"The words galvanized Bernard into violent and unseemly activity. "Send me to an island?" He jumped up, ran across the room, and stood gesticulating in front of the Controller. "You can't send me. I haven't done anything. lt was the others. I swear it was the others." He pointed accusingly to Helmholtz and the Savage. "Oh, please don't send me to Iceland. I promise I'll do what I ought to do. Give me another chance. Please give me another chance." The tears began to flow. "I tell you, it's their fault," he sobbed. "And not to Iceland. Oh please, your fordship, please …" And in a paroxysm of abjection he threw himself on his knees before the Controller. Mustapha Mond tried to make him get up; but Bernard persisted in his groveling; the stream of words poured out inexhaustibly.
In the end the Controller had to ring for his fourth secretary."Bring three men," he ordered, "and take Mr. Marx into a bedroom. Give him a good soma vaporization and then put him to bed and leave him."The fourth secretary went out and returned with three green-uniformed twin footmen. Still shouting and sobbing. Bernard was carried out.
"One would think he was going to have his throat cut," said the Controller, as the door closed. "Whereas, if he had the smallest sense, he'd understand that his punishment is really a reward. He's being sent to an island. That's to say, he's being sent to a place where he'll meet the most interesting set of men and women to be found anywhere in the world. All the people who, for one reason or another, have got too self-consciously individual to fit into community-life. All the people who aren't satisfied with orthodoxy, who've got independent ideas of their own. Every one, in a word, who's any one. I almost envy you, Mr. Watson."Helmholtz laughed."
Aldous Huxley - Brave New World - chapter xvi page 224
Worlds are magic, writers are shamans - it is interesting how our world is becoming Brave New World. Time for a gathering soon in Iceland of all the people who, for one reason or another, have got too self-consciously individual to fit into community-life. All the people who aren't satisfied with orthodoxy, who've got independent ideas of their own.
4 comments:
Saving up for the plane ticket!
Keep up the great work! Iceland is a model for the rest of the world to follow!!
Soo... when / where is this party? Inquiring minds want to know!
The letter of riposte to the 27th meeting was both courageous & very accurate - at least someone is thinking clearly. I say that as the Greek government disintegrates on 2nd Nov.
Stay safe & stay friendly, Icelanders!
(publish anon 'cause the Name/Url field seems broken?)
It really isn’t. That’s just how western liberal types like to fantasise about Iceland. Having visited here every tee for the past 15 years and lived here for 3, the people are nice enough but the government is anything but liberal. Somewhat overbearing infact, and far more conservative than you’d think.
Post a Comment