"There was a shower of stones. Bleeding, he ran away into the darkness. From the red-lit kiva came the noise of singing. The last of the boys had climbed down the ladder. He was all alone."
In both the more progressed part of the world and the savage part, those individuals who are different often find themselves feeling isolated. Most of the time they really are isolated. An imperfect part of their community, they are unwanted because they cause discomfort. They ruin stability and uniformity.
Whether they realize it or not, even the savages are prone to uniformity. Linda from the advanced civilization is almost completely shunned and is even punished at times for her ideals. Because she looks and acts different, she is scolded and whipped by the women of the community. John, her son, is no exception to this custom either. He is banned from participating in the introduction rites of the boys of the tribe simply because he is Linda's son and because he looks like her.
Society is not comfortable with diversity. It is easier to interact with those one feels familiar or acquainted with, whether it be in ideals or appearance. However, for those who are different and know what it is like to be an outcast, it is easier to sympathize with each other.
In this particular section of the book, John explains to Bernard his feeling of lonesomeness. Although they are outcasts of two entirely different world, their loneliness brings them together. It helps them relate. And, this is also a truth in the real world.
strange how feelings of loneliness bring people together
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