Ontology refers to the study of the existence of all things and how they relate to each other. An author employs literary devices of an ontological nature in order to define objects or characters in terms of each other as well as connect objects or characters to each other. An author can also reference ontology when a character defines himself or herself in terms of the world and where they fit in to it. Lastly, if a character does not fit into the world in his own mind this creates anxiety due to a lack of ontological security; the character does not know how they fit in the he world and can no longer define their action or being with meaning. Ontology demonstrates the connection between objects, characters and the world as a whole.
In Brave New World, Huxley has created many characters that demonstrate a strife connecting to ontology. To begin with, Bernard is ostracized at the beginning of the novel based on his physical appearance compared to the rest of the Alphas. By being socially isolated, Bernard is excluded from much that the culture and society offer its members. Bernard is insecure with how he fits in the world due to his aloofness. Hence, ontological anxiety becomes a conflict for Bernard. Huxley employs this to create a motive for Bernard to go out into the world of the he Savages and bring back John. Furthermore, Watson is isolated from the majority culture throughout the plot. In the end, he is sent away from the mainland in order to prohibit his aloofness from influencing other members of the society. This demonstrates how the society Huxley creates has, in some manner, began to control the ontology of the society. The government controls where people are placed both from birth in a hierarchical standing as well as in mental aspects through soma and isolating radicals. Additionally, Huxley creates the greatest connection to ontology through John. John has the greatest strife about where he belongs in the he world. He is neither accepted in his original society of the Savages, nor does he fit into the society of the majority. This unresolved mental conflict may have been a large part of John's eventual decision to commit suicide. John cannot define his connections to the world, and, hence, he has a hard time creating meaning for his actions as well as his life. Huxley demonstrates the significance of ontological understanding through many of his characters; in doing so, Huxley creates the motives for these characters as well as the society as a whole.
In the song Who Am I? from Les Miserables, the character singing, John Valjean, is debating whether or not to reveal his true identity to a French soldier. In doing so, he would admit that he is a fugitive, but he would save the life of another that is being assumed to be him. His question of "Who am I?" is directed at himself. The consideration of ontology connects to Valjean deciding how he wants to relate to the world. He can live free but then he would "be no more than an alibi." Therefore, he decides to reveal himself and his number that designates him as one who has committed crime as he proclaims himself: "I am John Valjean... 24601!". In fact, the title itself demonstrates Valjean's mental debate of where he belongs in the world. Throughout the song, ontology and the question of where to fit into the world and with others is debated.
Below is a link to the movie version of the song:
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