Journal 2 - Brave New World In chapters 8 and 9 of Brave New World, the backstory of John’s growth within the Savage Reservation, as well as Linda’s lifestyle is explored. John’s upbringing within the village is filled with conflict and discrimination which is largely brought upon by his mother being a former citizen of the World State. The lifestyle and values that Linda is used to, causes the rest of the village to despise her and John, and treat them as outsiders: “In the strange other words they said that Linda was bad; they called her names he did not understand, but that he knew they were bad names” (111). Linda’s lack of knowledge in basic skills such as weaving, as well as her promiscuity and ignorance of the village’s values, causes …show more content…
Through the discrimination of Linda and her constant attacks by the other women, John emphasizes his resolve to protect her, and he develops a hatred for the men who visit her as well as the women in the village. John holds Linda very dear to him, and is the only figure that he truly loves and cares for, which is only somewhat reciprocated by Linda as she dreads being a mother in the first place. Despite this, John receives a large majority of his learning from Linda and the village elders. While he learns practical skills such as pottery as well as religion from the elders, he learns reading – one of the most important skills – from his mother. Reading becomes one of the fundamental traits of his character, and it is through learning how to read that he begins to read and enjoy works from Shakespeare: “But now he had these words, these words like drums and singing and magic” (114). John constantly recites passages from Shakespeare throughout the novel, and he uses those passages to express how he is feeling as well as the situation he is in. Although Linda is a negligent and clueless mother, the knowledge that she teaches to John proves more fundamental to his life …show more content…
Parents are able to teach their children basic, but very important and fundamental practical skills, which could be used throughout their whole life. These skills, which can include cooking and laundry, are usually taught by parents to insure that their children are able to live on their own in the future, and that they can take care of themselves. As well, these skills can be viewed as training for their child’s independence, and they serve to prepare children for functioning lifestyles. Other important lessons that parents may teach to their children, are the importance of moral values and principles. Very early on, parents are able to demonstrate choices that are morally right and wrong in terms of society’s standards, and these values are carried by the children throughout their whole life. The knowledge that parents may teach to their children ultimately shape the people they grow up to be. On the other hand, learning from friends is equally as or even more important than teachings from parents. Unlike how parents teach their children, an individual learning from peers is much more immersive and impactful. An individual is able to experience lessons first hand, and the teachings that they may take away from these social events in their life, they will keep forever. A parent may teach their child how to be high functioning and morally