Brave New World
Chapter 5
 This chapter marks the beginning of Shakespearean references
o “Birnam Beeches” = Birnam Wood (Macbeth) - the location causing
Macbeth’s downfall…
 Death Process…
o Bodies are cremated to recover phosphorous…to feed plants and
continue the growth of life (death is dehumanized)
o “Socially useful” – death is an equally important process as the life
process to them!
 COMMUNITY, IDENTITY, STABILITY
 Lenina’s Realization of Hypnopaedia
o It startles and scares her when she is young
o As an adult, though, the hypnopaedia wins
 Note that Lenina MAY have the capacity for emotion based on this
flashback!
 Henry’s Brief Change…
o He shows a capacity for philosophical thought
o LESSON: HYPNOPAEDIA WILL ALWAYS WIN!
 The Date…
o Westminster Abbey is a cathedral in London
 In this world, it’s been converted to a cabaret
 Bastardization of religion
 The sacred has become the profane
o Purpose of showing the club scene…
 Music is a form of propaganda for soma and sex
 It appeals to all senses (especially scent and sight)
-------------- Chapter Divisions
o Function of Part I = To show how normal W.S. citizens spend their
evenings
o Function of Part II = To show how abnormal W.S. citizens spend their
evenings
 Solidarity = Unification / Combination of many into a group
o Note: Bernard is late to the service (the W.S. reveres precision! This
emphasizes his difference)
 Metaphorically, this service is like Communion…the participants’
goal is “atonement” (religious connotations)
 12 = symbolic of Apostles
o Bernard = Nonconformist?
 He spends his time fixating on the physical appearance of the
women around him
 Communion Motif…
o Instead of “bread and wine” representing the “body and blood of
Christ”, they receive soma tablets along with ice cream soma
 Key word: Annihilation
o Connotation = COMPLETE AND UTTER DESTRUCTION
o These people are here because they must have their individuality
eradicated
 “Greater Being” = Ford
o Goal of Solidarity Service: to be one with the community
 This service enforces “Community, Identity, Stability” for those
who are unable to comply
 The procedure of “Orgy Porgy” is tribal/primitive
o Reminiscent of the “Georgie Porgie” English rhyme:
Georgie Porgie pudding and pie,
Kissed the girls and made them cry
When the boys came out to play,
Georgie Porgie ran away.