Brave New Word

Aldous Huxley's novel, Brave New World, is full of symbolism and representation of a possible future society. However, the novel has a bit of irony in it too. This stems mainly from John's ultimate reaction to society, his escape and ultimate suicide. When John is found by Bernard on the Reservation, he sees society as a huge gift. There, he believes he will be accepted and find other like-minded people. It is here that the irony lies. For in the society, everyone is like-minded, but not in the way John is. John's "brave new world" is not like the one from his Shakespeare stories, and therefore he cannot tolerate it. When he can no longer live with the guilt from his actions, he goes back to his roots, punishing and cleansing himself as the Indians taught him to do. The biggest irony is, during his misery in his exile to atone, the Savage is often visited by the people of the city, who are fascinated by his unpredictability. The would yell "we want whip", (256) ironically crying out for the instrument of his torture. This irony ultimately leads to his decision to end his life.