"Slowly, very slowly, like two unhurried compass needles, the feet turned towards the right; north, north-east, east, south-east, south, south-south-west; then paused, and, after a few seconds, turned as unhurriedly back towards the left. South-south-west, south, south-east, east...." (pg 259).
A recurring theme in the novel was Huxley's portrayal of happiness in a variety of ways. All that John wanted to do to do be happy was to torture himself in solitude to become one with God. People treated the Savage like a daily soap opera where everyday they could go to see him for some entertainment. I believe that Huxley decided to end the novel with the Savage finally succeeding in his suicide attempts because it really drove home this theme. The novel easily could have gone a few more chapters with John's possible funeral and the reactions of those who truly loved him, but that would not have put the same sympathy on the character as this ending did.
I also noticed that Huxley did not simply come out and say that John killed himself, but rather went through the two basic characteristics of a hanging - the archway and turning feet. This was semi-symbolic for me. The Savage was a man whose life as we know it was really topsy-turvy. Describing his feet's compass directions made John seem more like a worldly man who had turned full circle since we met him. He started out as a suicidal lunatic who was sad he was not sacrificed by his village, but grew as a person through Shakespeare and his time in the Brave New World. Unfortunately, he backtracked when his mother passed away
This sad ending really drove home the theme of finding happiness, while the previous chapter I now see was in charge of showing the dangers of an all-powerful government and a reliance on science.
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| On to the next novel! |
"Reliance on science" is fun to say.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, I don't think that John was trying to kill himself during most of chapter eighteen as much as he was trying to feel pain. He knew that in order to be truly happy, he had to experience pain as a contrast. Also, I think there was some self-punishment going on because he felt guilty about things -- like lusting for Lenina!
I just worded it poorly. Earlier in the novel he had talked about how he had failed at suicide. This chapter he did just torture himself to find happiness I thought.
ReplyDeleteMax,
ReplyDeleteYour entries on Brave New World reflect a thorough thought process that quickly goes beyond basic plot elements. Excellent work. Apply the same technique to Never Let Me Go, and you'll be in great shape come August!