectiveness of the suspense is that the reader is aware of one side of a phone conversation. If the reader would have known what was being said on both sides, the suspense would be taken away. The situation at hand would be known. Without knowing, the reader is encouraged to make predictions about what will happen next and what is going on. I think the crisis, from the one side of the conversation I know, that someone is gravely ill. It also seems to me that it is his mother, Linda. I think this because throughout the novel it is reiterated several times that the society accepts death and are primarily illness free. Linda would be the one vulnerable of disease from living like a savage like she did in the west. It has also been hinted that Linda would soon become severely sick or die from the use of the soma. I believe that Linda is very ill from all the soma she has been taking and that her son, John, left in a rush to be with her. The savages do not accept death the same way the society does. Even if they do see death as inevitable, it was not something that was easy to accept. John's leaving provided the perfect opportunity for Lenina to leave safely, I assume.
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