The Chrysalids Symbolism

Chrysalids Critical Analysis

Society has constructed many absurd theories and ideals, but none are as illogical as the concept of “ normal”. Somewhere along the line, humans began to conform to the theory of normality; its standards determined by the most prevalent characteristics that emerged within a given population. John Wyndham’s dystopian novel The Chrysalids exemplifies this theme through the character of David, who lives in an estate known as Waknuk, where differences generally lead to marginalization. Living in such an oppressive civilization has caused David, who possesses telepathic abilities, to feel like an outsider. David’s journey throughout the book heavily implies that when an individual possesses an “abnormal” quality, they

David and the group feel more and more like outsiders as they progress in life, and living in a society where they are constantly surveilled for differences only enforces these emotions. David and his friends are starting to feel detached from their identities, which heavily revolve around their telepathic abilities; a difference Waknuk condemns. While they initially felt proud of their differences, it seems all the propaganda and hate has taken a toll on their self-worth. These emotions can be validated through the following quote. “Knowing that we’re not just pointless freaks—a few bewildered deviations hoping to save their own skins. It’s the difference between just trying to keep alive, and having something to live for.” (P. 198) This quote is essential to proving that David and the group’s sole purpose in life was to survive, not to enjoy it. The way their society treated abnormalities prevented them from living life, and instead made them borderline suicidal. They perceive themselves as freaks, which is a dramatic shift from how they felt about telepathy at the beginning of the book. Overall, David and the gang evolved from being a group of kids embracing their differences, to emotionally damaged teenagers with a poor

Out of Waknuk’s unrealistic desire to achieve a Utopian world where everyone is normal, they discriminate people they perceive as blasphemous; causing those individuals to feel like outsiders. While a person with differences may admire them at first, living in a community such as Waknuk where you are constantly surveilled and disowned for having a mutation can intensify your feelings of not belonging, which will inevitably lead to an ever-lasting, poor self