Brave New World: Chapter 9
1. How are Lenina, John and Bernard are affected differently upon leaving the
reservation? Find quotations to demonstrate.
Lenina: overwhelmed by the ‘day of queerness and horror’ and needing an escape,
‘holiday’, with ‘soma’.
John: extremely excited, as when he thought ‘they were gone’ and they didn’t bring
him, it was ‘the most terrible thing that had ever happened to him.’
Bernard: preoccupied and engrossed by the thought of going back with them and his
‘plan’ – he ‘lay pensive and wide-eyed in the dark’. As his plan begins to fall into
place, ‘He was thoroughly enjoying himself.’
2. Find quotations to show that John is:
A) Intimidated
‘unfolded a pair of zippicamiknicks, blushed, put them hastily away again’
‘Hesitating gesture of one who reaches forward to stroke a shy possibly rather
dangerous bird’
‘Did he dare? Dare to profane with his unworthiest hand that… No, he didn't. The
bird was too dangerous.’
B) Aroused
‘filling his lungs with her essential being. His heart beat wildly’
‘pair of viscose velveteen shorts were at first a puzzle, then, solved, a delight. Zip,
and then zip; zip, and then zip; he was enchanted.’
‘kissed a perfumed acetate handkerchief’
‘He wiped them on his chest, on his shoulders, on his bare arms. Delicious perfume!’
‘he found himself reflecting that he had only to take hold of the zipper at her neck
and give one long, strong pull…’
C) Lacking in self control
‘Joy flared up like fire within him. He picked up a stone. The smashed glass tinkled on
the floor.’
‘He opened the green suitcase; and all at once he was breathing Lenina’s perfume’
‘On the opposite side of the landing was another door, ajar. He stepped out, pushed,
peered.’
D) Wracked by his conscience
‘A noise made him start, made him guiltily turn.’
‘He crammed up his thieveries into the suitcase’
‘Detestable thought! He was ashamed of himself.’
1. How are Lenina, John and Bernard are affected differently upon leaving the
reservation? Find quotations to demonstrate.
Lenina: overwhelmed by the ‘day of queerness and horror’ and needing an escape,
‘holiday’, with ‘soma’.
John: extremely excited, as when he thought ‘they were gone’ and they didn’t bring
him, it was ‘the most terrible thing that had ever happened to him.’
Bernard: preoccupied and engrossed by the thought of going back with them and his
‘plan’ – he ‘lay pensive and wide-eyed in the dark’. As his plan begins to fall into
place, ‘He was thoroughly enjoying himself.’
2. Find quotations to show that John is:
A) Intimidated
‘unfolded a pair of zippicamiknicks, blushed, put them hastily away again’
‘Hesitating gesture of one who reaches forward to stroke a shy possibly rather
dangerous bird’
‘Did he dare? Dare to profane with his unworthiest hand that… No, he didn't. The
bird was too dangerous.’
B) Aroused
‘filling his lungs with her essential being. His heart beat wildly’
‘pair of viscose velveteen shorts were at first a puzzle, then, solved, a delight. Zip,
and then zip; zip, and then zip; he was enchanted.’
‘kissed a perfumed acetate handkerchief’
‘He wiped them on his chest, on his shoulders, on his bare arms. Delicious perfume!’
‘he found himself reflecting that he had only to take hold of the zipper at her neck
and give one long, strong pull…’
C) Lacking in self control
‘Joy flared up like fire within him. He picked up a stone. The smashed glass tinkled on
the floor.’
‘He opened the green suitcase; and all at once he was breathing Lenina’s perfume’
‘On the opposite side of the landing was another door, ajar. He stepped out, pushed,
peered.’
D) Wracked by his conscience
‘A noise made him start, made him guiltily turn.’
‘He crammed up his thieveries into the suitcase’
‘Detestable thought! He was ashamed of himself.’
