Bernard Marxism In Brave New World Essay

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is based on a utopian society with unique social, psychological, political, and cultural features. The novel hinges on the idea of an all-powerful state that controls almost all aspects of life and makes citizens ignorant problems occurring in their society. Bernard Marx is an Alpha male who fails to fit in the structure created by the World Controllers of his society due to his inferior capabilities. His discontent in society leads him to hold unorthodox ideas about many aspects of life and shapes him as an individual. Through Bernard’s exposure to John the Savage and his heightened need for social acceptance, Bernard Marx is shaped from an admirable character who yearns for more out of life than given in his

Once Bernard finds John, he starts taking advantage of John’s uniqueness as an opportunity to fight his internal class struggle. Rather than yearning for change in society as in the beginning of the novel, Bernard is more concerned with impressing others and climbing up the ladder. While there are no monetary stresses in Brave New World, Bernard feels the need to improve his status because of his mistreatment by the lower classes as a result of his physical disabilities. For example, when Bernard is trying to get the lower castes to prepare his helicopter, he has to exert force, even as an Alpha male, to accomplish tasks (Huxley 64). Bernard starts treating John like an object, rather than a person. He begins taking John for granted and assumes that John has to do every task assigned. While John is not helping Bernard improve his image, Bernard leaves him alone to fend for himself in an alien environment. Bernard is so relaxed that he is giving other people the job of watching over John. His influence and control over John influences his thoughts and eventually changes him into a selfish man who blackmails John and