The protagonist of Brave New World shifts towards the middle of the book. At first the reader is introduced to Bernard as the character who will make things right. However, later in the story, John is brought in and Bernard's character loses popularity. Nonetheless, the main desire of both protagonists is to achieve satisfaction in their lives through their love interests, solidarity, and their influence on society. .
Bernard pursues Lenina, and eventually so does John. The two characters both have more similarities to Lenina than any of the women in the World State. Lenina, however; still values the traditions of her society and thus, does not end up with either of them. On an occasion where Henry described Lenina as someone he wishes to have sex with, "Bernard Marx overheard what they were saying and turned pale" (Huxley 32). In a society where love is inexistent and sex isn't a personal matter, Bernard gets sick at the thought of someone else being with this woman who he has no commitment to. Bernard found that "sport, women, communal activities were only, so far as he was concerned, second bests. Really, and at the bottom, he was interested in something else" (Huxley 45). That something else was a satisfaction he could not find in Lenina or any other woman. Once John leaves the reservation and comes back with Bernard he says he loves Lenina "more than anything in the world" (Huxley 129), but resolved that "the strongest suggestion our worser genius can, shall never melt mine honour into lust" (Huxley 129). John does not want to have sex with Lenina because that is not considered a representation of love in her eyes. She has slept with numerous men and John still values Christianity as he did at the reserve. .
When love is not prominent in both of their lives, Bernard and John choose solidarity. Bernard does not agree with the use of soma.
