Brave New World Pages 158 - 179

Summary- The chapter starts off with John refusing to come out to see the Arch-Community Songster of Canterbury. He is in a state of depression because he dislikes the civilized world. The Arch is extremely angry that Bernard lied to him about meeting him up with the Savage. Lenina believes that John still doesn't like her because he didn't go to the event which Lenina also attended. Bernard is understandably angry at John because he ruined the event, but he hadn't asked John if he wanted to attend. Bernard consults Helmholtz about his problems with authority. Helmholtz also got in trouble. He wrote a rhyme and recited it which was classified as corrupt propaganda. This was not surprising since his rhyme topic was solitude which was forbidden in the World State. John was introduced to Helmholtz after Bernard was finished being angry. They quickly became friends. They connected through their readings and writings. Helmholtz would recite his lines from his poetry while John would recite Shakespeare. Bernard often interrupted because he became envious at their newly developed friendship. Helmholtz likes all that John has to say except for the love scene from Romeo and Juliet which he ridicules as obscenity and silliness. John was about to confide his issues with seeing if Lenina loved him to Helmholtz after the friendship was a tight bond. Surprisingly, Lenina came instead. She had been trying to get John out of her mind with other men but she has had no success. They confide their love to each other and find that they had mutual feelings. Lenina asks why John didn't say so earlier. John then tells her that back in the reservations, a man must prove himself first. Lenina is quick to show her love by removing her clothing and approaching John. John angrily and frighteningly yells whore to her because she approached him such a sexual and unexpected way. John pushes her away and tells Lenina to go away or else he will kill her. She hides in the bathroom as John answers a phone call. The hospital has called to inform John that his mother, Linda, is dying.

Quote- "get out of my sight or I'll kill you"(Huxley 177).

Reaction- The quote really shows how John will never fit in with this "civilized" society. Lenina approaches John for sex to show her feelings but John is horrified by the aspect of such a sudden event. In Lenina's society, her actions were quite normal; however, in John's world, this sudden unexpected act is treated with disgust. John fears society more than he loves Lenina which is shown when he pushes her away. It shows that he actually fears and is disgusted by Lenina because of his different viewpoints on love. Lenina is incapable of showing and relieving her feelings any other way but John is accustomed to a slower relationship. This is one of the many times in the novel that there is a clash in ideas of society.