A Brave New World Chapter 11

1. Why is Dr. Shaw glad to "have had this opportunity to see an example of senility in a human being." (155)

-Because he is getting to send Linda into eternity by dosing her with a bunch of soma. Typically this isn't permitted because the people usually have things to get done, however LInda doesn't because she is a savage. Therfore, she doesn't belong to a particular caste.

2. Why are people saying behind Bernard's back that, "he won't find another Savage to help him out a second time."

-Well, I think that they envy him slightly. Also, they probably aren't enjoying all of the attention that Bernard is getting, because it is throwing things off from the norm.

3. Why do the Eton students in the Beta-Minus geography room laugh at the religious activities of "savages"? Why do you think it is significant that there are no twins at Eton? Do you think that is still true today?

-Well, they were probably conditioned to laugh at it. It is significant that there are no twins because it is the first time that every one is actually an individual, rather than the exact replica of everyone else. And, as for today, no twin is the exact replica of someone else. But everyone is an individual today, which is what makes this sort of similiar to the fact that there aren't ant twins at Eton.

4. How do children in the World State learn about death?

-Starting at 18 months, they spend two mornings every week in a hospital where people are dying. Toys are kept there, and they recieve a special treat on the day that someone dies. This basically enables them to not be afraid of death. "They learn to take dying as a matter of course."

5. Why do lower-caste workers receive daily Soma rations? Do we do this today?

- Probably to get them to keep working. I think this is sort of like today's society... lower castes get paid minimum wage, but they are still getting paid so that they continue to work. They get extra soma on Saturday, just as some of us may get time and a half for working overtime.

6. Why does John tell Lenina that, "I don't think you ought to see things like that." (169)

-Because he doesn't want her to feel like she isn't perfect because she is not like what she is seeing.