Why is lenina pneumatic

But in the novel, the main characters aren't left in a stagnant stage of normalcy. They're continually challenged by strange and unusual circumstances. Bernard, always unpopular, suddenly gets famous. John, used to the Savage Reservation, is thrown into "civilized" London. Helmholtz, accustomed only to hypnopaedia, is introduced to Shakespeare. The pattern is no different for Lenina. Used to emotionless sex and instant gratification, Lenina is finally denied her sexual impulses. Used to men wanting nothing more than to go to bed with her, she has to deal with a guy who doesn't want to have sex at all.

Expectedly, this causes Lenina a good amount of distress. And it raises an important question: does Lenina really love John, or is this simply a case of wanting what you can't have? Well, look at the way Lenina talks about him. Is she struck by the capacity of his mind? Not exactly. Does she wonder at his individuality? Not really. Is she in awe of his morality? Mmm… no, not so much. It's more about his body.

Actually, it's all about his body. When she first meets him, her thoughts are as follows: "…such a nice-looking boy, […] and a really beautiful body. When Bernard expresses a wish that they hadn't slept together so soon, Lenina thinks it means she is too plump. She's too focused on her body to realize that Bernard is expressing a genuine care for her.

Now I am having second thoughts, and there may also be a reference to 'pneuma' - Greek for breath, and with a theological connection to life. But I am fairly sure he would have read T S Eliot's Whispers of Immortality : Grishkin is nice: her Russian eye Is underlined for emphasis; Uncorseted, her friendly bust Gives promise of pneumatic bliss.

Click to expand In reference to Lenina it means well-rounded, balloon-like, or bouncy, in reference to her flesh, and in particular her bosom. Huxley is not the only writer to use the word pneumatic in this sense, although it is an unusual usage. Thank you so much for all your help. The word "pneumatic" does keep popping up. I read the novel as a kid and didn't have a clue. Recently I thought I could try and re-read it. It's much easier this time, but still Thanks again.

I may have to be back, though. When I read this novel I assumed that pnuematic meant plump or fat. I read into the book that Huxley was reversing all our conventional ideas e. I could be wrong though, I was still quite young and relatively innocent when I read it about 11 or 12 , and might not have caught on to the breast idea. Panpan said:.

Welcome to the forum, Proud What do you mean by "the act"? I meant the act of making love, sex I'm sorry if I wasn't clear enough in my expressions. Etyman New Member English - American. She represents the rare potential to see beyond conditioning, but cannot live freely. Previous John the Savage. Next Linda. Removing book from your Reading List will also remove any bookmarked pages associated with this title.