Bernard Marx Brave New World Analysis

Bernard Marx’s dislike for the oppressive World State is solely superficial. His outrage stems from his own personal sense of injustice- although he is an Alpha, he is an outsider. Emotionally, Bernard is an enigma to others. Physically, Bernard is thin and small; a complete juxtaposition to the other Alphas. These physical and emotional defects are the root of his feelings of separation to society, and his value of individualism and non-conformity. This point is exemplified on page 56, which explains ‘The mockery made him feel an outsider; and feeling an outsider he behaved like one, which increased the prejudice against him and intensified the contempt and hostility aroused by his physical defects. Which in turn increased his sense of being alien and

During a drug-induced frenzy, John is pulled into an orgy and does not realize his misdeeds until after he awakens. As he slowly becomes aware of what has taken place, John “Then suddenly remembered everything …’Oh, my God, my God!’” (Huxley 259). At this point, realizing that he will never be free from a society that he abhors, John decides to hang himself. The young man cannot bear to take part in this corrupt society. John would rather not live, than live in a world that does not allow for freedom of thought and

Bernard Marx’s physique is “hardly better than the average Gamma” (57). He is “eight centimeters” (57) shorter than a standard male of his caste. Marx shows immense hostility towards other members of the alpha plus assembly. Mentioning it as a sore reminder of his “physical inadequacy” (57). Other members of the world state often cite the possibility of alcohol having been put “into his blood-surrogate” (41) as a justification towards his underdeveloped growth. The mockery and “practical jokes” (58) put fourth by the men and woman make Bernard feel like “an outsider” (58) and make his “self-consciousness…acute and distressing” (57). Bernard is envious toward other members of his ladder. Men whose

“The Director paused; then, folding his arms, he turned impressively to Bernard. ‘Marx,’ he said, ‘can you show any reason why I should not now excite the judgment passed upon you? ‘Yes I can,’ Bernard answered in a very loud voice.” (Huxley, 127),

In conclusion, Bernard is interested in pursuing his personal desires, instead of conforming to society because he doesn’t like the way society is and what it is restricting people from.

When John was led back into life in the futuristic society, he was mocked and treat as a strange attraction. He was at the awful end of a sick joke - people came from all over to understand this simple “savage” who has spent his life in curiously primitive manners. John was so poorly received, he went as far as wanting to commit

John pushes against the society’s standards. He is against taking soma, a drug that puts you are peace and goes against the social means. John takes the soma from workers at the hospital receiving their pay. “’Free, free!’ the Savage shouted, and with one hand continued to throw the soma into the area while, with the other, he punched the indistinguishable faces of his assailants. ‘Free!’ And suddenly there was Helmholtz at his side —‘Good old Helmholtz!’—also punching—‘Men at last!’—and in the interval also throwing the poison out by handfuls through the open window. ‘Yes, men! men!’ and there was no more poison left. He picked up the cash-box and showed them its black emptiness. ‘You're free’” (213). John hates people taking soma because it takes away their freedom, which keeps them from thinking and speaking freely. He continues to fight the system when he isolates himself at the lighthouse because he is so against the World State. He ends up not wanting to be in the world. He hangs himself to show everyone how messed up it is and prove himself to the world controllers.

‘I’d rather be myself,’ he said. ‘Myself and nasty. Not somebody else, however jolly.’ (Huxley 60). Bernard is initially upset with something that his society does to maintain consistent satisfaction: the use of soma, a drug that instills ecstasy within its user without the inconvenient drawbacks of normal drug/alcohol usage. He is afflicted by the fact that one would use soma to essentially ignore their problems and “fake” their emotions. This dissatisfaction carries on with his viewpoint on how his society treats women, “‘Talking about her as though she were a bit of meat.’ Bernard ground his teeth. ‘Have her here, have her there.’ Like mutton. Degrading her to so much mutton” (Huxley 33). As a rule, “everyone belongs to everyone”, and Bernard believes women are treated disgracefully and only for the use of sexual pleasure. This also contributes as “laughing instead of thinking” that afflicts him, as well as, finally, the thrill of pastimes as an everyday activity outside of work, compared to individualist hobbies and mental activities (discussion): “Then what about a round of Electro-magnetic Golf at St. Andrew’s? But again, no: Bernard considered that Electro-magnetic Golf was a waste of time. ‘Then what’s time for?’ asked Lenina in some astonishment. Apparently, for going walks in the Lake District; for that was what he now proposed...‘Alone with you, Lenina.’ ‘But,

