As an outsider to both the civilized and savage cultures, John makes his own realm for himself in Shakespeare's imaginative world. Shakespeare's work encompasses all the ideals and beliefs that are frowned upon and non-existent in the the World State. His vast knowledge of Shakespearean work allows John to verbalize his emotions in a way otherwise impossible and form his own opinions and critiques about World State values. Two of the World State beliefs that John feels the strongest opposed to include soma distribution and sex. John believes that soma is a sedating drug which the government gives to “the civilized” in order to distract them from their unhappiness and noticing something is wrong within their society. The people take soma for
