Discrimination In John Wyndham's 'The Chrysalids'

Callum Whidden

Due: 1/25/2023

Is this what the future is going to look like?

John Wyndham, the main character David, experiences prejudice and discrimination throughout the story. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where deviations from the norm are not tolerated, David and his family must constantly hide their "abnormalities" in order to survive. From a young age, David is made aware of the harsh realities of living in a society where deviance is met with persecution. prejudices affect the life of 10-year-old David and form the outlook that David has on the world of Waknuk, pitting him against himself, his friends and family, and his society. In our world, today prejudice exists everywhere. Throughout the novel, "The Chrysalids' ', John

This is prominent in through the first couple chapters of the book where we can see how Waknuk society molds the children into thinking that if you are different then you should be outcasted. The central character, David, is constantly at odds with himself as he struggles to reconcile his beliefs and values with those of the society in which he lives. David is a "deviation" in a world where conformity and uniformity are highly valued, and as such, he is constantly in danger of being discovered and punished. Despite this, David is fiercely loyal to his community and its strict religious beliefs, even as he begins to question them and understand the humanity of those who are considered "deviations." This internal conflict ultimately leads to David's decision to leave his home and community in search of a place where he can truly be himself. The novel explores the theme of individuality and the consequences of standing up for one's beliefs in the face of societal pressure. Ultimately, David's struggle with self and societal identity is a major theme throughout the

One of David's main sources of prejudice is his fatherJoseph. His father is particularly harsh towards him, viewing his abilities as a deviation and a sin which reinforce his strong roots in the holy book Repentances.. However David's mother is more understanding and supportive, but he is still forced to keep his abilities a secret in order to avoid persecution.The Sealand woman, Sophie, and other friends of David also experience prejudice because of their physical differences. But David's mother is more sympathetic and helpful to him. Despite this, David must conceal his talents in order to avoid being persecuted. He is constantly on guard because he fears being found out and being shunned by his community. David is pitted against his family and friends because of this prejudice, which makes him doubt the morals of his culture and the genuine character of people. This leads to the view that David now has that the people around him are no longer people he can rely on but instead people he must hide