Bernard Marx, one of the central characters who is an Alpha Plus but ashamed of his outlook. From his private thoughts, he has the desire to fight the system and become a popular person. His low self esteem makes him feel that he has the need to yell at the Epsilons to protect his dignity as an Alpha Plus. Even if Marx 's inner thoughts shows that he is a rebellious and indignant person, his actions show otherwise. Because of his unsatisfiable sexual desires and low self-esteem, he criticizes everyone. But the irony is that the ones he criticize are those he most desire to become. He loathes John for his barbaric characteristics. Yet, Marx has to use the "Savage" to maintain his popularity. Marx is trapped in a world which he tried so hard but failed to fit in. From his imagination, he fought his boss. But in reliality, he begged to not to be send to an island and blamed the fault to John and Watson. He critizes Lenina for taking soma. Yet, he

Bernard Marx is an alpha male who doesn’t feel that he is appreciated in society. He is disconnected from everyone in World State. Also, the surname Marx remind us of Karl Marx, who was one of the

Bernard Marx is an upper class Alpha who constantly struggles being different from the rest of the Alphas, and, in the beginning, tries to find a way to become more popular. By the end of the novel, Marx has come to terms with the society which he had first seemed to dislike. Marx meets a woman called Lenina Crowne, and they both travel to a savage reservation. There, Marx and Lenina meet John the savage and his mother Linda. Linda is originally from the civilized world and became pregnant which, in that society, is illegal and was sent to Reservation herself. Once brought back to the New World, John soon found the differences between the two worlds to great. All his values and morals clashed with those of the new society. It turns out, John was the only sane person left. He didn't understand how the citizens lived the way they did, with no morals or values. There, he struggled for his right to think freely. To be happy, to be sad, to be mad, to

            Bernard Marx was alienated in the Brave New World because of his general appearance. As an Alpha Plus, Bernard was unusually short and ugly. Suggested by Fanny, Bernard's condition resulted from an error when he was still in a bottle, the workers

John is an antagonist of the story. He feels he is doing his wife good; by locking her away in this mansion. However, the reader soon realizes, this treatment is only worsening her mental state. He is never home with her; he always has patients to see in town, leaving her locked in this house; alone with her thoughts. He ensures that she gets rest and fresh air to get well. To him, it may seem as though he is doing his wife good; by locking her away in this mansion. However, this seclusion she experiences causes serious damage to her mental state. Her husband has control over her that women

John tries to change the framework of this brave new world based upon his values, but all his attempts opposing stability can’t be accepted and finally lead him to his death. Linda’s death marks a transition point of John’s life. Through this trauma, John experiences these citizens’ indifference. He can’t understand their callousness toward a real human’s death. Linda was his real mother, and he loved her very much. This kind of close relationship did not exist in the brave new world. Therefore, John can’t adopt citizens’ attitudes, and the citizens view him as a person who will destroy the status quo. This event affects John’s feelings and forces him to take a stand against the brave new world. Preventing soma distribution is his chance to confront this “enemy”. He thinks, “Linda had been a slave, Linda had died; others should live in freedom, and the world be made beautiful” (210). This reflection makes him consider a rebellion –

But Bernard isn't so handsome as the rest of his caste as he should be. Bernard is often lonely, odd, and spoken minded. “They say he doesn't like obstacle golf… and then he spends most of time by himself—-alone.” (Huxley, 45) Bernard is basically an outsider and does notify into his society. This is all due because of a mistake that occurred to Bernard.