Exile is defined by Edward Said as “the unhealable rift forced between a human being and a native place.” He further describes exile as “essential sadness that can never be surmounted” but also “a potent, even enriching experience.” This juxtaposition of descriptions captures the unpredictability of the outcomes of things in life, even traumatic ones such as exile. No matter how horrific things get, there can always be a possibility of happiness from the pain. In Huxley’s Brave New World, exile is a very important central theme. One who rebels against the accepted norms of the World State are at risk of being exiled to places they would most certainly rather not go. A different type of exile, however, is presented through the life of Linda.
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The motto of the “New World” is “community, identity, stability.” An important characteristic of this society is a collectivist culture, so much so that they literally condition children to memorize the proverb “everyone belongs to everyone else” (Page 40). The “identity” mentioned in the motto refers to finding one’s identity in the caste one was decanted into, further explaining the collectivist culture. “Stability” was the means of society neglecting advancements in science and technology in exchange for people accepting things as they were, and not wanting any changes. This motto was imprinted within every member of the society, including Linda. Now living in the “Savage” society, (which was called that for their refusal to change and rather stick with traditional culture and values) Linda was the very definition of an outcast. This exile from her own society left her feeling helpless and alone, and she couldn’t go back to the World State because they wouldn’t accept her bringing a child born the “old” way. With no other choices, she was forced to endure the sting of life on the Reservation. The first and most obvious downside for Linda living on the Savage Reservation was that not everyone belonged to her anymore. Linda said with terror “nobody’s supposed to belong to more than one person” when talking about the customs of the reservation (Page 121) She found this out the hard way. Like in her old society, Linda wanted to be promiscuous with as many men as she possibly could. Little did she know, however, that the wives of the men she slept with here would seek retribution on her for her actions. “Once a lot of women came and made a scene because their men came to see me. Well, why not? And then they rushed at me...No, it was too awful” was Linda’s claim to Bernard and Lenina about her experience with “cheating” in the savage’s world (Page 122). Linda had been physically
The motto of the “New World” is “community, identity, stability.” An important characteristic of this society is a collectivist culture, so much so that they literally condition children to memorize the proverb “everyone belongs to everyone else” (Page 40). The “identity” mentioned in the motto refers to finding one’s identity in the caste one was decanted into, further explaining the collectivist culture. “Stability” was the means of society neglecting advancements in science and technology in exchange for people accepting things as they were, and not wanting any changes. This motto was imprinted within every member of the society, including Linda. Now living in the “Savage” society, (which was called that for their refusal to change and rather stick with traditional culture and values) Linda was the very definition of an outcast. This exile from her own society left her feeling helpless and alone, and she couldn’t go back to the World State because they wouldn’t accept her bringing a child born the “old” way. With no other choices, she was forced to endure the sting of life on the Reservation. The first and most obvious downside for Linda living on the Savage Reservation was that not everyone belonged to her anymore. Linda said with terror “nobody’s supposed to belong to more than one person” when talking about the customs of the reservation (Page 121) She found this out the hard way. Like in her old society, Linda wanted to be promiscuous with as many men as she possibly could. Little did she know, however, that the wives of the men she slept with here would seek retribution on her for her actions. “Once a lot of women came and made a scene because their men came to see me. Well, why not? And then they rushed at me...No, it was too awful” was Linda’s claim to Bernard and Lenina about her experience with “cheating” in the savage’s world (Page 122). Linda had been physically