How Does John Savage Create A Foil To Civilized Society

Foiling Utopia When one stands out in a crowd, does it reflect more on the individual or on the crowd? Does morality matter if only one person is moral? John Savage’s very naturalistic character and experiences, his use of Shakespeare, his blatant opposition to the values of the World State, and his own unique values and morals set him apart from society. In Aldous Huxley’s 1932 novel Brave New World, John is cast as a foil to civilized society allowing Huxley to criticize the World State satirically.

John’s character is overtly human, so his idea of normal is ordinary to the reader, but outlandish to the characters of the World State. Shortly after meeting John, Bernard is in awe of John’s lifestyle: “‘A mother, and all this dirt, and Gods,

For example, when he is first introduced, he expresses his wish to take part in the whipping ceremony (Huxley 117). He is exhibiting his willingness to suffer, and even enthusiasm to do so as he sees it as noble and important. Lenina and Bernard, however, are perplexed at his enthusiasm because they can not see the point in suffering. Another clear contrast between John’s values and those of society is when he tries to prove his worthiness to Lenina by offering to sweep the floor or do some unnecessary task. Lenina is unable to comprehend why he would possibly do that when it is unnecessary work (Huxley190). Huxley portrays John’s humbleness to make him admirable to the reader, but then frustrates them by contrasting Lenina’s obtuseness. The point John makes is that the action is unnecessary but that is why it is noble. Going out of one’s way to do something for another person shows depth of feeling and character as it is a form of sacrifice for that person. Lenina’s lack of understanding shows that she, an exemplar of World State ideals, is not capable of nobility. The difference in the values of John and of the Lenina is also demonstrated by the opposite ways that she and John feel about sex. She, upon finding out that John loves her, essentially tries to rape him. He resists and eventually violently pushes her away,calling her a whore (Huxley194). To Lenina, it is assumed that she and John would have sex because they have mutual feelings for each other. But to John, it is almost a guarantee that they would not, at least until they are married. Their values are purposely exaggerated, with Lenina’s being the generally more frowned-upon, especially at the time the novel was written. Therefore the reader sees John as extremely virtuous and Lenina as, perhaps, extremely whorish. At the end of the novel John makes the realization that