Brave New World- blog post two.

Why is the savage, John,  so popular among the people of the society?

            John, the savage, becomes instantly popular because he is different. The people of the World State are all made similar with certain beliefs forced into them through hypnopædia and what they did with the roses and books. John is different from all of these people. He was not made in a factory; he was naturally born in the Reservation. In a report written for Mustapha Mond, Bernard writes that “[the savage’s] interest [is] focused on what he calls ‘the soul,’ which he persists in regarding as an entity independent of the physical environment… the savage [finds] civilized infantility too easy or... not expensive enough.” (158-159) The savage’s views on soma and birth are clearly different from the views of the World State people. It is not surprising that people from a society, like the World State’s, find such interest in a person with different views from those of everyone else’s.

            Also, John is considered a savage. Savages are members of a group of people that are regarded as uncivilized. In meeting an “uncivilized” person the “highly-civilized” may grow to feel stronger about themselves and their culture. John is in the Beta- Minus room watching  a video of the Penitentes of Acomas prostrating themselves. When all of the other people in the room started to wail because the “Penitentes rose to their feet, stripped off their uppergardments and, with knotted whips, began to beat themselves, blow after blow.”(162) John believe that the beating should not be laughed at. The people, however, do laugh because “it’s so extraordinarily funny.” (162) By laughing the people believe that they are putting themselves about the Penitentes.

 If soma was suddenly removed from the World State, what would the results be?   

            When John was objecting to the use of soma  the doctor said, “Well, of course, if you prefer to have [Linda] screaming mad all the time…” (155) Linda is not the only one who would be screaming mad all the time if they could not have soma;  the entire population of World State would be. Soma is a major relaxing drug for these people. If it suddenly disappeared the people of World State would be like a smoker who is unable to smoke, crazy and mad.  If the whole population was craving for soma,  the World State would be destroyed by the ciaos.

 Lenina wanted to go to the Reservation, however, when she arrives she becomes very upset, why? And how does the reservation make her feel? Should she have acted this way?

            Lenina wanted to go to the reservation to be with Bernard. When she arrives at the reservation her first reaction is “’I don’t like it’… She pointed to the Indian guide… ‘he smells.’” (107-108) Strait from the beginning she is comparing the Reservation to her home. She complains about the walking, dirtiness, smell, and the inability to use soma. Then, they watch the beating. This is shows the peak of her sadness. “Lenina covered her face with her hands and began to sob. ‘Oh, stop them, stop then.’” She knew that she was going to a savage reservation. I believe that she should have expected savage behavior. Everything she complained about is a part of their culture; she cannot make them stop.