Language, Narrative
Use of adjectives and key words
There are certain linguistic aspects that the passage exhibits, in order to create a realistic and believable scenery to the reader. Initially, the passage is a descriptive text, due to its good amount of adjectives and other key words. One first phrase for producing wide and coherent descriptions is when the narrator tells that Mustapha Mond opened a “heavy door” for taking out his biblical texts. By having applied the word “heavy”, Huxley makes emphasis on expressing that the information kept inside those walls is important, thus the exaggerated protection. Hence, with the implementation of adjectives the author minimizes the length of his sentences and maximizes the power of his descriptions.
A very evident fact for contextualizing and making the novel logical is the name given to John after his arrival to London, The Savage. With this nickname the author can openly expose John´s character and the society´s perception towards him. Along the text it is seen that Huxley repetitively shows this word, in order to expose to the reader his perception of what our present behavior will be seen in some coming future. The word savage also makes emphasis for the end of the book, as John ended up hanging himself as he did not resists England without the constant presence of his friend Bernard: only savages do such act.
Repetitions and narrative, in regards to religion
In order to make the narrative interesting and contextualized, there also exists the concept of repetition along the passage. It is evident that along the extract there are several repetitive words like “God”, and “Savage”, already mentioned, which not simply allows the novel to be well contextualized, but permits the reader to remind himself about the places and situations under which the novel happens. The most controversial word seen along the text is God. One the main reasons that Huxley introduces that word throughout the whole book, is because it highlights the conflict between ancient and modern philosophies of life. It is evident that England is not interested at all in religious contents, but the reservation in New Mexico where John grew up has huge appreciation for God. Thus, the issue of religion along history is being portrayed by constantly introducing the word God.
The mentioning of religion along the book is also a direct consequence of the novel´s topic; the way in which religion has been abolished due to the advance in science. Huxley has a valid intention to introduce this topic by contextualizing it with John. He is clearly a contrast in the way humanity has evolved after Ford, as he demonstrates great interest for Shakespeare and God, while the rest of society abolishes those conceptions. John is a representation of our society in the far future, when referring to Huxley´s novel. Therefore, the author has the intention of contrasting his invented moment in time with the present we experience, in order to make the reader realize that human behavior and ideals change along time, as humans are an evolving entity. Huxley has always an intention behind his scripts, and as it can be clearly seen along this passage, the most prevalent aspect Huxley portrays is societal behavior.
Narrative purpose
Along this text, Huxley implements many abbreviations and dialogues, thus he exhibits an informal narrative. The purpose of exposing an informal narrative, with a combination of third and first person is a convenient technique for creating a realistic and understandable atmosphere to the reader. By using a third person narration then the reader can know many facts orderly, and by applying the first person technique can appreciate and compare the writing, to dialogues of real life. Along the passage it is evident that Huxley has various dialogues in order for creating that seen realism, such as “Ah, here´s the book”. In the case of that phrase, there´s clearly an informal mood as there would exist in normal life between two friends. Therefore, Huxley exhibits an informal ambience for making any situation believable, as real life has many informal dialogues.
Structure
The text has also structural content to talk about. The passage shows a chronological structure, where a logical path of events is followed; initially the text says that Mustapha Mond and John are having a discussion about religion, and the passage proceeds to tell that Mustapha trusts John, and he shows him the religion books. Therefore, events occur in a chronological way as one event drives to the other, and there are no flashbacks for proving an argument. The structure can also be told to be balanced, as it combines brief paragraphs with brief dialogues. Therefore, the structure is in charge of exposing evenly descriptions and dialogues, in order to have a balanced comprehension of what the author intends to express. On one hand, descriptions clarify ideas, and dialogues provide the wanted realism.
