How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Part.Paragraph)
Quote #31
He had almost finished whittling the stave into shape, when he realized with a start that he was singing-singing! […] Guiltily he blushed. After all, it was not to sing and enjoy himself that he had come here. It was to escape further contamination by the filth of civilized life; it was to be purified and made good; it was actively to make amends. He realized to his dismay that, absorbed in the whittling of his bow, he had forgotten what he had sworn to himself he would constantly remember—poor Linda, and his own murderous unkindness to her, and those loathsome twins, swarming like lice across the mystery of her death, insulting, with their presence, not merely his own grief and repentance, but the very gods themselves. He had sworn to remember, he had sworn unceasingly to make amends. And there was he, sitting happily over his bow-stave, singing, actually singing.…
He went indoors, opened the box of mustard, and put some water to boil on the fire. (18.38-9)
John punishes himself for both mental and physical transgressions. His goals for self-discipline are unbelievably lofty—we have to wonder if he wants to fail so that he will be justified in hurting himself.
Quote #32
"Splendid," he said to himself, as the Savage started his astonishing performance. "Splendid!" He kept his telescopic cameras carefully aimed—glued to their moving objective; clapped on a higher power to get a close-up of the frantic and distorted face (admirable!); switched over, for half a minute, to slow motion (an exquisitely comical effect, he promised himself); listened in, meanwhile, to the blows, the groans, the wild and raving words that were being recorded on the sound-track at the edge of his film, tried the effect of a little amplification (yes, that was decidedly better); was delighted to hear, in a momentary lull, the shrill singing of a lark; wished the Savage would turn round so that he could get a good close-up of the blood on his back—and almost instantly (what astonishing luck!) the accommodating fellow did turn round, and he was able to take a perfect close-up. (18.65)
We know from earlier scenes that the citizens of the World State are desensitized to human suffering, but this takes it to a whole new level. It is fitting that in this chapter—the climax of many threads, themes, and emotions in the novel—the reader's horrified reaction to this mockery of humanity peaks as well.