Brave New World #2

1. What could John stand for in Brave New World?
John is seen as a savage in the book. He is unable to resist his desires when he sees Lenina, "at once he was breathing Lenina's perfume, filling his lungs with her essential being" (Huxley 143). He is an outsider and cannot comprehend this different society he is placed in. John could represent one of us; if we were placed in a different society, we could not possibly comply with all of the rules. Knowing a different society causes a person to behave differently than everyone else. If we were put in Bernard's society, we would feel alienated watching everyone give up personal freedom because we are so used to the sense of total freedom.
2. Why does no one try to save Linda from her 'soma' vacation?
It seems that no one has a desire to see Linda anymore. She was disturbingly ugly to others, "you simply couldn't look at her without feeling sick" (Huxley 153). Everyone continues to let Linda take large doses of soma, or medication, and they realize she will be dead in a month or two. Everyone seems to be alright with Linda traveling on this short path to death except for John. John knows it will kill her, but John cannot do so much as raise a finger to object what everyone else wishes. Perhaps Linda's drugged-up death represents what Mustapha Mond said, "History is bunk" (Huxley 32). You cannot concentrate on the past, you must be concerned with the future. Leaving behind Linda is like disregarding the past. To advance forward, you must stop holding on to the past.
3. Why does does the author quote Shakespeare in the book so often?
Shakespeare is a well known poet who explores many known thoughts and emotions humans can relate to. In Brave New World, the society Bernard and John live in is so controlling and manipulative, it seems contrasting to use Shakespeares words. These deeply emotional writings are just the things that Bernard's society wants to abolish. The persistence of Shakepeare's quotes could represent the persistence of the human race; you can try to completely outlaw or govern something, but eventually people will find a way to rebel.