A New Critical Approach to The Chrysalids
However old, New Criticism provides a unique lens that allows for patterns and similarities to be reviled. A post-apocalyptic, science fiction narrative, The Chrysalids, by John Wyndham, contains many universal complexities. As the name of the genre implies, science fiction generally entails technological marvels and invention. Further, science and faith rarely coincide peacefully, yet The Chrysalids uniquely blends both. Specifically, that extreme faith is a societal response to total destruction of all living and written history due to nuclear war. Thus, intolerance promoted in the Waknuk faith leads to isolation of the atypical. Although the town of Waknuk is seemingly unified by their devotion …show more content…
As Sophie is isolated because she is a deviant, the remoteness her house symbolic for her isolation. David says that he “regarded the country there as foreign” (6). This difference David feels, is a metaphor for how isolating it is for Sophie to live with the burden of being a deviant. Likewise, Labrador is isolated from other societies because of an intolerance of other. David describes the exhausting journey it takes to reach other civilizations, however a “ban on further exploration” completely cuts off Labrador (61). The travel ban symbolizes that Labrador is willing to isolate itself as those abroad do not fit the “true image”. Less extreme, but in echo of Labrador’s isolation, Waknuk isolates itself as well. Waknuk is true to Nicholson’s Repentances, whereas the “sentimentalists in Rigo” have more liberal views (88). Successfully, demonstrating that Waknuk is so terrified, they have little patience for sympathizing with deviants. As seen, these events of isolation are often effects of intolerance rooted deep inside of the ideology of Waknuk and …show more content…
David expresses that he would be unable to marry someone who was normal. He states that an intimate relationship with someone without telepathic ability could only bring “prolonged unhappiness and frustration” (93). This shows David himself is intolerant to those different from him, paralleling the views of Waknuk society. However, David’s intolerance toward non-deviations is a survival mechanism, as there is a possibility they could cause him, or the others, harm. Likewise, there is prejudice within the Sealand society as well. Firstly, the Sealand people believe that the Labrador are lesser. The Sealand people use “‘primitive’ to refer to ordinary Labrador people” (146), meaning that because Waknuk society has different values, they are not looked upon with respect. Additionally, the Sealand people have little concern with killing many Fringe and Waknuk people, and are just interested in those like them. Right after the Sealand woman lands, and subsequently kills numerous people, she, meeting Petra, “laughed, kissed her, and put her down” (193). The nonchalant behaviour is a result of not considering those “other” not human and regarding them with bigotry. It is also a paradox that the Sealand people care so much about Petra, while show “distaste” toward Waknuk’s, while Petra is, by birth, is a Waknuk (195). Ironically, in the
However old, New Criticism provides a unique lens that allows for patterns and similarities to be reviled. A post-apocalyptic, science fiction narrative, The Chrysalids, by John Wyndham, contains many universal complexities. As the name of the genre implies, science fiction generally entails technological marvels and invention. Further, science and faith rarely coincide peacefully, yet The Chrysalids uniquely blends both. Specifically, that extreme faith is a societal response to total destruction of all living and written history due to nuclear war. Thus, intolerance promoted in the Waknuk faith leads to isolation of the atypical. Although the town of Waknuk is seemingly unified by their devotion …show more content…
As Sophie is isolated because she is a deviant, the remoteness her house symbolic for her isolation. David says that he “regarded the country there as foreign” (6). This difference David feels, is a metaphor for how isolating it is for Sophie to live with the burden of being a deviant. Likewise, Labrador is isolated from other societies because of an intolerance of other. David describes the exhausting journey it takes to reach other civilizations, however a “ban on further exploration” completely cuts off Labrador (61). The travel ban symbolizes that Labrador is willing to isolate itself as those abroad do not fit the “true image”. Less extreme, but in echo of Labrador’s isolation, Waknuk isolates itself as well. Waknuk is true to Nicholson’s Repentances, whereas the “sentimentalists in Rigo” have more liberal views (88). Successfully, demonstrating that Waknuk is so terrified, they have little patience for sympathizing with deviants. As seen, these events of isolation are often effects of intolerance rooted deep inside of the ideology of Waknuk and …show more content…
David expresses that he would be unable to marry someone who was normal. He states that an intimate relationship with someone without telepathic ability could only bring “prolonged unhappiness and frustration” (93). This shows David himself is intolerant to those different from him, paralleling the views of Waknuk society. However, David’s intolerance toward non-deviations is a survival mechanism, as there is a possibility they could cause him, or the others, harm. Likewise, there is prejudice within the Sealand society as well. Firstly, the Sealand people believe that the Labrador are lesser. The Sealand people use “‘primitive’ to refer to ordinary Labrador people” (146), meaning that because Waknuk society has different values, they are not looked upon with respect. Additionally, the Sealand people have little concern with killing many Fringe and Waknuk people, and are just interested in those like them. Right after the Sealand woman lands, and subsequently kills numerous people, she, meeting Petra, “laughed, kissed her, and put her down” (193). The nonchalant behaviour is a result of not considering those “other” not human and regarding them with bigotry. It is also a paradox that the Sealand people care so much about Petra, while show “distaste” toward Waknuk’s, while Petra is, by birth, is a Waknuk (195). Ironically, in the