Chapter 8

Summary

Bernard persuades John to tell him his life story. His life has been a mixture of happy and unhappy events, how he tried in vain to break up Linda’s relationship with her lover, Pope, and also how he obtained a copy of Shakespeare’s works, the only book that he ever had, and which greatly influenced his childhood and his life today. His biggest regret is that has never been accepted as a member of the Indian community. 

Bernard is able to sympathize with John’s loneliness - as he and Linda are both unhappy here, why don’t they come back to London? John is delighted.

Interpretation

This chapter provides the basis of John’s character through the narration concerning his childhood.  John’s conversation is punctuated with quotes from Shakespeare, which over the years has enabled him to obtain understanding of how a true society should work.

Huxley cleverly compares the theories of the Fordian society with the Indian culture that all belongs to one god.  He makes the same comparison between Shakespeare’s verse and the propaganda of Utopia, and finally the pagan rites of the natives are compared to the intricate devices of the Brave New World.