Minor Characters In Brave New World Research Paper

Not so minor; minor characters In Shelley’s Frankenstein, Frankenstein defies nature and creates a monster due to hubris. Huxley’s Brave New World follows Bernard and John’s interactions with an advanced society. All literary works contain casts of characters that include major and minor members. Alphonse Frankenstein and Fanny Crowne are two minor characters in the acclaimed novels. However, an examination of Alphonse Frankenstein and Fanny Crowne reveals the true meanings of the novels. Alphonse Frankenstein creates his son’s need to leave behind a legacy of greatness and contributes to Victor’s desire to create a monster. Fanny Crowne reveals the preference of consumerism over morals and the development of the civilized society. Victor

Fanny’s hypnotic phrases, dating suggestions, and the idea of chivalry all show the roles of men and women in society and the preference of social stability. Huxley uses Fanny Crowne to symbolize a normal member of the society while the reader tends to focus on the exceptions such as Bernard an examination of Fanny reveals the values of society. For instance, Lenina reveals that she has been considering monogamy with Henry Foster to Fanny. Fanny immediately responds negatively and then reasons with a hypnotic phrase: “after all, every one belongs to every one else” (Huxley 43). Fanny reasons with her hypnotic phrase and connects monogamy with disorder and perceives it as unnatural. Huxley then shows that Fanny’s negative response with the hypnotic phrase represents a normal response in the society. Lenina even describes Fanny as: “a particularly sensible girl” (39). Therefore, Fanny’s minor role actually furthers the plot by proving the power of the hypnotic phrases to control the society. Fanny also exemplifies the ideal of dating in the society. Fanny maintains multiple relationships at a time and explains why Lenina should follow suit: “it’s not as if there is anything painful or disagreeable about having one or two men besides Henry… you ought to be a little more promiscuous” (43). Fanny demonstrates the obsession of sex and pleasure in the society. She chooses to have multiple partners because of her own personal pleasure. She uses no reasoning nor morality and instead focuses on her own self-interest. Furthermore, she and the rest of society perceives multiple partners as a requirement of the citizens as shown by: “you ought to be…promiscuous” (43). Fanny demonstrates the foundation of society on sex and pleasure. These pillars of society are further shown by Fanny’s description of the ideal gentleman. Lenina describes how Henry Foster has multiple women and