Isolation. Self-destruction. Desolation. When societal influences become that little voice planting doubt in the mind, the line between personal values and the cultural normalcy become blurred. The influence of those around us becomes the only thing that is discernible. When society is working against personal values, self-isolation becomes an appealing choice. Alienation provides the main characters in Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World and William Shakespeare’s Othello with their motivation, while self-isolation as an act of self-preservation ultimately leads to self-destruction.
Cultural normalcy is set on the concepts one grows up with. It’s based on the society one lives in and the conditions surrounding them. Personal values are created …show more content…
John’s knowledge of Shakespeare allows him to verbalize his own emotions, creates a model in which to criticize the New World, and accesses a language to hold his own in confrontation. John uses his words as a defense mechanism. The line between his values and societal expectations has become so thin that he has nothing else to rely on. The use of Shakespearean quotes is used also to describe his relationship with Lenina. John begins by referring to her in terms of Juliet. As he realizes he doesn’t want to be a part of the New World, he uses Shakespeare to refer to her as an “impudent strumpet” (196). He uses the quotes of others to protect himself from discretion, causing him to be seen as more of an outsider. On the other hand, Othello uses his speech to convince people of his good nature. He uses his words as a facade. He uses his stories to convince Desdemona’s father of his pure intentions. Othello uses his words to gain acceptance among the white people in Venice and Cyprus. Othello’s monologues and eloquent speeches help him to gain societal acceptance, but once the seed of doubt has been placed in his mind, Othello seems to be at a loss for words. His eloquence begins to falter under the strain of Iago’s plan. Once his words fail him, the rest of the play begins to unravel. Othello’s relationships become disastrous, and since the battles are over, his role as the general ceases to need
Cultural normalcy is set on the concepts one grows up with. It’s based on the society one lives in and the conditions surrounding them. Personal values are created …show more content…
John’s knowledge of Shakespeare allows him to verbalize his own emotions, creates a model in which to criticize the New World, and accesses a language to hold his own in confrontation. John uses his words as a defense mechanism. The line between his values and societal expectations has become so thin that he has nothing else to rely on. The use of Shakespearean quotes is used also to describe his relationship with Lenina. John begins by referring to her in terms of Juliet. As he realizes he doesn’t want to be a part of the New World, he uses Shakespeare to refer to her as an “impudent strumpet” (196). He uses the quotes of others to protect himself from discretion, causing him to be seen as more of an outsider. On the other hand, Othello uses his speech to convince people of his good nature. He uses his words as a facade. He uses his stories to convince Desdemona’s father of his pure intentions. Othello uses his words to gain acceptance among the white people in Venice and Cyprus. Othello’s monologues and eloquent speeches help him to gain societal acceptance, but once the seed of doubt has been placed in his mind, Othello seems to be at a loss for words. His eloquence begins to falter under the strain of Iago’s plan. Once his words fail him, the rest of the play begins to unravel. Othello’s relationships become disastrous, and since the battles are over, his role as the general ceases to need