Bernard Marx:
Karl Marx,
founder of socialism
Bernard Marx name refers to Karl Marx,the founder of socialism. Karl Marx developed a theory, the so called Marxism, in which the class system of society causes tension between the ‘ruling class’ and the ‘working class’. This internal tension would lead to its own self-destruction and would therefore be replaced by the new system, the socialism. This system is characterized by the equality of all people, which also resembles the ultimate aspiration in Marx’s point of view. According to him, only a classless, communist society could permanently exist and ensure satisfaction within its society.
Bernard Marx, an alpha plus, does not feel excepted in his own caste nor treated as being equal. This exclusion is what let’s him question the social system that he lives in. Eventhough the people from one caste should be defined and seen as being ‘equals’, Bernard does not feel as being an equal part of his caste. Bernard Marx therefore resembles the counterpole to Marx’s theory. The caste itself could be seen as being the perfect society, in Karl Marx’s opinion. Due to the similarity of the caste members in their development and chances in life everyone should be happy within his own caste. But Bernard isn’t. This makes him an ironic counterpole to Marx’s theory, as he feels unhappy in a caste where everybody is equal and similar. It’s ironic due to the fact that Bernard is not unhappy with the whole system of society, but only his difference is making him lust for success and something new. Therefore Bernard does not want to change the other castes or even his own caste, but he only really want’s to change himself.
George Bernard Shaw,
Irish playwright, socialist
George Bernard Shaw was an Irish playwrite and probably the inspiration for Bernard’s first name. Shaw was a socialist and was known for fighting for equal political rights for women. Bernard himself disapproves that Lenina is being treated as an sexual object and could therefore also be seen as rejecting the common beliefs of how women should be treated or seen and as supporting women in that sense.
Lenina Crowne:
Vladimir Lenin,
Russian revolutionary communist, Leader of the Soviet Union (1920s)
Leninas first name refers to Vladimir Lenin (1870-1924), whose a Russian revolutionary communist. He was a big supporter of Marxism and lead the Soviet Union in the 1920s. Since Lenina is more so a tool of the social system she doesn’t exactly live up to the expectation of her name. As Lenin was the leader of the Soviet Union and therefore a very powerful and influential man in his country and Lenina herself is not able to see behind her conditioning and therefore not an influential person at all concerning the government.
Lenina’s last name ‘Crowne’ could be in reference to the English dramatist John Crowne (1640-1703). Usually Crowne’s plays evolved around some sort of heroic and romantic love story. Since Lenina follows her sexual conditioning, she is not very romantic nor able to have a relationship, her last name can be understood as an ironic allusion.
Mustapha Mond:
Mustapha Kemal Atatürk,
Turkish statemen and general, tried to westernize the country
Mustapha Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938), from whom Mustapha Mond got his first name, was a Turkish statemen and general and played a big role in Turkish history. The reason why Mustapha Mond is named after Atatürk is that both are very influential and important persons to their societies. They are leaders, Mond is the Resident World Controller of Western Europe and Atatürk is leading the nation of Turkey. The name Mustapha points out Mond’s importance and his position.
Henry Foster:
Henry Foster could be named after the same named British naval officer and scientist, Henry Foster (1796-1831). Both Fosters have an interest in numbers and measurements, as the real Henry Foster was a scientist with discoveries in subjects in counjunction to sea travel, magnetism and pendulum measurements and the fictional Foster is obsessed with numbers and precision.
Fanny Crowne:
Fanny Brice,
American illustrated song model, comedian, singer, and theater and film actress
Fanny Crowne’s name is a referance to the actor Fanny Brice (1891-1951). Brice can be seen as a popular and cute girl that fulfills the image of the perfect woman, of that time. Since Crowne plays the role of a stereotypical, objectified sexual being she can be seen as being the ‘perfect’ woman in her caste and in society.
Helmholtz Watson:
Hermann von Helmholtz,
German physicist
Herman von Helmholtz (1821-1894) was a famous German physicist and the reason behind Watson’s first name ‘Helmholtz’. This referance could be an allusion to Watson’s philosophical and intellectual side, which you get to know in the course of the story in brave new world.
John Broadus Watson,
American psychologist, studied behaviorism
John Broadus Watson (1878-1958) was an American psychologist who established the theory that you can alter behaviour by conditioning. Since Helmholtz is a lecturer at the College of Emotional Engineering his last name ‘Watson’ could be in dependence on his job and therefore role in the social system.
John (the Savage):
John the Baptist,
major religious figure
John the Baptist is a biblical figure who also baptized Jesus Christ. Due to the fact that John (the Savage) is a very spiritual person and strongly interested in religion, faith and god it comes as no surprise that his name is a referance to this biblical person.
brave new world - The bookclub 