Brave New World final lesson

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Brave New World Final Lesson

19 January 2021

Content

The characters

The themes

The finale

I finished reading Brave New World

Yes

No

I think I understand what happened in Brave New World

Yes

No

How does BNW end?

1. John kills himself after an orgy
2. John moves into an abandoned building
3. John and Lenina live happily ever after
4. John kills Lenina, then himself - just like Othello

What was the name of the writer in BNW? (Not the writer OF!)

As sparknotes mentions, Helmholtz is a "foil". What does this mean?

Helmholtz

• Bernard's friend
• Alpha amongst Alphas
• Dislikes the World State for its emptiness

• Strong bond with John - also well-read and critical
• Clear cultural difference

Which item/part of clothing is mentioned most often in the novel?

1. Skirt
2. Trousers
3. Zipper
4. Shorts

Why do you think this is the case?

What word is used to describe Lenina, but also shoes, a sofa, seats in the cinema. What does it mean?

What can you experience in BNW cinema?

1. 3D
2. All senses
3. Create your own storyline
4. Video and sound. It's a cinema. Trick question.

What would you say is Bernard's main characteristic?

BERNARD

JOHN

“I want to know what passion is (...) I want to feel something strongly.”

The act of criticizing heightened his sense of importance, made him feel larger.

He was ashamed of his jealousy and (...)made efforts (...) to keep himself from feeling it.

[The feeling was] sublime [and] desperately important precisely because of (...) that which made them so fearful.

I’ll teach you. I’ll make you be free whether you want to or not.”

He was not worthy…not. Their eyes for a moment met. What treasures hers promised!

Bernard

• Weary of the world: wants to feel EXTREME POSITIVES
• Why?
• He is main character at start of novel. We experience WS through him.
• He changes
• And changes again...

What separates John and Bernard in their criticism of the World State?

John

Is afraid of his own desires and despises immorality

Does not care about others' opinions

Cannot see past his own culture

Cannot deal with vapid fame and becomes reclusive; mainly to curb his desires.

Bernard

Wants to be accepted and feels underappreciated

Rages at rumours about him

Cannot see past his own culture

Is happiest when "famous" and deemed successful and attractive

THEMES

1. If you look at a novel critically, what does the author stress most?
2. If you think about it, who do we see and whose opinions do we hear?
3. Are they representative for the environment as a whole?
4. How is the status quo described?
   

1. The plot is about people who disagree w/ World State
2. We see people who disagree and we see their actions and their thoughts -- most citizens are extras in the story; the mindless masses
3. Nope. They are intelligent, know about the world outside the 'normal' paradigm.
4. These are discussed ironically.

A moralist:

a person who tries to force or teach other people to behave in ways he or she considers to be most correct and honest

Looking at the plot, themes and characters, do you think the author of BNW is a moralist?

YUP

NOPE

BMW 318i

What is this about?

Slowly, very slowly, like two unhurried compass needles, the (...) turned towards the right; north, north-east, east, south-east, south, south-south-west; then paused, and, after a few seconds, turned as unhurriedly back towards the left. South-south-west, south, south-east, east…

What was the previous quote about?

1. Helicopter ride
2. Description of a feelie
3. The Director's embarrassment
4. John's death

Who was the most free?

John the Savage

Bernard Marx

Lenina Crowne

Helmholtz Watson

Mustapha Mond

Moral compass?

What was the right thing to do?

Remain loyal to traditional values?

Transform into immoral WS inhabitant?