Chapter 9

As Lenina relaxes with several doses of soma after visiting the pueblo, Bernard hatches a plan to meet Mustapha Mond, with whom he wishes to discuss the prospects of bringing John and Linda to London. To Bernard’s surprise, Mustapha finds John and Linda to be of considerable scientific interest, and approves their visit to London.

While Bernard is away to seek permits to bring John and Linda back, John pays a visit to Bernard and Lenina’s guest house in Malpais. He is deeply excited to meet them, but with no one in the house, he assumes that Bernard and Lenina have left without him. However, he sees Lenina’s suitcase through the window and breaks in. He voyeuristically goes through Lenina’s personal things, and is taken aback by the luxurious products in her possession—soft clothing, plush slippers, perfumes, and powders. He then hears a sigh and spots Lenina, drunk on soma, in her room.

As John admires Lenina, he compares her to a delicate bird and himself to a savage. He yearns to touch her, but does not consider himself worthy of it. He is also struck by a sudden bout of bestial, sexual longing, and he is immediately ashamed by his feelings. He then hears sounds of a plane approaching, and soon realizes that it is Bernard’s helicopter. John leaves the house to greet Bernard.

Analysis

John’s decision to break into Bernard and Lenina’s guest house highlights his “uncivilized” ways; in fact, the incident serves to highlight the uncivilized ways of the savages in general. The implication here is that a civilized Londoner would never be able to give in to the impulse to break in; they would have stopped themselves.

John’s fascination with Lenina’s possessions highlight his fondness for material luxuries and his youth. When he finds Lenina asleep in her room, he thinks of several Shakespeare quotes, and this informs readers that he is falling in love with her.