Examples Of Prejudice In The Chrysalids

It is the goal of many today to entirely eliminate prejudice from the minds of new generations. Albeit a noble ambition, it may not be a realistic one. Possibly, prejudice may be ingrained into our very humanity, and even life itself. In his science-fiction novel The Chrysalids, John Wyndham uses the story of several characters and their respective post-apocalyptic civilizations to illustrate how discrimination is a natural part of humanity and has existed since the beginning of our existence and will continue to exist for all time as long as humanity endures. Using the respective societies and philosophies of the characters David, Joseph, and the woman from Zealand, Wyndham tells the aforementioned message. John Wyndham indicates that prejudice

When telepathically talking to the Zealand woman, Petra tells Rosalind that “‘[The Zealand woman] says that everybody [in Zealand] wants to make [thought-shapes], and people who can’t do it must work hard to get better at it.’” (145), revealing that Zealand is not free of prejudice either, and oppresses the non-telepathic population. Although it is never fully explained in the novel, this form of prejudice is likely just as abhorrent as the form witnessed in Newf. In addition, prejudice exists as a cycle. Consider this: a man has lived his entire life as a second-class citizen under the thumb of the ruling majority due to his religion. His people are a sizable minority in his country. Eventually, something causes the ruling majority religious group to switch with the formerly second-class religious group. Now, this man is in power and has authority over the newly formed second class. Due to humanity’s biased concept of justice or fear that this group may return to power and continue its discrimination, he and the rest of the new ruling class will likely oppress in the same way they were oppressed. Ultimately, there will be more societal change that will cause the power dynamic to once more shift. This is the

John Wyndham reflects an overall negative view of humanity. He suggests through the characters Joseph, David, and the Zealand woman and their respective societies that prejudice is eternal, cyclical, and universal. Wyndham tells complex messages about human society and life itself. Wyndham is critical of humanity, but he is not absent of hope that a better world is possible. On some occasions in The Chrysalids, mothers and close friends will law down their prejudice in order to help their mutant children, such as Rosalind’s mother and Aunt Harriet. Prejudice will always exist, but that does not mean it is useless to advocate for its prevention. It is important that one must accept that prejudice will never be completely eradicated. It’s violence will never end. Humanity would rather annihilate itself than lay down its hatred and arms. The cogs of prejudice will be continually oiled with the blood of oppressed people until there are no more people to be