Tone
An additional complement for creating a coherent atmosphere accordingly to the author´s intentions refers to the tone used. It is evident that along this passage the tone is informal due to the great number of abbreviations, like “I´ve” and “here´s”. By doing such abbreviations along the dialogues between the two mentioned characters, the author is producing two main effects. The first one refers to the relationship between the two characters; it’s a friendly relationship, as serious relationships are spoken with fewer abbreviations and more formalities. The second effect is a realistic effect; as in modern societies time is precious thus speaking fast saves time, therefore abbreviations are very relevant. Thus, abbreviations help to contextualize the novel.
Important phrases that contribute to contextualize
Further aspects for making the passage well contextualized with the book, refers to several phrases along the extract. The initial phrases show a discussion between religion and human evolution. This is seen when John tells Mustapha that “God doesn’t change” and Mustapha answers by saying that “men do”. Here, it can be clearly seen that each character person has distinct believes towards personal life, which thus creates a realistic approach to the actual times; which are the conflicting ideologies between the enormous number of religion followers, against the enormous number of scientists (atheists usually) who only believe in what science tells them. When Mustapha says “men do”, he exposes his perseverance towards knowing with only scientific facts. Another phrase regarding the conflicting concepts of religion and science has to with the part of the passage when Mustapha takes one of his secrets books, and the narrator says that “it had lost its cover”. Such saying reiterates the fact that the times of Ford have all religion forgotten, as the remaining books of that topic are becoming deteriorated, as for example in Mustapha´s case one of his books “had lost its cover”. One last phrase, or actually word, in regards to religion, is when Mustapha said that “there used to be SOMETHING called God”. By having used the word “something” Huxley portrays a society where philosophical and religious believes are completely forgotten, as that word makes emphasis on not knowing something in good and opened manner.
The passage brings along some other types of phrases, which are dedicated to create images. These contribute to a realistic comprehension of the text, thus they are crucial. One of the most evident quotes refers to “He pointed with a laugh” which refers to when Mustapha pointed the library to John, and he found it funny. With such phrase the author is permitting the reader know the mood of the atmosphere, which is indeed informal and friendly. There are complementary quotes towards this concept, in order to reiterate the author´s intentions, such as “the controller, meanwhile, has crossed to the other side of the room and was unlocking a large safe set into the wall”, which carefully describes the character´s actions in order to let the reader know about his way of being, and have a better reading comprehension as images are being created in the brain. There is a complementary element to images and those are symbols, as these highlight what most prevails in a chapter, page, or even in a paragraph, which allows the reader to focus on what matters the most. In this passage, the prevalent symbols are books, as Mustapha Mond reveals his passion for religious books to John. As it is evident, John begins to strongly call out the names of the books, such as “The varieties of religious experience”, and this way books symbolize a discovery and a hidden passion. Hence, books in this passage allow the reader to know more of Mustapha’s character, a very relevant purpose.
Conclusion
I must say that Huxley has indeed many techniques applied to his text “Brave New World”. As a result his scripts are very understandable, creative, original, and realistic to the reader. Although one cannot say that his situations are realistic to our moment in time, he provides a clear view of how society is always an evolving process; our ideals and inventions might alter the course of our existence. Thus, Huxley is able to produce an astonishing contrast regarding our present and how future might be, because indeed out thoughts might be subject to a community´s approval, otherwise we could be considered as irrational. Huxley gives life to this saying with the narrative he applies, as the intervention of dialogues permit the reader to contextualize his ideas in a realistic manner.
Although most of the points in the passage reflect a positive character for the reader, there are certain aspects which I feel could be reinforced. This refers to literary devices; Huxley focuses on applying many adjectives for thus producing a vivid image to the reader. However, Huxley has poor implementation of literary figures, like metaphors, which permit to compare and give greater life to the descriptions. That is why of the fundamental much of literature uses literary devices. I would like to clarify that Huxley has not made a bad attempt with his book, I am simply referring to the fact that a greater usage of literary devices allow a writer to relate his sayings to aspects of real life; Huxley bases on applying powerful adjectives which is also very valid, but a greater addition of literary devices, besides repetition and images, could have given an even greater realism than the one he presently shows.
