Page 259: "South-south-wet, south, south-east, east..."
Thank the good Lord! I'm done! And very confused. What happened at the end? Is John dead? How did the people discover his location? What I got from this book was that in this Society, an average person would go crazy. John just couldn't take it and he snapped. This was a good book, and I enjoyed it fr the most part. I hope that through class discussions, I can get my questions answered.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Brave New World - 19
Page 206: "'Can't you behave?' she said in a low, angry voice."
This quote immediately caught my attention. This is very weird. Reading this quote now, I fully believe that this society is messed up. Even if you're around death a lot, it is sick to ask someone to behave after another has died. I hope to God that this never happens in the future. From reading this book, I now see the harm of genetic engineering. Once a normal human entered the Society, the cons about it began to show. John is angry and now revolting. I have a feeling that the end of this book will be very interesting.
This quote immediately caught my attention. This is very weird. Reading this quote now, I fully believe that this society is messed up. Even if you're around death a lot, it is sick to ask someone to behave after another has died. I hope to God that this never happens in the future. From reading this book, I now see the harm of genetic engineering. Once a normal human entered the Society, the cons about it began to show. John is angry and now revolting. I have a feeling that the end of this book will be very interesting.
Brave New World - 18
Page 185: "He laughed and laughed till the tears streamed down his face - quenchlessly laughed while, pale with a sense of outrage, the Savage looked at him over the top of his book and then, as the laughter still continued, closed it indignantly, got up and, with the gesture of one who removes his pearl from before swine, locked it away in its drawer."
Aha! Mrs. Sander would be so proud of me right now. In fact, I'm very proud of myself. I'm kind of amazed too. I've spotted an allusion that we covered in class last year. Pearl before swine is an alusion which means that one shouldn't share his riches with another who isn't grateful and worthy of them. Here, it is talking about John putting his book away. He did because Watson obviously didn't appreciate the story. He couldn't comprehend it. So as a result, he laughed at it which caused John to put it away in a drawer.
Aha! Mrs. Sander would be so proud of me right now. In fact, I'm very proud of myself. I'm kind of amazed too. I've spotted an allusion that we covered in class last year. Pearl before swine is an alusion which means that one shouldn't share his riches with another who isn't grateful and worthy of them. Here, it is talking about John putting his book away. He did because Watson obviously didn't appreciate the story. He couldn't comprehend it. So as a result, he laughed at it which caused John to put it away in a drawer.
Brave New World - 17
Page 160: "O brave new world that has such people in it."
In my last blog I said that John used the title of the book in his dialogue. He used it again, so I decided to use it as an example. This quote expresses John's amazement of the Society. He is gawked in this place rather than being shunned in the other. He enjoys this world. It is a new experience for him. I do have a question though. Who is Miranda? He has spoken about her, and Bernard doesn't know who she is either.
In my last blog I said that John used the title of the book in his dialogue. He used it again, so I decided to use it as an example. This quote expresses John's amazement of the Society. He is gawked in this place rather than being shunned in the other. He enjoys this world. It is a new experience for him. I do have a question though. Who is Miranda? He has spoken about her, and Bernard doesn't know who she is either.
Brave New World - 16
Page 144: "It hung there trembling, within an inch of those limp fingers, on the verge of contact."
This is getting weird. It is now obvious to me that these cultures are extremely different. John would not even lay a finger on Lenina. It seemed that she was almost sacred to him. Lenina had the sam, yet opposite attitude to her. She was almost afraid of him and she wouldn't touch them either. Also, my earlier prediction is looking good. Bernard does have a revolting mind and since the Director is sending him to Iceland, he wants to humiliate him by bringing his son back home. He also brings Linda with him because she is also revolting. In addition, John used the title of the book in his dialogue. I caught it!
This is getting weird. It is now obvious to me that these cultures are extremely different. John would not even lay a finger on Lenina. It seemed that she was almost sacred to him. Lenina had the sam, yet opposite attitude to her. She was almost afraid of him and she wouldn't touch them either. Also, my earlier prediction is looking good. Bernard does have a revolting mind and since the Director is sending him to Iceland, he wants to humiliate him by bringing his son back home. He also brings Linda with him because she is also revolting. In addition, John used the title of the book in his dialogue. I caught it!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Brave New World - 15
Page 136: "He had discovered Time and Death and God."
Again I have to ask what just happened? Was that a life story of John? And who were all those characters? Was it all just to confuse me? And how did he discover Time, Death, and God? And why are Time and Death capitalized? Hopefully there will be some significance to those anecdotes from John's life. For now I'm just happy that it has returned to the main plot and I see familiar characters again.
