Chapter 12

Summary

The more John is exposed to Utopia, the more he fiercely defends his individuality.

He is tired of being a curiosity and he tells Bernard that he will not attend any more gatherings.

John reverts back to studying his book of Shakespeare’s works and in particular he enjoys reading from ‘Romeo and Juliet’, and contemplating the beauty of Lenina. 

Bernard goes to a scheduled meeting without his star, and he immediately upsets the assembly, and some of those there take the opportunity to resurrect Bernard’s previous misdemeanors.

Lenina is further upset at John’s absence, feeling it is because he did not wish to see her. She takes solace in taking some soma.

The chapter then goes on to view Mond’s activities.  He is censoring a biology paper, which has an argument on the purpose of life. Although the paper is outstanding, it cannot be used because it is at odds with the Brave New World philosophy. 

Bernard is jealous of the friendship between John and Helmholtz, who have a common love and appreciation of poetry.

Helmholtz is intrigued with John’s reading of Shakespeare. This book is banned.  (See earlier chapter).

Interpretation

At this stage, the plot reaches the height of complexity, such as it is.

Several strands of the story take a leap forward. 

The reader appreciates that Bernard’s usefulness to Mond is coming to an end, with John’s rebellion.  Bernard’s period of popularity has also come to an end, and he will drift out of the storyline.

Again there is further reference to Shakespeare as John’s conversations are dotted with quotations from the bard. 

We are also seeing a deeper picture of Mond. Most of the people in Utopia can be described as two-dimensional, but as we have said before, Mond is a rare, enlightened leader, who is anxious to obtain an independent view as to how successful his society is.

Although an intelligent figure, Mond is also a lonely leader, and we get a feeling of this in his words, “What fun it would be if one didn’t have to think about happiness.”