Essay Rough Draft: (1979)

Choose a complex and important character in a novel or a play of
recognized literary merit who might, on the basis of the character’s actions alone,
be considered evil or immoral. In a well-organized essay, explain both how and
why the full presentation of the character in the work makes us react more
sympathetically than we otherwise might. Avoid plot summary.

       In Brave New World Huxley portrays John as an immoral person in many different ways. The most clear way was by naming him John the savage. As the book goes on it becomes more and more apparent that John is immoral by the World State's standards because he refuses premarital sex, he cares about death, is against the use of soma, and demands emotional commitment. The people within the society do not understand him because they are all told to believe in certain things from the day they are born, which leaves John to be an outsider due to their opposing beliefs. This ultimately leaves the reader no choice but to feel sympathetic towards him.
       In the World State everyone is taught to believe in a certain way of living, anyone who believes different is looked at as immoral. John "the Savage" was looked at as immoral by the World State due to the fact that he was unable to adapt to their society and their beliefs. He didn't believe in the use of soma, the way people "have each other", and almost anything else the people of society believed in. At one point we even see him throw soma out of a window which is seen as immoral by the World State. Huxley uses indirect characterization by naming him John "The Savage", to show the reader right up front that he is an immoral character.
       From the moment we meet John until the end of the book when we find out that he hung himself, we see that he is constantly punishing himself. For example, when John finds himself enjoying making tools while he is in the 'wilderness', he punishes himself for the fact of enjoyment. "But, John... I thought you were... I mean, aren't you?...", Lenina doesn't understand why John wont have her, even though he likes her. John punishes himself when he thinks of Lenina in an intimate way because he sees it as an impure thought. We can relate to John because he wants to be good, just like we do. Us as readers can't help but feel for him in this situation because he wants to be with her more than anything, but can't be due to the lack of emotional commitment on her part.
       To someone that has not read the book john may seem like a normal guy, but to someone that has read the book and sees that Huxley is portraying the World Sate to be the "normal" civilization will note that John is immoral, due to the fact that he goes against all their beliefs. Huxley causes us to fully see John's immorality when he kills himself at the end of the book. No matter what angle you look at this, whether it's from the World State's or from your own personal view, the act of one committing suicide is seen as immoral.
        John's character was created by Huxley to be the protagonist in the novel and in some ways make the World State seem less immoral. As the book goes on Huxley makes John seem more immoral and out of place. This is what causes us to feel sympathetic towards him, he becomes so lonely and frustrated that he turns to suicide. Huxley used that as a way to connect the readers life to the book because this sort of thing happens in the real world.