Lenina And John Character Analysis

Upon meeting for the first time, Lenina and John, characters of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, are instantly drawn to one another. The attraction they have to each other is one that neither of them is prepared for. Lenina and John are born into two very contrasting worlds, filled with opposing beliefs, values, and structures. These two characters are fundamentally different in several aspects. Lenina, living in the World State, believes that “everyone belongs to everyone,” and sees her sexuality as something to be shared and freely given. John, on the other hand, believes in monogamy and the idea of a man having to earn the right to be with a woman. Being shunned in the Savage Reservation for the actions of his promiscuous mother, John is …show more content…
John knows it is his responsibility to keep himself and his actions in line and he tries his best to keep to the standards he deems appropriate. John struggles to keep his mind free of Lenina despite being alone, and he starts to punish himself when his mind goes astray. He begins to whip himself repeatedly to rid himself of the contamination he has been exposed to. By whipping himself, John is desperately trying to hold on to his values, yet when citizens of the World State discover his actions, he is turned into the community’s joke. Citizens come out to John’s home each night, hoping to get a look at this wild savage and his bewildering actions. One night, however, Lenina makes an appearance in a crowd of chanting visitors, offering John his greatest temptation. John, being caught up in the night’s action, shatters all of his hard work and gives into his temptations. Lenina is too much of a enticement for him, and his resolve to resist her fades away when an orgy breaks out in his yard. The next morning John wakes up to guilt and shame. He lets the corruption of the new world’s society overtake