Idealism In Brave New World

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley depicts a dystopian future in which the people are controlled and conditioned to accept their predestined positions and lives. Among the novel's protagonists, one of the most idealistic is John the Savage, who romanticized the world due to his exposure to Shakespearean literature. Throughout the work, John's idealism has both great and harmful effects, and Huxley utilizes John's character to show the perils of blindly following idealistic views. John's idealism stems from his admiration for Shakespeare and his faith in the ability of writing to elevate the human soul. The childhood advancement of John on the Savage Reservation strongly shapes his idealistic beliefs of the World State, which consequently impacts

Bernard Marx is first drawn to John as a means of boosting his status within the World State's structure, seeing an opportunity to set himself apart from all his peers. However, as John's power develops, Bernard's objectives become clearer, and the two become increasingly at conflict. When confronted with his shallow interest in John, Bernard concedes, "It's true. I'm envious of you… I'm glad you're an outsider too. We're so conditioned to believe that no one can be happy unless he's… well, ordinary" (Huxley, Chapter 8). The conversation illustrates Bernard's underlying intentions and his personal discontent with the World State's society's constraints. Similarly, Lenina Crowne is first intrigued by John's physical looks, seeing him as an appealing and exotic "savage." She is captivated by his passion and intensity as she spends more time with him, admiring his emotional depth and capacity for love. When John confronts Lenina about her limited understanding of love, she is compelled to confront her own indoctrination and principles. She realizes, when she contemplates her relationship with John, that "she wished she had her soma" (Huxley, Chapter 13). This scene demonstrates Lenina's conditioning's limitations as well as the challenge of balancing her wants with the constraints of World State