Pohnpei397 is spot on, however I think when looking at
this question it is also important to consider how Helmholtz reacts to this
banishment.
"Whereas, if [Bernard] had the smallest sense,
he'd understand that his punishment is really a reward. He's being sent to an island.
That's to say, he's being sent to a place where he'll meet the most interesting set of
men and women to be found anywhere in the world. All the people who, for one reason or
another, have got too self-consciously individual to fit into community-life. All the
people who aren't satisfied with orthodoxy, who've got independent ideas of their own.
Every one, in a word, who's any one. I almost envy you, Mr.
Watson."
[...]
Helmholtz
rose from his pneumatic chair. "I should like a thoroughly bad climate," he answered. "I
believe one would write better if the climate were bad. If there were a lot of wind and
storms, for example …"
The Controller nodded his
approbation. "I like your spirit, Mr. Watson. I like it very much indeed. As much as I
officially disapprove of it." He smiled. "What about the Falkland
Islands?"
"Yes, I think that will do," Helmholtz
answered. "And now, if you don't mind, I'll go and see how poor Bernard's getting on."
While Bernard completely panics at the the
prospect of being banished to an island, Helmholtz is very accepting of the idea. After
conversing with Mond about the the type of information he will be exposed to there,
Helmholtz realizes that he will be able to think somewhat individually while banished.
Furthermore, he will be surrounded by other "radical" thinkers, which he converse with
and develop ideas with. While it is unlikely that Helmholtz, or any of these other
radical thinkers will be able to follow through on any of their ideas, the simple
prospect of being able to think for himself is enticing.
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