Brave New World Characters

Ch. 3 Highlights…

Helmholtz Watson Bernard’s close friend and a typical “alpha male” Well liked by all, charming, highly intelligent, and very attractive. All women desire him. He has to turn away the ladies because everyone wants him. His “numbers” are off the charts! Works for the “College of Emotional Engineering” – an expert in Psychology Is “conditioned” but is aware of his conditioning and craves “individuality” and “free will”. He’s happy, but frustrated that he can’t “teach” people and help them “think” for themselves Very deep emotionally and intellectually (a rarity in this society) Understands art, beauty, and literature, but has to contain his knowledge. Courageous and bold- stands up for his rights and has conviction, unlike the wimpy Bernard

Lenina Crowne A beautiful woman who all the men desire. Often described as voluptuous and curvaceous She’s shallow, superficial, and “pneumatic” or full of air (perhaps emotionally and physically) Conforms to society, but still has feelings of rebellion (she’s sometimes unhappy/moody) Wants to go on dates and be monogamous with Henry Foster Works as a “vaccination specialist” Her friend “Fanny” often talks her out of it and helps her to conform better Wears a “malthusian belt” and has to take birth control (not a “freemartin”). Is often emotional, but covers it up by conforming and taking Soma

Bernard Marx An “alpha plus”, but others suspect he had alcohol mixed into his “blood surrogate” He’s shorter than most alphas and less “strong”- is VERY INSECURE and feels inferior to other alphas Intellectual and often depressed and moody, but refuses to numb his pain with soma Rebellious and wants to break the rules of society Hates conformity. Tries to take Lenina on “dates” and wants “privacy” so he can talk and get to know her Others notice his “strange behavior” because he does not look or act like the others Feels sorry for himself but fails to do anything about it Has strong feelings towards Lenina and gets jealous of Helmholtz and Henry Foster who talks about sleeping with Lenina and brags about it

Fanny A conventional woman who follows the rules and encourages her friend, Lenina, to do the same. She’s a “freemartin”- sterile She is promiscuous, materialistic, and superficial, just like a good woman of the “World State” Shallow, and not very intelligent

Henry Foster A conventional alpha male who follows the rules He’s obsessed with time, numbers, and punctuality A character who is basically the male version of Fanny Sleeps with Lenina and then brags about Lenina’s physique and tells others to “try” Lenina out for themselves He disgusts Bernard who loathes Henry’s superficiality

The “Director” the (DHC) The Director is the administrator or leader of the Central London Hatchery and Conditioning Centre. He is a threatening figure and wields a lot of power He gives guided tours of the Central Hatchery and Conditioning Center to prospective workers and students   (He’s not as powerful as the “World Controller”, Mustafa Mond)

Mustafa Mond- World Controller Mustapha Mond -  The Resident World Controller of Western Europe One of only ten World Controllers. Was once an ambitious, young scientist performing illicit research. When his work was discovered, he was given the choice of going into exile or training to become a World Controller. He chose to give up science, and now he censors scientific discoveries and exiles people for unorthodox beliefs. He also keeps a collection of forbidden literature in his safe, including Shakespeare and religious writings.