Imagine being stuck in a society that suppresses all feelings of love and replaces them with lust. In Brave New World, any time a person begins to feel outside of the framework of society, they are conditioned to take a drug called Soma. Huxley portrays love as a deep, affectionate, long-term connection between two people, while lust is a sexual desire that comes from temporary and momentary feelings. Lenina expresses feelings of lust towards Bernard and John, but John and Bernard are capable of feeling something deeper that does not go away with sexual gratification. Huxley personifies the idea of lust through Lenina's actions and thoughts. Lenina hums, "Hug me till you drug me honey; Kiss me till I'm in a coma: Hug me, honey, snuggly bunny;
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While the rest of society is conditioned to build lustful relationships, John and Bernard are given the capability to feel love. John states that he "love[s] [Lenina] more than anything in the world", but when she makes sexual advances, he states, "Whore!" (193-194). This passage illustrates John's ability to think for himself and expresses John's frustration with the society's attitude towards sex and instant gratification. Through this dialogue, John shows his personal attachment to Lenina, a type of connection that is suppressed in the society. Bernard expresses that he "still rather wish it had all ended differently...[he] didn't want it to end with [their] going to bed," (93). Through this passage, Huxley conveys Bernard's capacity to feel long-term feelings towards Lenina. He refuses to give into lustful, sexual temptations. Huxley shows that love is long-term and not an impulsive decision made hastily. When John begins to display his sadness for Linda's condition, "[t]he nurse glance[s] at him with startled, horrified eyes; then quickly look[s] away" (199). This quote reveals how love can be expressed beyond a romantic relationship. John feels a connection with the woman who raised him and is viewed as an outsider for grieving. This passage shows the lack of humility that the society's conditioning brings as a
While the rest of society is conditioned to build lustful relationships, John and Bernard are given the capability to feel love. John states that he "love[s] [Lenina] more than anything in the world", but when she makes sexual advances, he states, "Whore!" (193-194). This passage illustrates John's ability to think for himself and expresses John's frustration with the society's attitude towards sex and instant gratification. Through this dialogue, John shows his personal attachment to Lenina, a type of connection that is suppressed in the society. Bernard expresses that he "still rather wish it had all ended differently...[he] didn't want it to end with [their] going to bed," (93). Through this passage, Huxley conveys Bernard's capacity to feel long-term feelings towards Lenina. He refuses to give into lustful, sexual temptations. Huxley shows that love is long-term and not an impulsive decision made hastily. When John begins to display his sadness for Linda's condition, "[t]he nurse glance[s] at him with startled, horrified eyes; then quickly look[s] away" (199). This quote reveals how love can be expressed beyond a romantic relationship. John feels a connection with the woman who raised him and is viewed as an outsider for grieving. This passage shows the lack of humility that the society's conditioning brings as a