Again I have to ask what just happened? Was that a life story of John? And who were all those characters? Was it all just to confuse me? And how did he discover Time, Death, and God? And why are Time and Death capitalized? Hopefully there will be some significance to those anecdotes from John's life. For now I'm just happy that it has returned to the main plot and I see familiar characters again.
Brave New World - 14
Page 132: "A man can smile and smile and be a villain."
When I read this sentence I immediately thought of our society today. There are so many fake people who just use their smile and personality to get by people. Not everyone is fake though. Most people are genuine and real. However, there is that small populaton of people who might not be who you think they are. Here, John is talking about Pope (pretend the "e" has an accent). Just because a person looks and acts kind doesn't mean that is who they really are. There is a saying that says "you can't judge a book by it's cover." To me that is what this quote means.
When I read this sentence I immediately thought of our society today. There are so many fake people who just use their smile and personality to get by people. Not everyone is fake though. Most people are genuine and real. However, there is that small populaton of people who might not be who you think they are. Here, John is talking about Pope (pretend the "e" has an accent). Just because a person looks and acts kind doesn't mean that is who they really are. There is a saying that says "you can't judge a book by it's cover." To me that is what this quote means.
Brave New World - 13
Page 125: "He said the stuff in the gourd was called mescal; but Linda said it ought to be called soma; only it made you feel ill afterwards."
Finally, I think I have figured out what mescal and soma is. I believe that mescal is alcohol and soma is some drug. Through context clues I have figured it out. Mescal was described as a liquid that looked like water but smelled bad and burned. It was also said that mescal made you feel ill afterwards. Soma was described to do the same as mescal but not make you ill. The items are very similar. It makes sense now because whenever Lenina would take soma she would act different. She would also see things and take an approach to them differently.
Finally, I think I have figured out what mescal and soma is. I believe that mescal is alcohol and soma is some drug. Through context clues I have figured it out. Mescal was described as a liquid that looked like water but smelled bad and burned. It was also said that mescal made you feel ill afterwards. Soma was described to do the same as mescal but not make you ill. The items are very similar. It makes sense now because whenever Lenina would take soma she would act different. She would also see things and take an approach to them differently.
Brave New World - 12
Pages 113-116: "But a little later it was...into the nether world."
After reading this I have but one question: what in the world just happened? From drummers to wild snakes, I can't tell what that was. I believe it was a native ritual but I cannot be sure. At first I thought it was Christian because it mentioned the sign of the cross. It also mentioned a man nailed to a cross. In addition, why does Lenina seem sick whenever she sees viviparous living taking place around her. Was that taught to her in her sleep too or is it something else? She takes soma everytime something bothers her. And what the heck is soma?!
After reading this I have but one question: what in the world just happened? From drummers to wild snakes, I can't tell what that was. I believe it was a native ritual but I cannot be sure. At first I thought it was Christian because it mentioned the sign of the cross. It also mentioned a man nailed to a cross. In addition, why does Lenina seem sick whenever she sees viviparous living taking place around her. Was that taught to her in her sleep too or is it something else? She takes soma everytime something bothers her. And what the heck is soma?!
Brave New World - 11
Page 97: "...the social body persists although the component cells may change."
This quote grabbed my attention immediately after I read it. I have my own interpretation of what this quote means. To me this quote means that as your body may grow, your personality may not. I have friends that this quote applies to. However, I also know others who this quote does not apply to, and their personalities have changed as they have. I think this quote rings true throughout the story. People are bred to not socially change as they age. They repeat the same cycle everyday in the Community.
This quote grabbed my attention immediately after I read it. I have my own interpretation of what this quote means. To me this quote means that as your body may grow, your personality may not. I have friends that this quote applies to. However, I also know others who this quote does not apply to, and their personalities have changed as they have. I think this quote rings true throughout the story. People are bred to not socially change as they age. They repeat the same cycle everyday in the Community.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Brave New World - 10
Page 80: "The President made another sign of the T and sat down. The service had begun."
I could not pass this situation up. This is getting extremely weird. Sign of the T? Service? This is obviously symbolism of the Catholic mass. Also, instead of the Body and Blood, there are somas. This reinforces my thought earlier of thinking of Ford as a god. In the book, it is Ford Day. They sing to him and praise him. But one of my questions still remains fresh in my mind. Who exactly is Ford and why i he such a big deal in this strange society?
I could not pass this situation up. This is getting extremely weird. Sign of the T? Service? This is obviously symbolism of the Catholic mass. Also, instead of the Body and Blood, there are somas. This reinforces my thought earlier of thinking of Ford as a god. In the book, it is Ford Day. They sing to him and praise him. But one of my questions still remains fresh in my mind. Who exactly is Ford and why i he such a big deal in this strange society?
Brave New World - 9
Page 75: "'Yes, everybody's happy now,' echoed Lenina. They had heard the words repeated a hundred and fifty times every night for twelve years."
