Brave New World
Chapter 18: Eighteen
by Huxley, AldousIn Chapter Eighteen of *Brave New World*, John the Savage is found in a distressed state after purging himself with mustard and water, symbolically rejecting the corruption of civilization. His friends Helmholtz and Bernard visit him to say goodbye, as they are being exiled to remote islands. Bernard expresses remorse for past actions, and John forgives him, showcasing their bond despite their conflicts. The chapter highlights John’s inner turmoil and his desire for purification, contrasting with the resigned acceptance of his friends’ fate. The emotional weight of their farewell underscores their shared sadness and mutual affection.
John reveals he sought permission to join Helmholtz and Bernard in exile but was denied by the Controller, who insists on continuing his experiment. Furious, John declares his refusal to be manipulated and resolves to leave alone, seeking solitude. His determination to escape the oppressive control of the World State reflects his growing disillusionment with society. The chapter emphasizes John’s struggle for autonomy and his rejection of the dehumanizing forces around him, setting the stage for his retreat into isolation.
The narrative shifts to describe John’s chosen refuge—an abandoned lighthouse between Puttenham and Elstead. Though comfortable, he imposes harsh self-discipline, spending his first night in prayer and physical suffering to atone for his perceived sins. The lighthouse’s serene surroundings contrast with John’s inner torment, as he grapples with feelings of unworthiness. The detailed depiction of his ascetic rituals underscores his desperate quest for spiritual purity and his rejection of the hedonistic values of the World State.
The chapter concludes with John’s contemplation of the landscape from the lighthouse, which offers both beauty and solitude. Despite its proximity to civilization, the area remains deserted, allowing John the isolation he craves. The vivid descriptions of nature contrast with the sterile, controlled environment of London, reinforcing John’s connection to a more primal, untamed world. His retreat symbolizes his final break from society, as he seeks redemption and meaning in a world that has otherwise failed him.
FAQs
1. What physical and symbolic purification rituals does John the Savage undertake, and what do they reveal about his character?
Answer:
John engages in two purification rituals: consuming mustard and warm water (a physical cleansing method he attributes to Indigenous practices) and a self-imposed crucifixion-like prayer vigil. These acts symbolize his rejection of civilization’s corruption (“I ate civilization”) and his desire for spiritual purity. The extreme nature of his rituals—enduring pain until near-fainting—reveals his asceticism, guilt over perceived “wickedness,” and commitment to atonement. His methods contrast sharply with the comfort-driven society he rejects, highlighting his moral absolutism and inner turmoil.2. How does the setting of the abandoned lighthouse reflect John’s internal conflict?
Answer:
The lighthouse is paradoxically both isolated and uncomfortably civilized, mirroring John’s struggle to escape modernity. While he seeks solitude (“I don’t care. So long as I can be alone”), the structure’s “civilizedly luxurious” condition torments him, prompting self-punishment to “earn” the right to inhabit it. The panoramic view—spanning Guildford’s skyscrapers and untouched nature—embodies his divided worldview: the beauty he feels unworthy to enjoy and the technological society he despises. This duality underscores his inability to reconcile his ideals with reality.3. Analyze the significance of Helmholtz and Bernard’s farewell to John. How does this interaction contrast with earlier dynamics between the characters?
Answer:
Their farewell shows emotional growth, particularly for Bernard, who apologizes sincerely for past actions, blushing and stammering—a vulnerability absent earlier. Helmholtz’s quiet support (“Now, now”) and their shared sadness reveal genuine camaraderie, contrasting with Bernard’s earlier selfishness and Helmholtz’s detached intellectualism. The moment’s tenderness (“their sadness was the symptom of their love”) highlights how suffering has humanized them, bridging their ideological differences with John and foreshadowing their shared rebellion against the World State.4. Why does Mustapha Mond deny John’s request to join Helmholtz and Bernard on the islands? What does this reveal about the World State’s control mechanisms?
Answer:
Mond refuses John’s request to preserve the “experiment,” treating John as a specimen rather than a person. This exposes the State’s manipulation of individuality under the guise of scientific progress. Mond’s prioritization of data over autonomy (“he wanted to go on with the experiment”) mirrors the State’s broader dehumanization—using outliers like John to study dissent without granting freedom. John’s furious rejection (“Not for all the Controllers in the world”) underscores the system’s ethical bankruptcy and his refusal to be commodified.5. Evaluate John’s self-imposed exile to the lighthouse. Is this a heroic act of resistance or a retreat from engagement with society?
Answer:
John’s exile is both resistance and retreat. By choosing austerity and solitude, he rejects the World State’s hedonism, making his lifestyle a protest. However, his isolation—fixating on personal purity rather than confronting systemic issues—limits his impact. His rituals (e.g., praying to multiple deities) suggest spiritual seeking, but his inability to reconcile with society’s flaws renders his resistance symbolic rather than transformative. Ultimately, his exile reflects the tragic impossibility of individual purity in a corrupt world, foreshadowing his eventual breakdown.
Quotes
1. “I ate civilization. It poisoned me; I was defiled. And then, I ate my own wickedness.”
This quote captures the Savage’s profound disillusionment with the civilized world, expressing his physical and spiritual revulsion through visceral metaphor. It represents the chapter’s central conflict between natural purity and artificial society.
2. “I shall go away to-morrow too. Anywhere. I don’t care. So long as I can be alone.”
The Savage’s declaration of independence shows his decisive rejection of societal control and experimentation. This marks a turning point where he chooses isolation over continued participation in the world that has corrupted him.
3. “Oh, forgive me! Oh, make me pure! Oh, help me to be good!”
This anguished prayer during the Savage’s self-imposed crucifixion reveals his desperate spiritual struggle and quest for redemption. It exemplifies his extreme measures to cleanse himself from civilization’s contamination.
4. “The crowds that daily left London, left it only to play Electro-magnetic Golf or Tennis… Flowers and a landscape were the only attractions here. And so, as there was no good reason for coming, nobody came.”
This observation highlights the dystopian society’s disconnection from nature and authentic experience. The Savage’s chosen solitude contrasts sharply with the empty leisure pursuits of the civilized world.
5. “Who was he to be pampered with the daily and hourly sight of loveliness? Who was he to be living in the visible presence of God?”
The Savage’s self-flagellating questions reveal his complex relationship with beauty and spirituality, showing how his extreme self-denial becomes another form of suffering in his purification journey.