In his novel Brave New World, Aldous Huxley uses acute details and comprehensive explanations to convey themes and symbolism. His use of explicit interpretation provides readers with a candid account of the emotions, thinking, and opinions of not only the characters, but of the meaning of the novel as a whole. Huxley's writing style and tone are representative of the exact and specific world in which the story takes place, the "World State", where every aspect of citizens' lives is controlled, even the color they wear. While this style is effective in describing aspects of the state, Huxley pairs it with some ambiguity to cast a shadow over the denouement of his novel, leaving readers with uncertainty that can be confused with inadequacy. “Just below the top of the arch were a couple of feet dangling. . . Slowly, very slowly, like two unhurried compass needles, the feet turned to the right; north, north-east, east, south-east, south, south-southwest; then he paused and, after a few seconds, turned equally calmly to the left. South-south-west, south, south-east, east...” In Brave New World, Aldous Huxley appropriately ends his novel with the vague description of John's suicide, as it provides a conclusion through irony, shows finality using poetic language and denotes emotion through symbolism. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Because Huxley's novel is made up of distinct details, its contrasting and ambiguous conclusion incorporates irony to fittingly conclude the novel by illustrating the vision of death in Brave New World. The lack of explicit mention of John's death helps set the tone previously set in the novel that death is no big deal, but rather a cause for treats. The use of the phrase "he dangled a pair of feet" does not directly state John's death, but it provides enough detail for readers to assume his suicide. This means that in the new world death is not recognized, but is generally ignored. John's death is not considered significant in the novel because the characters have been conditioned not to associate it with negative emotions, even though we as readers do. This contrast provides a fitting conclusion because it re-establishes the theme of suffering, or the lack thereof, in society. Along with the incomplete reaction to his death is the recognition of the theme of freedom and confinement, as John chooses to leave the new world he is presented with and which he finds he despises by hanging himself. Suicide is never mentioned in the entire novel, and it's definitely an idea that the citizens of the World State aren't even aware of. The irony of the use of suicide and its uncertain and reckless nature show John's hasty escape from the world and his confinement in a rather explicit, yet ambiguous way. Huxley's ironic use of shadow details provides contrast and closure to the novel, and appropriately concludes Brave New World, because it powerfully incorporates the theme of suffering, as well as freedom and confinement. Another important theme of the novel, technology and acuity, is shown in Huxley's simile of John's feet as a compass. “Slowly, very slowly, like two unhurried compass needles, the feet turned to the right; north, north-east, east, south-east, south, south-southwest; then he paused and, after a few seconds, turned equally calmly to the left. South-south-west, south, south-east, east…” This comparison can lead readers to the idea of technology, compass and acuity, the continuous description of)
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