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In Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, the theme of outsiders weaves through the narrative, vividly portrayed in the characters of John, Bernard, and Linda. This essay explores their roles as societal outcasts, unraveling the challenges they face in fitting into the New World and the profound impact of their non-conformity on the novel's narrative.
Bernard Marx, a tapestry of contradictions, becomes a focal point in our exploration of outsiders in Brave New World. His physical differences, attributed to alleged tampering with his blood surrogate during infancy, make him an outsider among the Alphas.
Persistent rumors circulate, suggesting a "gamma put alcohol in his blood surrogate," stunting his physical development (Huxley, 46).
Bernard's penchant for solitude further isolates him within the Alpha community. Spending "most of his time by himself – alone," he becomes the subject of avoidance among his fellow Alphas (Huxley, 45). Bernard's relationships lack camaraderie, with his only solace found in Helmholtz Watson, another societal outsider.
At the novel's outset, Bernard is undeniably an outsider, viewed with skepticism by his Alpha peers.
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Lenina's revelation of her interest in Bernard elicits disapproval, highlighting societal bias against those deemed different (Huxley, 44). However, Bernard's trajectory takes an unexpected turn as he gains newfound popularity after bringing John from the Reservation. This prompts Bernard to embrace societal norms, evidenced by extravagant parties and newfound social status.
Yet, this transformation exposes Bernard's shallowness and hypocrisy. His rapid assimilation upon acceptance reveals the extent to which external validation governs his actions.
Bernard's character becomes a microcosm of societal pressures, forcing individuals to conform against their convictions.
Linda, John's mother, stands as a testament to the unconventional within the New World. Her cardinal sin, having a child, goes against societal norms. The revelation of Linda's status as a mother elicits discomfort among her contemporaries, with the very word "mother" causing Lenina visible unease (Huxley, 118).
Linda's aging process becomes another dimension of her outsider identity. Lenina's visceral reaction to natural wrinkles and sagging features reflects society's aversion to the natural course of life (Huxley, 119). Linda's aging, a consequence of the New World's emphasis on perpetual youth, renders her distinctly different and unaccepted.
When Linda finds herself on the Indian Reservation, her outsider status persists. Accustomed to the New World's norms, she becomes a target of disdain among the indigenous population. Linda's past experiences and moral alignment with the New World create a schism, making her an outsider even among those beyond societal control.
Linda's character serves as a poignant reminder of the New World's rejection of those who deviate from prescribed norms. The disdain towards her maternal status and aging process underscores the dystopian society's intolerance towards any form of deviation from the established order.
John, often referred to as "the Savage," represents the ultimate outsider in the dichotomy between the Indian Reservation and the New World. His dual identity arises from being born in the Reservation to a woman from the New World, resulting in physical disparities such as paler skin (Huxley, 118).
Within the New World, John's resistance to societal norms becomes evident. Rejecting the morality of his contemporaries, he seeks truth and understanding, concepts foreign to the citizens of the New World. His desire to leave this conformist society is manifest in his plea to the controller, expressing his wish to accompany Helmholtz and Bernard to the islands (Huxley, 242).
John's outsider status is further compounded by his preference for solitude. His yearning to be alone stems from his inability to connect with the superficial and conditioned nature of the New World's inhabitants. John's upbringing without the government's conditioning becomes a crucial aspect of his outsider identity, emphasizing the clash between innate human tendencies and the controlled conformity dictated by the New World's authorities.
Examining the experiences of Bernard, Linda, and John reveals commonalities in their struggles against societal norms. Each character grapples with the expectations imposed by the New World, contributing to their outsider identities. Their shared theme of non-conformity becomes pivotal to the novel's depth and complexity, highlighting the broader critique of a homogenized society.
In conclusion, the characters of John, Bernard, and Linda serve as poignant examples of outsiders in Brave New World. Their struggles, individualistic choices, and ultimate impacts on the narrative underscore the significance of the outsider theme in Huxley's exploration of a dystopian future. Without these outsider characters, the novel's narrative would lack the nuanced exploration of societal conformity and the human spirit's innate resistance.
Outsiders in 'Brave New World': Conformity and Identity. (2017, Jan 27). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/outsiders-in-brave-new-world-essay
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