Waknuk, a community built on mutual respect for God. In John Wyndham’s classic novel The Chrysalids, this is all the people know. However, the community of Waknuk was built on another pillar, much darker than respect: fear. However, as a community built upon this fear, Waknuk will never be able to attain the True Image. Not only are the people of Waknuk subpar at detecting some deviations, meaning they could have seeped into society, but the True Image is little more than a guess made by Waknuk scholars. Finally, attaining absolute perfection will be physically impossible due to the power of Tribulation, something Joseph Strorm and his following are too naive to comprehend.
The people of Waknuk may fear the Devil, but are sometimes unable …show more content…
Though Nicholson’s Repentances provide a thorough description of the image of God, Nicholson himself wrote the text long after the coming of Tribulation, so “‘you find yourself wondering whether he knew he was in the true image, or whether he only thought he was’” (Wyndham 63). It is impossible, however, to use the Bible as a source in determining God’s image either. Though it mentions repeatedly how “God created man in his own image” (King James Bible, Genesis 1.27), it is never mentioned what the true image of God is. Additionally, there are several pockets of civilization spread across the barren world, each with a different vision as to who is truly following the Norm. As told by Uncle Axel, “‘there’s one tribe where both the men and women are hairless, and they think hair is the devil’s mark; and there’s another where they all have white hair and pink eyes’” (Wyndham 62). All believing different texts as their resource as to what God’s image actually is, they “‘think that their type is the true pattern of the Old People, and anything different is a Deviation’” (Wyndham 63). Nevertheless, the people of Waknuk, despite being blessed with this knowledge, are too focused on attaining their definition of perfection at all costs. Such is the way of life, in a society built on fear and ignorance to incompetent to revisit their definition of the …show more content…
Because of this, attaining physical perfection will be simply impossible. Though it is not explicitly mentioned what happened during Tribulation, it is implied that nuclear warfare was a key component in the disaster. The Black Coasts, mentioned by Uncle Axel, exemplify this. They “‘are known to grow dimly on a dark night’” (Wyndham 61), a trait commonly attributed to radioactive material. Moreover, Waknuk has experienced major climate change. David describes how “in the time of the Old People Labrador had been a cold land, so cold that no one could live there for long” but “there were only two cold months in the year now” (Wyndham 39). This kind of climate change is only possible via a large, man-made event such as a major nuclear exchange. Given our new knowledge about Tribulation, the frequency of physical abnormalities among the population of Waknuk makes a great deal of sense. Unfortunately, the population of Joseph Strorm’s district are too devout to investigate the matter, let alone understand the reason for which “God” sent Tribulation. This is evidenced by Joseph’s quickness to defend God, even in unnecessary situations. Consequently, so much as an innocent comment in the presence of Joseph can quickly be interpreted as a call upon the Devil, made evident when he says that “you were calling upon the Devil to give you another hand!” when in reality, David, the
The people of Waknuk may fear the Devil, but are sometimes unable …show more content…
Though Nicholson’s Repentances provide a thorough description of the image of God, Nicholson himself wrote the text long after the coming of Tribulation, so “‘you find yourself wondering whether he knew he was in the true image, or whether he only thought he was’” (Wyndham 63). It is impossible, however, to use the Bible as a source in determining God’s image either. Though it mentions repeatedly how “God created man in his own image” (King James Bible, Genesis 1.27), it is never mentioned what the true image of God is. Additionally, there are several pockets of civilization spread across the barren world, each with a different vision as to who is truly following the Norm. As told by Uncle Axel, “‘there’s one tribe where both the men and women are hairless, and they think hair is the devil’s mark; and there’s another where they all have white hair and pink eyes’” (Wyndham 62). All believing different texts as their resource as to what God’s image actually is, they “‘think that their type is the true pattern of the Old People, and anything different is a Deviation’” (Wyndham 63). Nevertheless, the people of Waknuk, despite being blessed with this knowledge, are too focused on attaining their definition of perfection at all costs. Such is the way of life, in a society built on fear and ignorance to incompetent to revisit their definition of the …show more content…
Because of this, attaining physical perfection will be simply impossible. Though it is not explicitly mentioned what happened during Tribulation, it is implied that nuclear warfare was a key component in the disaster. The Black Coasts, mentioned by Uncle Axel, exemplify this. They “‘are known to grow dimly on a dark night’” (Wyndham 61), a trait commonly attributed to radioactive material. Moreover, Waknuk has experienced major climate change. David describes how “in the time of the Old People Labrador had been a cold land, so cold that no one could live there for long” but “there were only two cold months in the year now” (Wyndham 39). This kind of climate change is only possible via a large, man-made event such as a major nuclear exchange. Given our new knowledge about Tribulation, the frequency of physical abnormalities among the population of Waknuk makes a great deal of sense. Unfortunately, the population of Joseph Strorm’s district are too devout to investigate the matter, let alone understand the reason for which “God” sent Tribulation. This is evidenced by Joseph’s quickness to defend God, even in unnecessary situations. Consequently, so much as an innocent comment in the presence of Joseph can quickly be interpreted as a call upon the Devil, made evident when he says that “you were calling upon the Devil to give you another hand!” when in reality, David, the