" 'The greater a man's talents, the greater his power to lead astray. It is better that one should suffer than that many should be corrupted. Consider the matter dispassionately, Mr. Foster, and you will see that no offence is so heinous as unorthodoxy of behaviour. Murder kills only the individual - and, after all, what is an individual?' "
Brave New World, page 148
The Director tells Henry Foster everything in the preceding quote when Bernard is a clear threat to the system and Society as a whole. The dramatic irony, in this situation, is "murder kills only the individual." This is when the readers say, "Wait! In this book, there is no such thing as an individual!" (which Henry Foster wouldn't be able to understand) And the following rhetorical question only reemphasizes this point. Which is quite funny, the purpose of the question was to aid his convictions of Bernard, but it actually makes the reader hate him and his life's work even more.The irony once again points out the flaws in this community. It reveals the horribly thought-out priorities of the government.
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