Final answer:
John and Helmholtz differ in their reaction to Bernard's falling status, causing Bernard to feel betrayed and isolated. Helmholtz views his own conflict with Authority as a challenge to his creativity and integrity, while their friendships reveal a lack of shared values and deep connection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reaction of John and Helmholtz to Bernard's falling status varies, reflecting the nature of their friendship. While both initially enjoy the benefits of Bernard's temporary rise to popularity, they respond differently when he begins to fall from grace. John is generally more sympathetic, yet somewhat detached and focused on his own experiences. Helmholtz, on the other hand, shows a genuine concern for the integrity of his friendship with Bernard but is also preoccupied with his own intellectual pursuits and conflicts with Authority.
Bernard feels increasingly isolated and betrayed as his status diminishes. His friendships with John and Helmholtz are not based on a deep understanding or shared values, but rather on the temporary convenience that his status afforded. As a result, Bernard's sense of betrayal is heightened, leading to feelings of loneliness and resentment.
Helmholtz's own conflict with Authority arises from his desire for intellectual freedom and the expression of his real feelings, which is at odds with the controlled, conformist society they live in. He approaches this conflict with a sense of inevitability and even welcomes it as a challenge to his creativity and integrity.