Brave New World
Chapter 15: Fifteen
by Huxley, AldousIn Chapter Fifteen of *Brave New World*, the Savage finds himself amidst a group of Delta clones at the Park Lane Hospital for the Dying. Overwhelmed by grief and remorse over Linda’s death, he mechanically navigates the crowd, only to be jolted into awareness by their identical, unsettling faces. The clones, preoccupied with their soma ration, momentarily distract him from his anguish. However, their uniformity horrifies him, evoking imagery of maggots defiling Linda’s memory. The chapter vividly captures his revulsion at the dehumanizing sameness of the dystopian society.
The scene shifts to the soma distribution, where an Alpha administers the drug to the obedient Deltas. The Savage, initially detached, becomes increasingly agitated as the clones mindlessly queue for their ration. The phrase “O brave new world,” once a mocking refrain in his mind, transforms into a call to action. He resolves to confront the system, seeing soma as a poison that enslaves both body and soul. This moment marks a turning point as he decides to intervene, driven by a newfound sense of duty and rebellion.
The Savage disrupts the distribution, urging the Deltas to reject soma and embrace freedom. His impassioned plea falls on deaf ears, as the clones react with confusion and anger. The Deputy Sub-Bursar, alarmed, secretly calls for backup. Meanwhile, Bernard and Helmholtz, unaware of the Savage’s whereabouts, are alerted to his erratic behavior at the hospital. The chapter underscores the Savage’s isolation and the clones’ inability to comprehend his ideals, highlighting the stark divide between individuality and conditioned conformity.
The chapter climaxes as the Savage, fueled by rage, throws the soma tablets out the window, provoking the mob. His act of defiance shocks the Deltas, who turn on him violently. Bernard fears for his life, while Helmholtz, exhilarated, rushes to his aid. The Savage’s desperate attempt to liberate the clones ultimately exposes the futility of his mission, as the system’s grip proves unshakable. The chapter ends on a chaotic note, emphasizing the tragic clash between human spirit and oppressive control.
FAQs
1. How does the Savage’s perception of the Deltas reflect the themes of dehumanization and conformity in the chapter?
Answer:
The Savage views the Deltas as a “khaki mob” of indistinguishable twins, comparing them to maggots defiling the memory of Linda’s death. This dehumanizing imagery underscores the novel’s critique of a society that sacrifices individuality for stability. The Deltas’ identical appearances and synchronized reactions (e.g., collectively gasping at the soma) highlight the horror of mass production applied to humans. The Savage’s revulsion—”swarming indistinguishable sameness”—mirrors Huxley’s warning about the loss of humanity in a world obsessed with efficiency and control.2. Analyze the significance of the soma distribution scene in the chapter. How does it illustrate the society’s mechanisms of control?
Answer:
The soma distribution scene demonstrates the state’s reliance on chemical pacification to maintain order. The Deltas’ immediate shift from anger to docility when threatened with deprivation (“Deprivation of soma—appalling thought!”) reveals their addiction and psychological dependence. The Deputy Sub-Bursar, an Alpha, enforces this system, emphasizing the hierarchical control. The Savage’s interruption (“It’s poison!”) challenges this oppression, framing soma as a tool to suppress freedom and critical thought—a key theme in the novel’s critique of escapism and manufactured happiness.3. How does the Savage’s rhetorical shift from quoting Shakespeare’s The Tempest (“O brave new world”) reflect his evolving mindset in this chapter?
Answer:
Initially, the Savage uses Miranda’s line cynically to mock the society’s grotesque uniformity. However, after witnessing the soma ritual, the phrase transforms into a “call to arms.” This shift mirrors his transition from despair to activism: he now sees the quote as a challenge to reform the world. The duality of the phrase—both ironic and aspirational—captures his internal conflict between disillusionment and hope, culminating in his decision to destroy the soma as an act of “reparation” for Linda’s suffering.4. What does the Savage’s failed attempt to liberate the Deltas reveal about the limitations of individual rebellion in this society?
Answer:
The Savage’s speech (“Do you like being slaves?”) falls on deaf ears because the Deltas, conditioned to equate happiness with obedience, cannot conceptualize freedom. Their “carapace of thick stupidity” and sullen resentment highlight the success of systemic indoctrination. Even his dramatic act of throwing away soma only provokes violence, not enlightenment. This failure underscores Huxley’s bleak message: in a world where oppression is internalized, isolated acts of defiance are futile without collective awakening—a theme reinforced by Helmholtz’s late intervention.5. Compare the reactions of Bernard and Helmholtz to the Savage’s rebellion. What do their differences reveal about their characters?
Answer:
Bernard responds with fear (“They’ll kill him”), embodying his typical cowardice and self-preservation instinct. In contrast, Helmholtz acts decisively, laughing with “exultation” as he pushes through the crowd. This contrast highlights Helmholtz’s latent rebelliousness and emotional depth, foreshadowing his later role as a co-conspirator. Bernard’s paralysis versus Helmholtz’s engagement reflects their differing capacities for moral courage—a key distinction in their arcs. The scene also hints at Helmholtz’s willingness to challenge authority, unlike Bernard, who remains a passive observer.
Quotes
1. “Like maggots they had swarmed defilingly over the mystery of Linda’s death. Maggots again, but larger, full grown, they now crawled across his grief and his repentance.”
This visceral metaphor captures the Savage’s horror at the dehumanized, identical Delta twins who symbolize the dystopian world’s loss of individuality. The quote reflects his growing disillusionment with the “brave new world” that mocks human dignity even in death.
2. “‘O brave new world!’ Miranda was proclaiming the possibility of loveliness, the possibility of transforming even the nightmare into something fine and noble. ‘O brave new world!’ It was a challenge, a command.”
This pivotal moment shows the shift in the Savage’s perspective - from seeing Shakespeare’s line as bitter irony to embracing it as a call to action. The quote marks his transition from passive grief to active rebellion against the system.
3. “I come to bring you freedom… Don’t you want to be free and men? Don’t you even understand what manhood and freedom are?”
The Savage’s impassioned plea to the Deltas encapsulates the central conflict - his belief in human dignity versus their conditioned contentment. This quote demonstrates the tragic impossibility of his mission to awaken people who don’t desire awakening.
4. “And pushing open a window that looked on to the inner court of the Hospital, he began to throw the little pill-boxes of soma tablets in handfuls out into the area.”
This dramatic action represents the climax of the chapter - the Savage’s symbolic destruction of the society’s primary means of control. The physical rejection of soma becomes his declaration of war against the system’s chemical oppression.