Examples Of Identity In The Chrysalids By John Wyndham

Through the novel The Chrysalids, author John Wyndham explores many examples of how identity and self-expression are vital to a thriving society and person. Wyndham shows readers how restraining identity and self-expression have a negative impact on not only the person, but in addition, those who surround them and the society in which they live. He does this through the emotional expression and the physical actions of the characters throughout the novel.

One way Wyndham expresses how the restriction of identity and self-expression has a negative impact, is through the emotions of the main character, David Strorm, in The Chrysalids. When a significant part of David’s identity, his telepathy, is hidden and restricted he doesn’t feel safe in

He also shares how one blocked off personality affects all those around them. By now David has become aware that he is in fact a ‘mutant’, he sees how it is not one's fault for who they are. While sharing these thoughts with another farmer, he is met with an interesting response: “‘But a mutant isn’t responsible for-’ I began. ‘Isn’t responsible,’ sneered the old man. ‘Is a tiger-cat responsible for being a tiger cat? But you kill it. You can’t afford to have it run loose.’” (p.89). David, now in the shoes of ‘mutants’, begins to sympathize with them saying they are not ‘responsible’ for who they are. This realization is a key step forward in David’s path to expressing his true identity. However, Jacob’s response to David’s words may be offsetting to David as it only reassures his fear that he will be killed for being different. Because David keeps being told he does not fit in, he is bound to end up feeling like his difference is his fault. Everyone in the community continuously tells him that people who are different do not deserve the life they were given; there is not a universe where that idea beginning ingrained into someone's head will not poorly affect them. Especially as a teenager, David will have a hard mental battle as he learns to accept himself. This fear of who he

‘She says that everyone there wants to make them [think-pictures], and people who can’t do it much work hard to get better at it.’” (p.145). Finally there is a group who accepts the main characters as they come. In fact, those who aren’t as strong as ‘thinkers’ work hard to become better at it in order to have stronger connections with the people around them. This brings hope to not only the group but also the readers. It also shows how their powers saved them, and therefore ended up helping them more than harming them. Not only do the characters have hope for a community where they can live and grow happily, they are also given the chance to get help strengthening their powers: “‘She has still a great deal to learn, but we will give her the best teachers, and then, one day, she will be teaching them.’” (p.193). The Sealand people have come along with hope for not only the main characters but also the readers. Finally there is a place where the characters can be fully themselves, without any restrictions. In this new community, the characters are not only accepted for who they are, but encouraged to grow their powers. Petra, who was once controlled by her ‘think-pictures’, will learn how to use them to recruit others by reaching farther than anyone before. This change in communities