Chapter 13

Lenina declines Henry’s invitation to a date. She has now become short tempered and is forgetful at work. She finds herself mumbling John’s name to herself. It is now more evident to readers that Lenina is falling in love with John.

When she commits an avoidable mistake at work, which, it is revealed, will result in the untimely death of a young person two decades later.

When Lenina tells Fanny that she is unable to forget John, Fanny advises her to meet other men, an advice Lenina doesn’t consider. Fanny then insists that Lenina must “have him,” irrespective of whether John likes it or not.

John is eager to share his feelings with Watson. When he hears a knock on his door, he hopes that it might be Watson. John is surprised to find Lenina at his doorstep, and he professes his love for her, and just as she is about to kiss him, he moves away. He then tells Lenina that he had wanted to treat her to a grand gesture before he could be physically intimate with her. This annoys Lenina who is conditioned to seek and pursue only physical pleasures.

The ensuing conversation only confuses them both, and a frustrated Lenina asks John if he likes her. John tells her that he loves her more than any other person he knows. Lenina is angry to hear this, and, much to his horror, she throws herself at him, taking her clothes off.

Lenina is shocked and confused when John slaps her and calls her a “whore.” She retreats to the bathroom, whereas John paces angrily, reciting Shakespeare to himself. John receives a phone call and leaves his apartment hastily. Lenina is happy to see John leave and takes this as the perfect opportunity to leave his apartment.

Analysis

Though Lenina is in love with John, she is only able to express her feelings through physical acts.

John, however, is troubled by Lenina’s desire. He subscribes to the “savage” ideal of consummation after marriage. In Lenina’s world, there is only physical intimacy. She gathers the confidence to meet John, but is treated with disdain and anger when she stands naked before John. This episode highlights the tensions between John’s world and civilized London: though they are deeply fond of each other, John and Lenina are unable to reconcile their conditioned differences.