Huxleys
thirteenth chapter continues the struggle between Lenina and the Savage: Lenina trying to
seduce him and the Savage trying to resist her advances. Fanny, Leninas friend and
changing partner, doesnt understand her obsession with the Savage, telling her she
can have any of millions of men. Yet still, Lenina feels a strange attraction to the
Savage. Finally, Lenina
decides to be bold, so she barges into the Savages room and begins to take her
clothes off, hoping to seduce the Savage. But John thinks he has to prove himself worthy,
something Lenina doesnt understand, and resists her lustful pleas. "In
Malpais," he says, "people get married." This of course is incomprehensible
to Lenina who has been conditioned to one night stands. She doesnt understand his
attempt at chivalry. The Savage even tries to quote Shakespeare, saying, "the
strongest suggestion our worser genius can, shall never melt mine honour into lust."
Soon the Savage begins to react violently
to her advances, forcing Lenina to take refuge in the bathroom. Finally, when the Savage
leaves the room, she stealthily sneaks out of the bathroom and back to her own room. |