Resident Controller (1 of 10 World Controllers)
He finds them of "sufficient scientific interest."
The process causes the fertilized eggs to split into identical genetic copies of the original (up to 96).
Only the lower castes (not Betas and Alphas).
Slough Crematorium --> the gases produced are treated and the phosphorus is then used for fertilizer. (How cool that dead citizens can be still useful!)
How are citizens conditioned to become consumers? Why would appreciating culture or nature be at odds with consumption?
Citizens of the World State do not question. "Ending is better than mending."
Explain the allegory that the Director makes using water under pressure in a pipe. How does it illustrate the danger of monogamy or other exclusive relationships?
What ceremony is John excluded from participating in? How does he respond to his exclusion?
What is the Director's reaction to seeing Linda & John? What causes an uproar of laughter from the workers?
"Pale, wild-eyed, the Director glared about him in an agony of bewildered humiliation."
John calling the D.H.C. his "father." This acts as comedic relief.
“Lying in bed, he would think of Heaven and London and Our Lady of Acoma and the rows and rows of babies in clean bottles and Jesus flying up and Linda flying up and the great Director of World Hatcheries and Awonawilona” (Ch 8).
What is the context of this quote? What does this passage help us understand about the character referenced?
What does Huxley mean when he compares hypnopædia to drops of sealing wax falling on granite? (as opposed to regular learning, which is like water on rocks?)
Water can wear holes in the hardest of granite; wax adheres to and becomes part of the rock. Sleep teaching is like the wax - until the mind IS the suggestion. Water takes a long time; wax is immediately gripping, and lasts forever (childhood into adulthood).
Miranda is a character in Shakespeare’s play, The Tempest. Explain why John might connect to her character.
Miranda was on an island with only her father and one other person (from ages 3-15). She does not know anything other than the island, just as John only knows the Reservation. (Also: Miranda instantly falls for Prince Ferdinand, and John instantly falls for Lenina).
What is John tempted to do when he finds Lenina sound asleep? Why does he stop?
“‘How many goodly creatures are there here! How beauteous mankind is!’ ... ‘O brave new world...John laughed, but for another reason--laughed for pure joy…’O brave new world,’ he repeated. ‘O brave new world that has such people in it” (Ch 8).
Explain the meaning of the quote. What is John referencing as the "brave" and "new" world? Why? Why do you think Huxley titled his novel "Brave New World"?