Why does John commit suicide at the end of the novel “Brave New World?”

Answer

Why does John commit suicide at the end of the novel “Brave New World?” [2020]

Aldous Huxley (1894–1963) ends “Brave New World” with the tragic death of John the Savage. John’s suicide is not sudden. It grows from his deep conflict with the artificial world around him. He cannot live in a society that kills faith, love, and freedom.

Conflict between Two Worlds: John belongs to both the natural and the mechanical world. He was born on the Reservation but later lived in the World State. In both places, he is an outsider. The Reservation rejects him as impure, while the World State mocks his emotions. This double rejection breaks his heart and mind. 

Disgust for the World State: John hates the shallow and immoral life of London. People there take soma to forget pain and follow empty pleasures. Mustapha Mond explains, 

“Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the overcompensation for misery.”

This false happiness disgusts John. He sees people worship machines, not God. The world’s comfort without conscience fills him with guilt and anger.

Failure of Love and Purity: John’s love for Lenina turns into pain. He dreams of her as pure but sees her as corrupted by the State’s sexual culture. During the riot, she joins the crowd that mocks him. He cries, 

“I ate civilization.”

His body and soul feel poisoned by her world. Unable to escape its sin, he punishes himself with a whip. 

Isolation and Final Despair: John hides in a lighthouse to seek peace. But people follow him for entertainment. They film his prayers and pain, turning his purity into a show. He loses the last hope for silence and dignity. Overcome by shame after the wild orgy, he hangs himself.

In short, John’s suicide reveals his complete despair. He cannot accept a life without faith, purity, or pain.