While reading Brave New World, I've noticed that the color crimson is commonly used, specifically in chapter 5, with lines such as, "Crimson at the horizon, the last of the sunset faded," "T shone crimson against the night,"and " crimson twilight of the Embryo store." Furthermore, in chapter 5 we see a glimpse at what the society portrayed in Brave New World worship. The idea that consumerism and materialism, distributed by mass production has replaced God in the religious role of the society additionally exemplifies the use of crimson in this chapter. Doing some research I was able to discover that the color crimson usually symbolizes an individual's status, commonly the upper class, along with power. Additionally in the Elizabethan era, high church officials were seen wearing crimson ropes. It also represents humility and atonement , which are all seen in chapter 5 of the book, with Bernad Marx, "Separate and unatoned, while the others were being fused into the Greater Being; alone even in Morgana's embrace-much more alone indeed, more helplessly himself than he had ever been in his life before." We can infer that Albert Huxley's utilization of the color crimson in chapter 5 exemplifies the meaning of chapter 5 as a whole, the significant role that religion plays in society, however in Brave New World it is conveyed through consumerism, with "Ford" playing the role of god.
Sources: http://www.ehow.com/facts_7172355_crimson-mean-symbolically_.html
http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/2166122
-by: Mario Hernandez
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The color red in general is interwoven throughout all the chapters we have read. According to Huxley in ch.1 “darkness…was visible and crimson, like the darkness of closed eyes on a summer’s afternoon,” (pg 11). The people in this dystopia aren’t “open” to nature. As you stated, they are disillusioned by materialism and technology with the worshiping of ford. The fact that crimson goes back to the ruby embryo’s in ch.1 is a haunting reminder that they are conditioned to “only stand red light.” Like Lenina, they can’t handle what they weren’t conditioned to handle. That crimson T against the night is disillusionment of “community.” That’s just how this dystopia enjoys their people, with their eyes closed to any further meaning in life.
ReplyDeleteI am sure you mean Aldous Huxley. : )
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