that science has replaced. John’s very existence questions the cold, mechanical life of the World State.
Symbol of Knowledge and Literature: John learns about life through The Complete Works of Shakespeare. His reading gives him moral and emotional depth. He quotes,
“A man can smile and smile and be a villain.”
This line shows his ability to see false appearances. His love for Shakespeare stands against the shallow entertainment of the World State. He finds in literature the truths of love, sorrow, and honor that people in London have forgotten. Thus, John becomes a symbol of wisdom and lost culture in a world of ignorance.
Symbol of Rebellion and Freedom: John rejects the artificial pleasures of the World State. He refuses soma, free sex, and blind happiness. He says,
“What would it be like if I were free—not enslaved by my conditioning.”
This quote, though spoken by Bernard, reflects John’s struggle for freedom. John’s rebellion is both moral and spiritual. He wants the right to feel pain, love, and sorrow. His desire for truth makes him a living protest against scientific slavery.
Symbol of Moral Purity and Faith: John believes in spiritual values that others ignore. At the Solidarity Service, people shout, “Oh, he’s coming!” to worship Ford instead of God. John sees this as blasphemy. He believes in purity, prayer, and discipline. When Lenina tries to seduce him, he cries out in pain and anger. His moral purity stands as a beacon of light in a dark world. His faith and conscience symbolize the human soul fighting against corruption.
Symbol of Tragic Truth and Sacrifice: John’s end carries the deepest symbolic meaning. He says,
“I ate civilization.”
By this line, he means that he is poisoned by its sin. He cannot live among people who have no feeling or faith. His whipping and final suicide show the death of true humanity in a heartless world. John’s tragedy is the tragedy of mankind, which is destroyed by its own progress. Through his death, Huxley demonstrates that science without morality leads to despair.
Now we can say that John the Savage is a powerful symbol of human conscience and natural truth. He represents the soul that suffers in a world ruled by machines and pleasure. His love for literature, purity, and freedom makes him the true “civilized man” among savages. His tragic death reminds readers that a society without faith, emotion, and morality can never achieve real happiness or peace.
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