Brave New World - Huxley's Message
A protagonist is described as the prominent character in a novel or text. In Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World”, John the Savage is the central protagonist opposed to Bernard Marx or Helmholtz Watson because he symbolizes cultural difference amongst the World State and the Savage Reservation. Although Bernard and Helmholtz demonstrate differences that would not be accepted in the civilized society, they are only seen as leading characters. Huxley uses John’s character to point out the short comings of what would become of a negative Utopia or “dystopia”, which is the driving force behind Huxley’s message in the novel. Bernard’s physical difference would be the sole cause of his rejection to society and would make him one of Huxley’s leading characters in the story.
“Everything can be taken away from a man or a woman but one thing: the last of human freedoms to choose one 's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one 's own way.” This quote stated by Victor E. Frankl, demonstrates the perfect example of what has been stripped from the people in Huxley’s society. In order for a man to earn a genuine free life, he must experience pain and suffering. “A man without anguish is a man without a soul, and Huxley’s future describes a world without pain and a world without a soul.” Bernard Marx is an individual that longs for freedom yet is conditioned accept his position in life. Throughout the story Bernard is shown to be someone that is out casted from the society because he looks and acts different. An example of this would be when Fanny says “they say somebody made a mistake when he was still in the bottle-thought he was a Gamma and put alcohol into his blood surrogate. That’s why he’s so stunted” (Huxley page 46). Bernard is not socially accepted amongst the other caste members in society because he does not share equal interest in such things like Obstacle Golf and soma. Even when Bernard has had an intimate moment with another person, he still feels
“Everything can be taken away from a man or a woman but one thing: the last of human freedoms to choose one 's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one 's own way.” This quote stated by Victor E. Frankl, demonstrates the perfect example of what has been stripped from the people in Huxley’s society. In order for a man to earn a genuine free life, he must experience pain and suffering. “A man without anguish is a man without a soul, and Huxley’s future describes a world without pain and a world without a soul.” Bernard Marx is an individual that longs for freedom yet is conditioned accept his position in life. Throughout the story Bernard is shown to be someone that is out casted from the society because he looks and acts different. An example of this would be when Fanny says “they say somebody made a mistake when he was still in the bottle-thought he was a Gamma and put alcohol into his blood surrogate. That’s why he’s so stunted” (Huxley page 46). Bernard is not socially accepted amongst the other caste members in society because he does not share equal interest in such things like Obstacle Golf and soma. Even when Bernard has had an intimate moment with another person, he still feels