Brave New World Chapters 4-6 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

To what class does the elevator operator belong, and how is he described?

Epsilon. He was tall and wore a black tunic.

How is Bernard different from other Alphas, and what is rumored to have caused his differences?

He is short and slender; alcohol caused this.

Why do Bernard and Helmholtz Watson feel out of place?

Bernard feels out of place because he is too small, while Helmholtz feels out of place because he's too smart.

What thoughts have been recently plaguing Helmholtz?

The lack of poetry and how he loves to write it. Signup and view all the answers

How is transportation different for different castes?

Alphas and Betas can own helicopters, while Gammas, Deltas, and Epsilons can't use them unless operating it. Signup and view all the answers

What is the crematorium and what is it used for?

The crematorium burns adult corpses and recovers phosphorus from smoke stacks. Signup and view all the answers

What is unusual about the 'Bottle of Mine' song?

The song is sung in an upbeat tone but conveys that people never wished to be born. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Lenina able to remember her birth control precautions despite taking too much soma?

Years of hypnopaedia conditioning her to remember and Malthusian drill 3 times a week beginning at age 12. Signup and view all the answers

Summarize the events of the Solidarity Service.

12 men and women sit around a circular table, pass ice cream soma, listen to hymns, and conclude with chanting 'orgy-porgy' and a sex orgy. Signup and view all the answers

What does Bernard do that makes him feel more out of place at the Solidarity Service?

Bernard wants to go for a walk and be away from people. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the Solidarity Service section of the chapter?

Replaces the need for religion and worship of a god. Signup and view all the answers

What does Bernard want to do on his date with Lenina that she finds odd?

Go for a walk and be away from people. Signup and view all the answers

What is revealed about Bernard after his first date with Lenina?

He did not want to have sex the first night. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the D.H.C. and his Beta-Minus date when he visited the New Mexico Reservation 25 years ago?

She was lost during a storm and was never found. Signup and view all the answers

To where does the D.H.C. warn Bernard he will send him if he continues his current behavior?

Iceland Sub-Center. Signup and view all the answers

How does what Bernard and Lenina find waiting for them in their hotel room establish details of the setting?

They find liquid air, a TV, vacuum massage, radio, boiling caffeine solution, contraceptives, and 8 scents. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of what Bernard remembers he left running back at home?

Bernard left his Eau de Cologne tap running. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Class and Society

The elevator operator belongs to the Epsilon class, characterized by his tall stature and black tunic.
Bernard Marx, an Alpha, stands out as he is short and slender, rumored to have been affected by alcohol during gestation, highlighting societal rejection of differences.

Individuality and Alienation

Bernard feels alienated due to his physical appearance; Helmholtz Watson feels out of place due to his intelligence, both representing individuals in a conformist society.
Helmholtz grapples with a lack of poetic inspiration, illuminating themes of creation and self-expression amidst oppression.

Transportation and Class Privileges

Alphas and Betas can utilize helicopters for transport, while Gammas, Deltas, and Epsilons lack this privilege unless they pilot the vehicles themselves, reflecting mobility disparities.

The Crematorium's Role

The crematorium is utilized to burn corpses and recover phosphorus for agricultural use, showcasing a utilitarian approach to death.
Lenina finds it irrational that all castes produce the same emissions from cremation processes.

Reaction to Death and Engineering

Henry views the crematorium as a marvel of engineering, contrasting with Lenina's more casual acceptance of the process.

Cultural Commentary

The "Bottle of Mine" song expresses a bleak irony; its upbeat delivery contrasts with the dark sentiment of wishing not to be born.

Conditioning and Control

Lenina's ability to remember birth control protocols, despite being under the influence of soma, results from years of hypnopaedia, beginning training at age 12.

Collective Experiences

The Solidarity Service features rituals combining social bonding with hedonism, replacing traditional religious practices.
Bernard's desire for solitude during the Service exemplifies his deeper disconnection from societal norms.

Personal Relationships and Societal Expectations

Bernard's unconventional wish to walk alone on a date with Lenina reveals his nonconformity, as he initially resists societal expectations of sexual promiscuity.

D.H.C.'s Past and Discipline

The D.H.C. recounts a past incident involving a lost date, emphasizing the disconnect between personal history and societal norms.
Bernard is threatened with exile to Iceland for his behavior but responds rebelliously, indicating a sense of personal agency.

Setting and Contextual Contrast

Bernard and Lenina's hotel room is filled with advanced technology and various services that emphasize the stark differences between their world and current times, lacking basic toiletries.

Bernard's Domestic Concerns

Bernard's concern over a running Eau de Cologne tap symbolizes his internal struggles with conformity; he is hindered from addressing it personally, hinting at his precarious position within society.

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Test your knowledge on Chapters 4-6 of Aldous Huxley's 'Brave New World' with these flashcards. The quiz explores key characters, class distinctions, and societal values presented in these chapters. Dive deep into the themes and character developments introduced by the author.