BNW Response #3

In the discussion between Mustapha Mond and John Savage about civilization in chapter 17, it’s very apparent of their opposite mind sets. Mond’s argument boils down to him thinking society is perfectly fine the way it is. He feels it’s okay to let the leaders in society control people’s emotions and minds, and explains to John why society has no need for God, as the citizens don’t fear death. Mond goes on saying everything negative and bad have been taken out of society. There is no need to leave or question the State because everyone is happy.

John’s argument focuses on being an individual and having the ability to make decisions where they are good or bad. John wants to learn and feel emotion! He feels people should be able to learn from their mistakes and not take soma to make them feel better. When he says, “What you need is something with tears for a change,” John’s argument is clear: feelings are necessary to have a compatible, free society. “Nothing costs enough here,” also hints that when everything is free, only materialistic things are gained; nothing is learned because nothing is given up. John wants individuality and intelligence to have value, and it has to come with a price.