Bernard Marx In Brave New World

While we get the idea that Alpha men are broad shouldered, square jawed, and handsome, Bernard is not. He's very skinny, and only about as tall as a typical Gamma, a much lower caste. His short stature, caused by his decanting process, is ridiculed and as a result he feels isolated from the rest of society.

|supposedly had alcohol in his test tube when being created, Bernard. He is pretty much always miserable and self pitying. In this society, everyone belongs to everyone |

The character Bernard struggled with this because he was in love with a

Bernard was brought up knowing that hard work and effort will lead to success. With taking his father’s advice, Bernard makes sure that he is prepared for graduation. All of the time invested in school pays off when Bernard gains status as an important Lawyer later in life.

In the story, “Brave New World,” Bernard Marx changes throughout the story when he goes on a trip to a Savage Reservation in New Mexico with a Beta lady friend, Lenina Crowne. I feel he changes to look less of an outsider in his caste as an Alpha because of his short stature than other normal Alphas and being dissatisfied with the world. Bernard does not really change in a good way either. One change that happens is when he gains power over the Director of Hatcheries and Conditioning (D.H.C.) and Bernard becomes more superior. Secondly, his relationship with Helmholtz gets damaged and lastly, Bernard starts to give in to the society’s ways when he was not satisfied them in the first place.

Often individuals choose to conform to society, rather than pursue personal desires because it is often easier to follow the path others have made already, rather than create a new one. In the novel Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, this conflict is explored. Huxley starts the story by introducing Bernard Marx, the protagonist of the story, who is unhappy with himself, because of the way he interacts with other members of society. As the story progresses, the author suggests that, like soma, individuals can be kept content with giving them small pleasure over short periods of time. Thus, it is suggested in the book that if individuals would conform to their society’s norms, their lives would become much

You wait for them to ask you. And if they don’t…you act unconcerned.” (Dorris, 18). Bernard’s mother gives a full explanation on how to act when he is being judged by Marie’s mother, Blanche, and her sister. In past society, it is the role of the bride to impress her future in-laws by showing the family that she can cook, clean, and carry out all household duties. However, in this case, Bernard is taught what to say and how to react when he goes hunting. From this, it can be seen that his masculine personality is in question as he must listen to whatever anyone tells him. His rights of speaking and committing actions are prohibited as he must show respect and humbleness towards his future in-laws. Moreover, he must respect his family’s tradition and culture by not speaking or raising an voice to people. As time progresses, Bernard matures and realizes that he must carry out his family traditions and must be selected by Blanche. He compliments Blanche’s food as a teaching to impress her. He says “This is wonderful…The best I’ve ever tasted. What cooks are you. But you are too generous. Let me put some back in the pot.” (Dorris, 21). This exemplifies how Bernard decides to mature as a person by knowing what to say without his mother’s teachings. He begins to value his culture and traditions by complimenting Blanche on the food and showing proper etiquette when eating. Through this, it is portrayed that men in the society

Helmholtz and Bernard are both very intelligent individuals and are different from the other Alphas. They both feel like they are outsiders and are unhappy with how the community is. Bernard is considered an “outsider” because of his physical appearance, he is not attractive like the other Alphas in society and is not respected by the lower castes when given orders. Bernard says, “I am I, and I wish I wasn’t” (Huxley, 64). From this statement one can infer that Bernard is unhappy with his placement and feels like a social outcast. Unlike Bernard, Helmholtz is extremely attractive and, “...looked...every centimetre an Alpha Plus” (Huxley, 66-67). Helmholtz works with Emotional Engineering and feels that his writing could be used for greater

P144 "What should have been the crowning moment of Bernard's whole career had turned out to be the moment of his greatest humiliation." He had tried to elevate himself, to become accepted in a society that shunned him, by using the savage, but it had backfired and therefore the reader can sympathise. Not only had he lost the respect of his peers and fellow Alphas, but also he had lost the respect of someone who was, in many ways, so similar to him. Bernard can be pitied immensely for his ability to sense, see and appreciate things of beauty and as he could value and enjoy his

When Bernard is exiled to Iceland he is unhappy and decides to go the reservation even when told he shouldn’t. When in London his popularity increases and takes advantage of his new status. He used his new status to get to women, but those women were promised that they would get to meet John through knowing Bernard. Also with being exiled Bernard becomes more independent and individualized. “And then he spends most of his time by himself—alone." There was horror in Fanny's voice.”(pg 35) This is the beginning of where Bernard’s defining feature is a downfall and a virtue. It defines his virtue because it makes an individual to be alone. It’s also a downfall because it makes him insecure and manipulative to John.

            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

“With eyes for the most part downcast and, if ever they lighted on a fellow creature, at once and furtively averted, Bernard hastened across the roof. He was like a man pursued, but pursued by enemies he does not wish to see, lest they should seem more hostile even than he had supposed, and he himself be made to feel guiltier and even more helplessly alone.” (63)

A Brave New World contains numerous well-developed and complex characters, yet the most compelling one, by far, is Bernard Marx. While not likable, per say, Bernard’s characterization and development are very thought-provoking and intricate. From his introduction to the novel, Bernard stands out in the midst of the monotonous World State. Much like his namesake, Karl Marx, Bernard too finds himself at conflict with society, though the nature of his conflict shifts as the novel progresses.

Bernard tries explaining how he wants to be free, have his own individuality, and have his own ability to think and feel; not like everyone else, but like himself. He also explains how he wants to be happy, truly happy. He feels that in the World State, and because of his conditioning, this can never happen. Lenina’s response enables the audience to see how much she’s been brainwashed, showing how powerful the state is.

The way the men speak of the women disgusts Bernard; they act as if the women are pieces of meat. Both men from both novels have some sort of physical flaw that outcasts them from the rest of the people. Bernard is shorter than most and Jonas has unusual eyes.