"John had refused to come because he didn't like her. He didn't like her... 'It really is a bit too thick,' the Head Mistress of Eton was saying to the Director of Crematoria and Phosphorus Reclamation." -pg. 174
While it might not look like it, the above quote is a pun. In order to fully understand it, you would have to have read the book up to this point. The pun is that Lenina thinks she is too thick and fat, and that is the reason John doesn't like her. Therefore, when the Head Mistress of Eton says 'It really is a bit too thick' out of context, it ironically fits in with what Lenina was saying. The purose of this pun is to interrupt the serious tone. The pun brings a light-hearted tone into the seriousness. In the midst of disappointment, low self-esteems, and let downs, a pun lightens the mood and encourages the reader to keep reading. It is effective because it has another couple play on words after it, engaging the reader and keeping them interested.
No comments:
Post a Comment