-
Essay / Three Important Lessons in John Wyndham The Chrysalids
John Wyndham's The Chrysalids is a story about a dystopian future with extremely religious beliefs. The story takes place in Waknuk where they believe in the "perfect image", anything that deviates from what they believe to be a human is considered a deviation. We see this through the eyes of a boy named David Storm. He discovers more about “deviations” and how the people around him feel about anything that is not the “norm”. During his journey, David also discovers that he can communicate telepathically with others with his abilities. From an outside perspective, David and the group of 8 (the other people with his abilities) seem normal. However, they should not tell anyone about their abilities. Because being different might land them in the Fringes. Throughout the text, the author has highlighted some important lessons. These lessons can be taken and implemented/connected to our lives. These lessons are perfection, it's a concept, the importance of friendship and morality. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The lessons in this book show how perfection is a man-made concept. The reader learns of the unjust actions towards the people of the Fringes, things are not always what they seem. The world is not a perfect place and no one is perfect. There are "perfect" characters in the book who treat people on the fringe unfairly throughout the story. It wasn't the fringe people's fault that they looked different. It is assumed that a nuclear power plant exploded and the surrounding area was ravaged by radiation. This led to a serious change in the Fringes territory. Plants, animals and people would be distorted in the isolated "Badlands". This is where the Fringes were forced to live. These areas often did not have enough food due to radiation. The reader can learn that it is important to understand things well before making a judgment and putting things into action. Deviations cannot become a norm, explains David: “She can refuse to answer. She does this now, as if someone refuses to speak – but to continue like this… It would be like taking a vow of silence for the rest of her life. I mean, she can't let herself be forgotten and become a norm. We can’t believe this is possible.” They believed that being different was not part of the “norm” or what they considered perfect. They don't understand what the marginalized feel and think. Because of this lack of understanding, they are condemned and fired. Quite simply because they did not correspond to the Waknukian image of humanity... Furthermore, if the roles were reversed and the marginalized were the "norm", would the concept of perfection be conferred on them? Lady Zealand believes that people like her are more superior: “We are the new people, your kind of people. People who know how to think together We are the ones who will build a new type of world – different from the world of the old and the world of savages.” Much like the beliefs of the people of Waknuk, the New Zealand lady believes that non-telepaths are inferior. In fact, it's quite ironic. The people of Waknuk think they are better and the people of the Fringes think they are inferior. Perhaps if the people of Waknuk didn't believe in the "perfect" image, they could live in harmony with the "deviations." At many points in the story, characters help each other in hopes of achieving a common goal. We often see it in.”