Again I would've wished to have read more before I blogged next in order to spread them out a little more but I could not pass this up. When I read this, I began to think. Are these people really happy, or are they just taught to be? After all, I had been wondering who could be happy in this society. How could one be happy when they are taught to dislike other groups of people? So this society is filled with fake happiness. It makes sense now. How could one be happy in a society where everything is controlled? It did not make sense.
Again I would've wished to have read more before I blogged next in order to spread them out a little more but I could not pass this up. When I read this, I began to think. Are these people really happy, or are they just taught to be? After all, I had been wondering who could be happy in this society. How could one be happy when they are taught to dislike other groups of people? So this society is filled with fake happiness. It makes sense now. How could one be happy in a society where everything is controlled? It did not make sense.
Brave New World - 8
Page 70: "'Words can be like X-rays, if you use them properly-they'll go through anything.'"
Helmholtz Watson's simile here made me think. It made me think because it is true. If you are a good speaker, and can put words in good sequence, you can change people. An example is Martin Luther King, Jr. He was such a good speaker. In the years that he vote for racial justice, he changed a lot of people's opinions on the subject and made it a hotly debated topic. Political candidates today are very good speakers. In order to be elected, you must be a thorough and persuasive speaker. Huxley's simile is very effective and thought-provoking.
Helmholtz Watson's simile here made me think. It made me think because it is true. If you are a good speaker, and can put words in good sequence, you can change people. An example is Martin Luther King, Jr. He was such a good speaker. In the years that he vote for racial justice, he changed a lot of people's opinions on the subject and made it a hotly debated topic. Political candidates today are very good speakers. In order to be elected, you must be a thorough and persuasive speaker. Huxley's simile is very effective and thought-provoking.
Brave New World - 7
Page 67: "A mental excess had produced in Hemholtz Watson effects very similar to those which, in Bernard Marx, were the result of a physical defect."
This quote stood out to me for some reason. After thinking about it, I realized why it had stood out so much. The thoughts that these men are having are normal thoughts. Everything about this book so far has been different and seeing something normal mentioned stood out to me. Even though it may not be a big part of the story now, it could turn out to have an impact later. These thoughts could get revolutionary and these men could turn against the system. I can also relate to these thoughts. I am above average height and I also sometimes wonder 'why me?' However I can use my religion to say that God made me the way I am. The people in the book must try to blame their different features on science.
This quote stood out to me for some reason. After thinking about it, I realized why it had stood out so much. The thoughts that these men are having are normal thoughts. Everything about this book so far has been different and seeing something normal mentioned stood out to me. Even though it may not be a big part of the story now, it could turn out to have an impact later. These thoughts could get revolutionary and these men could turn against the system. I can also relate to these thoughts. I am above average height and I also sometimes wonder 'why me?' However I can use my religion to say that God made me the way I am. The people in the book must try to blame their different features on science.
Brave New World - 6
Pages 47-55: "'Or the Caste System'...down the corridor to the lift."
Again I am a little confused. My main question is why did Huxley orchestrate 3 conversations at once? He also intertwined them a little. This made it hard to decipher who was talking and what they were talking about. One answer to my question may be to illustrate that these discussions were happening simultaneously. However, I believe that there is more than that. I do not know what it is but I believe there was a reason for Huxley to write the way he did. I had to reread this section of the book to clear up who was talking and what they were talking about.
Again I am a little confused. My main question is why did Huxley orchestrate 3 conversations at once? He also intertwined them a little. This made it hard to decipher who was talking and what they were talking about. One answer to my question may be to illustrate that these discussions were happening simultaneously. However, I believe that there is more than that. I do not know what it is but I believe there was a reason for Huxley to write the way he did. I had to reread this section of the book to clear up who was talking and what they were talking about.
Brave New World - 5
Page 42: "The machine turns, turns and must keep on turning - forever. It is death if it stands still."
Here I noticed a literary term being used. I noticed an example of symbolism. In this quote, the machine is life, and when the machine turns, people are living. However, when the machine stops, people die. Also, when the machine keeps turning and picking up momentum, people start to grow. They also start to multiply and population increases. There must be people to look after the wheels, and these people are high ranking officials that make sure the machine doesn't go off course. If it does then people stop growing and some begin to die. This process represents a community and how it can grow over time.
Here I noticed a literary term being used. I noticed an example of symbolism. In this quote, the machine is life, and when the machine turns, people are living. However, when the machine stops, people die. Also, when the machine keeps turning and picking up momentum, people start to grow. They also start to multiply and population increases. There must be people to look after the wheels, and these people are high ranking officials that make sure the machine doesn't go off course. If it does then people stop growing and some begin to die. This process represents a community and how it can grow over time.
