Chapter IV - Overall Analysis

In this chapter, we get a more in-depth look into Bernard and how he is basically in complete lust for Lenina (which most of the males are). We also meet a new character, Helmholtz Watson, who is the same and yet completely opposite of Bernard.

What intrigued me in this chapter was the contrast between Bernard Marx and Henry Foster. Henry spends nights with Lenina often and is known as a good man in society. However, he seems to be more interested in statistics than Lenina. When Lenina meets him for their date, he comments on how she was four minutes late. Apparently Foster is a man of punctuality - in our society, we are taught to treat significant others with the utmost respect, but in this society it seems that punctuality and stability is much more important. This is just another example of how emotionless the society is compared to ours and around the world.

I like the fact that we learn more of Bernard in this chapter. He is an intriguing character with all of his self-esteem issues and internal conflicts. Bernard feels insecure about his abnormal stature (which is more of a Gamma than of an Alpha) and thus acts and thinks differently due to the fact his peers treated him differently. I think this is a fascinating comparison to our society, as it is pretty much the same. The more we are treated differently due to something that seems 'off' to our peers, the more different we act to compensate in order to struggle to fit into the society.

However, although I like that Bernard is differently, I do not like that he is such a coward and is always whining. It is off-putting. I can understand how the constant criticism can lead to insecurity, but Bernard's is so far that he pities himself. Such insecurity makes me feel dislike for his character.

Helmholtz Watson on the other hand is a most amazing character. He is the opposite of Bernard in the sense of self-assurance and self-esteem as he is everything that Bernard wishes he could be - tall, built, 'every centimetre of an Alpha-Plus'. Even though Helmholtz has everything going for him, he is still dissatisfied. Unlike Bernard, he does not talk idly and childishly of his insecurities, which makes me like him as a character more. He and Bernard provide the 'light' and 'dark' of the insecurities, such as a 'popular' person compared to an 'un-popular' person - both may have insecurities and be different, but one can handle it more efficiently than the other. It is an interesting juxtaposition in my eyes.