How do the workers react to John's calling the DHC My father?

The workers react with surprise and discomfort when John calls the Director of Hatcheries and Conditioning (DHC) "my father." This revelation challenges the established social norms and values of their highly controlled society, where familial relationships are largely absent. The reaction highlights the tension between John's natural upbringing and the artificial world of the World State, emphasizing the stark contrast between their beliefs and his. Ultimately, the workers are taken aback, as this familial connection undermines their understanding of identity and hierarchy.