Chapter XIII - Overall Analysis

In this chapter, Lenina decides that, with the help of soma, she will try to make John 'hers', but John, being extremely moral, lashes against her as she undresses and tries to make a move.

Lenina is depressed, as she feels that John does not like her at all. She takes soma and tries to have other men but finds herself feeling depressed afterwards still. It is interesting that someone from the society is having depressive thoughts and feelings - especially about another man. I believe that Lenina is in love with John, but does not understand 'love' and what it means. Also, for some reason, she must have a fetish for 'odd' things, since she confesses to Fanny that John is the only man she wants, even though he is so queer. She also made this comment about Bernard at the beginning of the novel. Perhaps she feels the need to have something odd in her life; something that would create drama and instability in her perfect pneumatic life.

John is torn in this part of the book. He is obsessed and completely in love with Lenina, but his morals stop him from doing anything, especially since he believes he is unworthy of her love. When Lenina shows up randomly at Bernard's place, John breaks down and confesses that he is madly in love with Lenina who is, "...so perfect, so perfect and so peerless are created of every creature's best" (XIII, 166) or so he describes her. Such emotionally stirring passion creates irritation and confusion for Lenina. She wants to just 'have him' and he is rambling on and on about how he must make himself worthy enough to her love.
Two worlds collide - the perfect society and the radical savage. It is almost as if the relationship is meant to be doomed before it even starts. John is so in love with Lenina that he feels agony when he confesses love for her, because in his mind he must get married first and prove worthiness. Lenina, however, feels the need to just get undressed and get on with it - with no strings attached. That's why I find it hard to believe that she 'loves' him... I could see her being more obsessed with the idea of him than actually being in love with him.

John is horrified as Lenina begins to undress herself. He wants to be with her, but not like this - not when she is throwing away her morality and self-virtue. I loved that his conscience began to thunder Shakespearean words inside of his head. He describes them being silkily and soft, but as they are alluring they are also dangerous, 'Soft, soft, but how piercing! boring and drilling into reason, tunnelling through resolution' (XIII, 169) which is interesting because his conscience is warning him of danger and morality, but at the same time in a smooth magical way.

When Lenina presses herself against him, John's morality explodes into inexplicable fury. He called her a whore and impudent strumpet and slapped her on the back. His love for Lenina is powerless to the hold religion and morality has upon him - quite possibly due to Linda and her constant 'having' of men, such as Popé. As Lenina bolts to the bathroom, John begins to storm around the room in a beat of marching to drums and the 'magical words' (Shakespeare's words). It is odd - the magical words bring John joy and yet can easily create an atmosphere for hatred and pain. It is amazing how the power of words can create such powerful emotions. However, perhaps the pain and hatred John can exude, due to the words, are because Shakespeare wrote tragedies with a world of pain and broken love, never about happiness and the 'good guys' winning, which John subconsciously applies to his life.