Chapter 11

John’s presence causes an uproar in London. He is described as the “delicious creature” who fell to his knees before the Director. Meanwhile, the Director has resigned and hasn’t been spotted at the Centre since. On the other hand, people are not as excited to see Linda; they are dismayed by her presence, and since she was a civilized person before, she is not regarded as a “novelty” either.

Linda, too, is uninterested in meeting “civilized” people. She is merely happy to have the chance to consume soma again, especially since Peyote, the alcohol consumed by the savages, induced terrible headaches and nausea. However, her daily consumption of soma increases steadily, and at one stage she consumes as much as twenty grams a day. Her excessive soma consumption would lead to her death at a later stage in the novel.

John continues to be regarded as a novelty, and people queue up to see him. Bernard is appointed John’s guardian, and people can only see John with Bernard’s approval. This role catapults Bernard into social prominence. He is showered with gifts; women accept his invitations, and no one talks of his shortcomings anymore.

As Bernard shares his recent “success” with Watson, the latter merely nods and is unable to conceal the fact that he is deeply saddened by these developments. Bernard is displeased with Watson’s reaction, and decides never to speak to him again.

Though Bernard is happy with his success, he is nonetheless critical of his society. Success changes his attitude toward his world—he accepts it, but also feels increasingly important enough to openly criticize it. Though his opinions are controversial, they are tolerated nonetheless. However, some hope that his controversial opinions will eventually lead to his downfall.

John, now referred to as “Mr. Savage,” is shown the many sights of London, but he is not impressed by civilization.

Bernard compiles a lengthy report for Mustapha on John’s time in London. Mustapha is both amused and enraged by Bernard’s report. In his report, Bernard states that John regards the civilized world as “infantile,” and also expresses his approval of this observation, which enrages Mustapha.

As John is taken on a tour of one of London’s factories, he mentions the novel’s title for the first time in a conversation: he says, “O brave new world…O brave new world that has such people in it.”

Bernard’s reports continue to feature anecdotes, such as John’s refusal to take soma and his regular meetings with Linda, who continues to be ostracized for her unpleasant appearance.

Bernard takes John to a school designated for the upper classes. There, Bernard takes a strong liking to Miss Keate, the Head Mistress. Using John as his prop, he asks her to one of his parties, and Miss Keate accepts his invitation.

John is then taken to a classroom where the savage reservation is being described. As they discuss the whiplashing ritual, the class erupts in laughter. This greatly puzzles John, who, having grown up in the savage world, understands the importance of tribal festivals.

Bernard makes a statement by putting his arm around Miss Keate in public, but is unable to kiss her. Since he has agreed to spend the evening with Miss Keate, he requests Lenina to show John around. Lenina is elated at the opportunity.

Fanny remarks that Lenina is lucky since she too was able to enjoy some fame in bringing John to the civilized world. Lenina is also approached by more important men on account of her newfound fame.

Lenina reveals that most people assume that she has had sexual relations with savage men, especially John. They repeatedly ask her what it is like to sleep with a savage, and no one believes her when she tells them that she hasn’t slept with any of them. Nonetheless, she is compelled by these questions to find out what it would be like to sleep with a savage.

Lenina is confused by John’s behavior toward her—he doesn’t seem interested in interacting with her, yet she often finds him staring at her. She takes John to see a movie, one with many physical and sensory effects, a movie about passion and physical intimacy. It is about a young blond woman’s affairs with a black, mentally unstable man. She also has affairs with her rescuers later. Lenina finds herself desiring John after the film, and though he shares the sentiment, he is too ashamed and hesitant to make a move.

Lenina is happy to return to her apartment with John. She hopes they might be able to share some intimacy once there. However, John drops her home and leaves immediately, much to her disappointment.

John returns in a miserable state and decides to read Othello, whereas Lenina takes three doses of soma to overcome her sadness and disappointment with John.

Analysis

John and Linda are “inducted” into civilization, and while Linda spends her days in a soma-induced bliss, John worries about his mother’s health.

Bernard is now an important man. His newfound social status makes him vain and over-confident. Though he is openly critical of his society, he is pleased to have people’s acceptance nonetheless.

John is not overly impressed by London’s technological advancements or by the ways of the civilized world. Bernard seems to understand John’s concerns, and even finds himself agreeing with some of Bernard’s assessments, much to Mustapha’s annoyance.

Lenina, too, is overjoyed with her newfound social status; she also grows increasingly desirous of John who seems to love her, but is unable to become physically intimate with her due to his low self-worth.

This chapter also highlights the tension between “desire” and “love”: Lenina is unaccustomed to love; she is driven more by sexual desire, whereas John is unable to separate love from desire.