Chapter 15

Summary

When John enters the lobby of the hospital, workers who are signing off for the day are queuing to receive their ration of soma. They are mainly Bokanovsky twins.

John is reminded of Miranda’s words from ‘The Tempest’ “O brave new world”. 

Stricken with grief and disappointment concerning Utopia, he decides to see if he can encourage these workers to rebel. 

He tries to encourage them to give up using soma, and starts hurling the drug out of the window.  This only produces a riot, as the Delta slaves do not wish freedom.  They attack him and the riot is broken up by the state Police who use Synthetic Anti-Riot Speech No. 2 (Medium strength) and the release of a cloud of soma vapor. 

Interpretation

Bokanovsky twins are produced through a process where a human egg has its normal development halted, whereupon it starts to bud producing multiple identical eggs.

Huxley describes ways in which peace is preserved in Utopia, and shows that there are contingency plans for riots.

John is surprised that he is not able to incite rebellion against the Brave New World. In fact the masses’ reaction is to protect their beloved slavery.

The doctor advises John that his mother will be with Ford in Flivver, a play on words of God in Heaven. Ford is, of course, established as the Brave New World analogue for God. 

Again, John uses Shakespeare when addressing the Delta slaves using Mark Antony’s famous speech in Julius Caesar beginning, “Friends, Romans, countrymen.”

It is interesting that Huxley sees the control in the Brave New World through drugs, as opposed to violence.

In George Orwell’s �’, control was obtained through fear and violence.