the ending

[Neal]

The ending paragrah, and I may be completely wrong about this, tells that the Savage commited suicide. The imagry of his feet spinning in unison fits this:<br><br>"...the feet turned towards the right; north, north-east, east, south-east, south, south-west, then paused, and, after a few seconds, turned as unhuriedly back towards the left. South-south-west, south, south-east, east..."<br><br>It brings to mind the way a wieght tied on a wound string spins when released until it unwinds, winds again, causing it to stop momentarily, and reverses direction. Mr. Savage hated the 'utopia' and so when he found himself submiting to it (the orgy), his utter depression, his disappointment in the world, was his reason for suicide. That's how I read the ending.

[Amanda M]

Throughout his whole life John was looking for direction. He was unhappy on the reservation so he thought he would be happy in the world state but he was unhappy there too. The spinning of john at the end is to shown that even in death John is still looking for direction.

[K]

This ending (John's suicide) is absolutely necessary as the main theme of the novel is the individual's conflict with a totally consumerist society. It demonstrates how John is out of place in both worlds and could never adapt to living in the Brave New World because of his strong morals versus the superficial nature of 'Civilisation'. It is John's final act of individuality and reveals that Huxley believes a truely utopian world will never be possible. John represents the values of the reader, and so his suicide therefore represents both our and Huxley's disgust at the superficial and consumerist nature of the BNW, and the lack of true feelings

[Andre Young]

Savage hung himself.

[Bill B]

I agree with Neal. The ending is supposed to show that John had finally given up in his search for whatever he was looking for. I don't know if I would go as far as Amanda though. Although that theory is very interesting, I think that Huxley was just trying to find a poetic way to describe the scene of John dangling from the rope and not necessarilly trying to make the point that he was still looking for something he couldn't find.

[Cindy]

I agree with Bill and Neal. I wonder though, how much of the spinning actually has to do with the nature of civilization itself. Civilization which seems to go forward with never a look back tends to repeat itself and its mistakes over and over again. And in doing so, it tends to forget what it has done in the past, so perhaps the image of John turning back the way he came from is also an allusion towards society's repetition of past mistakes in a new way. Of course, maybe I am just reading too much in to it. Too many university English classes will make us all do that!

[J.T.R]

The last paragraph is basically just the savage twisting back and forth on a rope. I guess if you had to give it some meaning It could mean that no matter where he went he could not escape" The Brave New World".<br> I figured most of this book on my own; thats the best way to it yourself.<br> When ever we've read a book in my lit class the teacher screws it up.

[anna]

Just one thing, I don't understand the ending? It kind of ends abruptly. I get that the Savage must of participated in some kind of orgie, but what's with the very last paragraph? The last paragraph probably could have been done without. ???? Can someone explain?