Close Betrayal

There is no doubt what Mustapha Mond says in Chapter 16 pg. 205, "Universal happiness keeps the wheels steadily turning: truth and beauty can't," and in Chapter 17 pg. 210, "Our civilization has chosen machinery and medicine and happiness. That's why I have to keep these books locked up in the safe. They're smut. People would be shocked if.." is true. The Savage growing up in Malpais shows how this theory of Mustapha's comes true. He was exposed to The Complete Works of William Shakespeare while young and this sparked new ideas in his mind. From corruption of fornication to honor and chivalry, John the Savage was able to develop and understand these new concepts. Under the influence of his mother Linda and his time spent in the civilized places of Western Europe, John understands much of what is going on in his new environment. Yet he is put to the test many times when his ideals of honor and chivalry must clash with the current ideals of the time and place he is in. Once at the rest-house John reminds himself not to touch the hand of Lenina after he remembers the passage from Romeo and Juliet, "Who even in pure and vestal modesty." Again he almost betrays his ideals when he is waiting for Helmholtz when Lenina arrives, but in the end triumphs turning away from comfort and happiness to truth and beauty. In both these cases he comes close to betraying his own beliefs and engaging in the accepted practices of that time. This comes to a climax when he is at the Park Lane Hospital for the Dying and attempts to stop the distribution of soma using the famous line from Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, "Lend me your ears..." Not only does the William Shakespeare book he read at an early age help shape his future, but also opens his eyes to what is going on like the soma distribution. John the Savage developed a perspective that was influenced by books that Mustapha keeps away in order to maintain happiness. Already John is creating turmoil with the conflict he caused at the Park Lane Hospital, something Mustapha knew would happen when books like William Shakespeare's made there way to the public.