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The Chrysalids is a post-apocalyptic Sci-Fi novel. Some themes are Christianity, Telepathy, and Mutation.

If you are looking for literary theme, (the message the author wishes to convey to the reader), there are 4 main ones. They are: Loyalty to the group comes before personal loyalty. Survival of the fittest-you cannot resist change, you must adapt. Having power over someone does not make you right. Violence only creates more violence. Religion is also a huge aspect of this novel.

The major themes in chrysalids are Power and authority, survival, Heroism, journey of childhood to manhood, woman in society, challenges and structure/point of view,childhood experiences,prejudice/discrimination in the society.If you're asking for the main theme, it'd probably be Deviation vs conformity.
  • Intolerance of Deviation

The important issue of the intolerance towards Deviationsis shown through the extreme reaction of Joseph to David's comment.In the Chrysalids, the theme of Deviation is a constant theme that runs throughout the novel. In fact, it is the main focus of the book.Attitudes towards them, hence, is an important factor in deciding how the reader will view them and will also impact their choices on their future courses of action- if they had been accepted by society, the telepaths would not have had to run away from society and run such a risk to their lives. This attitude consists of prejudice, open hatred, ostracism and even killing intent.This can be seen from Joseph's furious outburst when he heard what David heard. Such is the extent of his set attitude against Deviation that he employed selective hearing and chose not to hear David apologising and saying it was not meant to be said that way.Joseph represents the entirety of Waknuk Society's view on Deviation; being the son of the one who pioneered them in the first place. Hence just the utterance of such Blasphemy - "If only I had another hand"- was enough to turn on his paranoia and make him display his utter intolerance of Deviation.He yelled at David, made everyone pray for 'forgiveness', and even implied he would punish David later, physically. It shows how Deviations are not tolerated at all in Waknuk society.

  • Prejudice towards Deviation

The people of Waknuk believe that Deviants are an abomination and the work of the Devil. From a young age, the Definition of Man and the importance of Purity are drilled into them. This causes them to have a fixed mindset to persecute Deviants when they grow up. It can also be seen from how they regularly undergo inspections to destroy all Deviations from their property, like in the case of the Strorm household, especially Joseph, who take it as a personal insult to have a deviated crop or livestock in their farm. Deviants [Blasphemies] are cruelly sterilized and abandoned in the Fringes, never allowed to return. This harsh treatment of Deviations shows us that the theme of prejudice towards them is prevalent in Waknuk society.

  • Importance of Conformity

Through Joseph Strorm's harsh treatment of David, we can see how important the issue of conformity is to the inhabitants of Waknuk.Conformity in Waknuk is manifested in several ways, be it burning of Deviant crops, slaughtering of Deviant livestock and spreading awareness on the dangers of the Mutant to their peaceful society.Joseph shows this need for conformity in this passage by blasting David for even suggesting deviation from the Norm. The evidence for this is "you Blasphemed, boy. You found fault with the Norm," "This is a terrible thing, an outrageous thing. You are…committing blasphemy!" Joseph immediately accused poor David of having blasphemed and started yelling at him, without mercy or bothering to understand the truth.His treatment of David therefore shows how important conformity to the Norm really is to him.

Of course, every other theme in the book is significant as well. These include the theme of fear of authority, oppression, punishment, Purity and the Definition of Man, Friendhip, Love, Sin, Telecommunication, Sacrifice, Death, Religion, Extremism, Superstition and so on. They all play an important part in carrying the plot forward.

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Related Questions

Who owns the rights to John Wyndham's The Chrysalids?

John Wyndham's The Chrysalids was published in 1955, so the rights to the book are likely held by his estate or a publishing company that holds the rights to his works.


What was John Wyndham's intention of writing the chrysalids?

John Wyndham's intention in writing "The Chrysalids" was to explore the themes of prejudice, conformity, and the consequences of a society's obsession with physical perfection. He wanted to depict a world where differences are feared and punished, highlighting the importance of tolerance and acceptance.


The book Chrysalids was written by what author?

Yes, it is set in a future post-apocalyptic version of earth. The "old" people they discuss are us, and we have destroyed our world probably with nuclear weapons. The radiation could be what causes all the mutations.


How many pages in the book chrysalids?

"The Chrysalids" by John Wyndham has varying page counts depending on the edition and format. The novel typically ranges from 200 to 300 pages in length.


What is the link between the word Chrysalis and The Chrysalids by John Wyndham?

The link between the word and the book is symbolic. The idea is that David and his telepathic friends are growing and transforming into something better than the normal people that they have been.


What science fiction elements are in the Chrysalids?

"The Chrysalids" by John Wyndham is a science fiction novel that contains elements such as telepathy, mutations, and a post-apocalyptic world where genetic purity is strictly enforced. These elements contribute to the dystopian setting and themes of the novel.


What age group is the chrysalids?

"The Chrysalids" by John Wyndham is generally considered a young adult novel, suitable for readers around 12-18 years old. Its themes of conformity, discrimination, and individuality make it relevant and engaging for teenagers and young adults.


Wyndham's effective use of exposition in the chrysalids?

In "The Chrysalids" by John Wyndham, exposition is effectively used to gradually reveal the post-apocalyptic setting and the society's strict beliefs around genetic purity. Through the protagonist's thoughts and interactions, readers learn about the history of the world and the consequences of deviations from the norm. This slow unveiling adds depth to the world-building and increases tension as the story progresses.


Which of Sophie's secrets is discovered by Alan in the Chrysalids?

The secret that he discovers is that she has six toes on each foot, which he knows by observing her footprint.


Who wrote The Day of the Triffids?

John Wyndham wrote "The Day of the Triffids". His real name was Lucas Benyon Harris, and he wrote mainly science fiction books. Other example of a book is The Chrysalids.


What is the Bank in novel the Chrysalids?

The Bank is a symbolic location in the novel "The Chrysalids" by John Wyndham. It is a place that holds relics of the Old People, representing a time of advanced technology and civilization before the nuclear apocalypse. The Bank serves as a reminder of the destructive power of humanity and the importance of preserving knowledge from the past.


How is the Chrysalids science fiction?

"The Chrysalids" by John Wyndham is considered science fiction due to its exploration of themes such as genetic mutation, evolution, and the consequences of scientific experimentation. The novel is set in a post-apocalyptic world where society is rigidly controlled, and the characters must navigate a world where differences are seen as mutations.