Devin's+Sestina

Red: Figurative language Blue: Inverted Syntax


 * A Meaningful Riot **

In this scene involving the Savage named John, the throwing of soma upsets quite a few Deltas. They believe that it is their surgery, that the soma fixes all problems. But John does not fight alone in this riot; Helmholtz joins in with a “laugh of exultation”, and shares a dislike of society. The scene makes it clear; these two have chosen a side!

John and Helmholtz are alone in their side, as shown by their sole partnership against the “redoubled fury” of the Deltas. John represents the worst possible citizen, for he does not swallow the rules of society. This is much unlike the others, as it is the duty of all good Deltas. Symbolic was the violent riot , not merely a clash over a box of soma.

If looked at without the soma, the conflict is certainly that of people who fight against those of the other side. It is John and Helmholtz, together in their riot against the paradigm of their society. Raw emotion is exemplified by John and controlled, conditioned life is shown by the Deltas. This conflict is, in many ways, a fight over the rules of a society.

Speaking of the members of society, Bernard was certainly one who was on the fence. He lacked a fervent hatred of soma but also disliked the sheep known as Deltas. He, unfortunately, could not pick a side and remained in “an agony of humiliated indecision”, far away from the wrath of John. But in the end, poor Bernard was reprimanded just the same for the riot.

The end of it all was also quite important; the police came to the riot and put a swift and efficient end to it. It is definitely a generalization of their society; the government reinforces conditioning and drugs the citizens. Even John is unable to resist the powerful vapor of soma. Regardless of one’s beliefs, it is evident that the government can switch your side, and vulnerable you are, like one of those Deltas.

In the end, Huxley uses this peculiar situation with John and the Deltas to create a metaphorical riot. Each man picks a side and each side represents a viewpoint on society. One favors the conditioning and soma, while the other is against it with every fiber of his being, much like John.

Bernard could not pick a side, but was punished all the same after the incident of soma. The Deltas were pacified, but only after giving a “scratched neck” and a “cut lip” to John. Thus, their society was built to handle problems; a burst of soma and poof goes the riot.