A Few Questions About Brave New World

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Why are magnanimous relationships looked down upon?
Is there a meaning behind the drug "Soma"? Does "Soma" stand for something?
Why did Mustapha Mond agree to allow John and Linda to come back with Bernard?
Is there a reason why John compares his love for Lenina to Romeo and Juliet's relationship?

[Celmrb]

Why are magnanimous relationships looked down upon?

Is there a meaning behind the drug "Soma"? Does "Soma" stand for something?

Why did Mustapha Mond agree to allow John and Linda to come back with Bernard?

Is there a reason why John compares his love for Lenina to Romeo and Juliet's relationship?



1) I think you mean monogamous? - IMO they are looked down upon because the alphas are 'reared' to enjoy have no inhibitions about sex and to have sex with whoever they want and whenever they feel like. If they became monogamous - this would be more like a family and the females do not get pregnant as there is no need.

2) Soma is a plant that was used in Indian ceremonies.

3) IMO Mustapha Mond agreed for John and Linda to come back because he wanted to see how John in particular had fared being brought up in the savage reservation. It also gave him the opportunity to send Thomas (the director who had originally gone to the reservation with Linda) away to one of the Islands.

4) Don't know - be interesting to see other's opinions though!

[Iain Sparrow]

4) Don't know - be interesting to see other's opinions though!

I think it's not to be taken too seriously, that is it really doesn't mean anything special.
Unless I'm mistaken, John also compares his love for Lenina to Othello and Desdemona. It's been so long since I've read Brave New World it's all a bit of a blur.:)