Lenina and Linda Character Foils Essay - 666 Words

In Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, Lenina and Linda are character foils of one another. Huxley foils these characters in order to show the differences not only between their characters, but also to show the difference in the societies that which they are accustomed to. Lenina and Linda were complete strangers and had never met; however, they share many similarities while remaining different. Both Lenina and Linda use soma to escape from the realities of the world. Soma is a symbol for instant pleasure, and to avoid unpleasant situations. Lenina’s use of soma suggests that she is trying to suppress feelings of embarrassment, depression, and later her infatuation with John. Resembling words that of a drug addict, Lenina says â€Å"I†¦show more content†¦Both Lenina and Linda use soma to avoid confrontations of the problems they endure. Furthermore, their maternal attitudes balance each other. Lenina is unable to grasp the concept of motherhood because of h er â€Å"Beta- Mindedness,† a result of her conditioning. Linda, like Lenina, is unable to fully understand being a mother as well. Linda expresses obtrusive attempts at motherly affection. For example, she constantly refers to John as â€Å"baby† and says â€Å"come and lie down, Baby† (Huxley 111). Linda’s motherly affectation is a result of her being engulfed by shame, and causes her to feel the need to play a caring mother. Both Lenina and Linda engage in promiscuous activity. Lenina has been conditioned to think that it is natural to be in a polygamous relationship, and having one partner is considered to be abnormal. In fact, it is Fanny who says â€Å"it’s such horribly bad form to go on and on like this with one man† (Huxley 36) and encourages Lenina to act more promiscuous. On the Savage Reserves, Linda has indiscriminate sexual affairs with the husbands of other women living in the Reserves. Linda allows Popà ©, her lov er at the Savage Reserves, to use her to satisfy his sexual desires. For these two women, engaging in frivolous acts is considered normal because of the conditioning they were subjected to in their environments. Both women allow men toShow MoreRelatedBrave New World - Huxleys Message1253 Words   |  6 Pagesprotagonist is described as the prominent character in a novel or text. In Aldous Huxley’s â€Å"Brave New World†, John the Savage is the central protagonist opposed to Bernard Marx or Helmholtz Watson because he symbolizes cultural difference amongst the World State and the Savage Reservation. Although Bernard and Helmholtz demonstrate differences that would not be accepted in the civilized society, they are only seen as leading characters. Huxley uses John’s character to point out the short comings of whatRead MoreEssay on Aldous Huxleys Brave New World1949 Words   |  8 PagesIII. Character Description 1. John the Savage Thomas and Linda’s son, John, is a scholar and resident of the savage reservation in New Mexico. Despite not being introduced until Chapter 7, John is seen as the centralizing character of the novel. Unlike the rest of his community, he is educated. When Lenina and Bernard come across John during their trip, they soon realize John’s biological father is the Director, Thomas. Once reaffirming this, Bernard and Lenina offer to bring John and Linda backRead MoreReview Of Brave New World 1779 Words   |  8 Pagesreproductive cycles to the practicing of hypnopaedia to shape the ideals of society. The title serves the purpose of further backing these achievements, by portraying a sense of achievement. The title also serves a purpose in developing certain main characters in the novel. When Bernard Marx first arrives at the savage reservation in New Mexico, he enters a new world, filled with the cultural and practical habits of the previous civilization. Likewise, when John arrives in London, the technological prowess