Brave New World - 4
Page 34: "One of the ten . . . and he sat down on the bench with the D.H.C., he was going to stay, to stay, yes, and actually talk to them . . . straight from the horse's mouth. Straight from the mouth of Ford himself."
I was going to read more before my next blog but I could not help but notice repetition taking place in the story. The phrase "straight from the horse's mouth" has been stated on multiple occasions in the story. Usually, it is said when the boys are transcribing every word that comes out of the Director's mouth, but now it is used for the Controller here. Now I am confused. I got even more confused when the story said that something was coming "straight from the mouth of Ford himself." Is the controller a genetic clone of Ford?" Why is the Controller even there? What regions of the world do the other 9 Controllers oversee? Hopefully my questions will be answered in the novel soon.
I was going to read more before my next blog but I could not help but notice repetition taking place in the story. The phrase "straight from the horse's mouth" has been stated on multiple occasions in the story. Usually, it is said when the boys are transcribing every word that comes out of the Director's mouth, but now it is used for the Controller here. Now I am confused. I got even more confused when the story said that something was coming "straight from the mouth of Ford himself." Is the controller a genetic clone of Ford?" Why is the Controller even there? What regions of the world do the other 9 Controllers oversee? Hopefully my questions will be answered in the novel soon.
Brave New World - 3
Pages 30-31: "'Strange,' mused the Director, as they turned away, 'strange to think that even in Our Ford's day most games were played without more apparatus than a ball or two and a few sticks and perhaps a bit of netting.'"
I cannot help but stop here and try to figure something out. Who is "Our Ford?!" Finally, after I digressed in my reading, I think that I have an idea. In an earlier page, Ford was connected to the Model T, which was the first car ever invented. So I think that "Our Ford" is actually Henry Ford. But why Henry Ford? He seems really random right now. However, I believe that the community may for some reason idolize this man and think of him almost as a god. I'm not quite sure why though. It may be because he was a great engineer, or there may be another reason. I am interested to see the part that Ford plays in the rest of the novel.
I cannot help but stop here and try to figure something out. Who is "Our Ford?!" Finally, after I digressed in my reading, I think that I have an idea. In an earlier page, Ford was connected to the Model T, which was the first car ever invented. So I think that "Our Ford" is actually Henry Ford. But why Henry Ford? He seems really random right now. However, I believe that the community may for some reason idolize this man and think of him almost as a god. I'm not quite sure why though. It may be because he was a great engineer, or there may be another reason. I am interested to see the part that Ford plays in the rest of the novel.
Brave New World - 2
Pages 20-21: "The nurses stiffened to attention...howling suddenly increased."
This situation takes place in the "Neo-Pavlovian Conditioning Rooms." I noticed 'Pavlov' in the word 'Pavlovian' so I thought of Pavlov's dog. I then made the connection of Pavlov's dog to the experiment that takes place in this room. When the babies started to touch the roses and books, the Director had a din noise played while shocking the infants. I think he did this because the babies are apart of Delta. Now whenever these children see roses and books, they will turn away because they are frightened. I believe the Director did this because the plan that he has for thse babies' futures does not involve anything with books or roses. This is apart of his perfect society where he chooses where his genetically engineered babies will end up.
This situation takes place in the "Neo-Pavlovian Conditioning Rooms." I noticed 'Pavlov' in the word 'Pavlovian' so I thought of Pavlov's dog. I then made the connection of Pavlov's dog to the experiment that takes place in this room. When the babies started to touch the roses and books, the Director had a din noise played while shocking the infants. I think he did this because the babies are apart of Delta. Now whenever these children see roses and books, they will turn away because they are frightened. I believe the Director did this because the plan that he has for thse babies' futures does not involve anything with books or roses. This is apart of his perfect society where he chooses where his genetically engineered babies will end up.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Brave New World - 1
Page 4: "A troop of newly arrived students, very young, pink and callow, followed nervously, rather abjectly, at the Director's heels."
From this sentence, I made the assumption that the Director has authority over numerous people in this society. To me, the children seem very obediant, almost frightened of this man. They write down almost every word he says. Also, when Mr. Foster comes into the picture, he is also obediant. When the Director tells him to state a fact, he willingly does so. He is described as a tall, thin man who is most likely intimidating. It has not been said however how much authority he has in this strange community. I am interested to see the role the Director plays in this novel as the plot unfolds.
From this sentence, I made the assumption that the Director has authority over numerous people in this society. To me, the children seem very obediant, almost frightened of this man. They write down almost every word he says. Also, when Mr. Foster comes into the picture, he is also obediant. When the Director tells him to state a fact, he willingly does so. He is described as a tall, thin man who is most likely intimidating. It has not been said however how much authority he has in this strange community. I am interested to see the role the Director plays in this novel as the plot unfolds.
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