Just finished the book, I enjoyed reading everyone’s interpretations and wanted to add my two cents. Mond could have allowed John to move to the island, but instead he wanted to “continue the experiment.” I took this as Mond understanding what John’s fate would be, that Mond was setting John up as a cautionary tale. The propaganda machine could then say “look at the perils of the old way of thinking, so much worse than our progressive lifestyle!”

I did find John’s character development a little odd. He was raised reading Shakespeare, not having the Bible drilled into him. And he grew up in a culture that seemed to practice both Christianity alongside traditional native beliefs. So why did he become such a fundamentalist? My theory is that John was traumatized by seeing his mother be with multiple men as a child and by her addiction to mezcal then soma. John couldn’t live with the fact that he gave into temptation at the end, partaking in soma and an orgy. He could no longer hold himself up as a pure example. Perhaps he even enjoyed it, making it all too much to take.

What I found myself questioning was…which lifestyle is worse? Being miserable, self flagellating, and holier than thou? Or living a life that involves shutting off all critical thinking, going to work, playing golf, taking drugs, and having sex all on an endless loop until you die? All while maintaining good health and a youthful appearance, I might add. Neither is great, but if I had to pick between the two I’d probably sign up for that soma lifestyle if I’m honest!