Brutality in The Chrysalids
Imagine being given a life, and living in the most frightful way possible, with death being more merciful than living. Wyndham's The Chrysalids is a novel that demonstrates various themes throughout the narrative. Waknuk is where it all takes place, where the law is that everything and everyone must be perfect or else they are purified to demolish all abnormalities. Consequently, inhabitants of Waknuk achieve this by resisting to change. Also, a proud supporter of this is Joseph Strorm, a malicious leader of the towns people. Mankind's inhumanity humiliates and intimidates others into following their religious practices. In the plot of the story, residents of Waknuk are shown to be very relentless, in hope everybody is a carbon copy of the other. Commonly, families throw celebrations to welcome a child, however, in Strorm household, Petra was treated as if she was non-existent until after her ‘norm’ status …show more content…
For instance, the atmosphere at David's house quickly went bleak as he made a small brief reference to having a third hand. Immediately, the tension arose "For silence fell on the room like a clap…'You - my own son - were calling upon the Devil'" (Wyndham 26). David's family – more so his father – was appalled and angry. Reason being, they are afraid of deviants, as change is something that should not be spoken of. Additionally, the people of Waknuk are not willing to change themselves or their surroundings. Change is a necessity that many choose to ignore: "The essential quality of living is change; change is evolution: and we are part of it" (Wyndham 196). Suspending the natural growth of their society, instead of trying to experience the present is what holds Waknuk back from progression. In conclusion, humankind has anxiety that is restraining them to evolve
Imagine being given a life, and living in the most frightful way possible, with death being more merciful than living. Wyndham's The Chrysalids is a novel that demonstrates various themes throughout the narrative. Waknuk is where it all takes place, where the law is that everything and everyone must be perfect or else they are purified to demolish all abnormalities. Consequently, inhabitants of Waknuk achieve this by resisting to change. Also, a proud supporter of this is Joseph Strorm, a malicious leader of the towns people. Mankind's inhumanity humiliates and intimidates others into following their religious practices. In the plot of the story, residents of Waknuk are shown to be very relentless, in hope everybody is a carbon copy of the other. Commonly, families throw celebrations to welcome a child, however, in Strorm household, Petra was treated as if she was non-existent until after her ‘norm’ status …show more content…
For instance, the atmosphere at David's house quickly went bleak as he made a small brief reference to having a third hand. Immediately, the tension arose "For silence fell on the room like a clap…'You - my own son - were calling upon the Devil'" (Wyndham 26). David's family – more so his father – was appalled and angry. Reason being, they are afraid of deviants, as change is something that should not be spoken of. Additionally, the people of Waknuk are not willing to change themselves or their surroundings. Change is a necessity that many choose to ignore: "The essential quality of living is change; change is evolution: and we are part of it" (Wyndham 196). Suspending the natural growth of their society, instead of trying to experience the present is what holds Waknuk back from progression. In conclusion, humankind has anxiety that is restraining them to evolve