dawh
(via babyminaj)
The Chrysalids
By: John Wyndham
In chapter one David Storm is introduced. He meets a girl he has never seen before named Sophie. David finds out that Sophie has a deformity that is one extra toe on each foot. He has made a promise to never tell anyone about her extra toes because it is ‘wrong’ to have a deformity. At first he doesn’t think it is that big of a deal to have a little extra toe, but then David recites to himself the definition of man “And each leg shall be jointed twice and shall have one foot and each foot 5 toes. And any creature that shall seem to be human, but is not formed thus, is not human. It is a blasphemy against the true image of God, and hateful in the sight of God.” This quotation shows that everyone in Waknuk and possibly even the whole world believe that any slight difference is hanis. And that the person should be banished to the Fringes or be killed.
In chapter two we learn more about David’s life and his family. David’s father, Joseph Storm is known to purge the most deviations in Waknuk. On occasion, the deformed outcasts have been known to travel to Waknuk and raid anything for their survival in the Fringes.
In chapter three Sophie’s father and David have a bit of tension, Sophie’s father doesn’t trust David, which is understandable, because David is the son of Joseph Storm who has the reputation to purge the most deviations.
In chapter four David reveals that he too has a ‘deviation’ he talks to Rosalind but not in the ordinary way, he talks to her using only his mind. David’s uncle advises him to keep quite about his secret ability. Two fringe leaders are caught after making a raid, they seem to look almost normal, one even looks like Joseph Storm. We meet Angus Morton, Rosalind’s father. He has huge horses and Joseph thinks that they are offences. He confronts the towns inspector to verify his suspicion, the inspector insists that the horses are approved and are the result of selective breeding. Joseph keeps protesting and the inspector refers to a embarrassing incident involving the Daker’s cat which never had a tail. Joseph killed the cat before being notified that it belonged to a legitimate breed.
In chapter fiver it is spring time which proves to be relatively deviance-free. David and Sophie decide to go down to the stream and catch some Shrimp. David coaxes Sophie to go barefoot into the stream despite her deformity. On one occasion Allan came to the river. Allan notices something peculiar, on the rock. A wet footprint with the imprint of one extra toe. He then notices that this footprint belongs to Sophie and plans to make the blasphemy public. Sophie knocked the boy out with a rock so he couldn’t run to tell. After she goes back home David tells her parents what happened. Sophie’s parents decide it is best if they pack up and leave because their daughter is at risk. After they left David sleeps at the Wender residence all night long. In the morning he hurries home hoping that no one noticed he had left. This is not the case. David’s father is with the inspector and question him about Sophie. David pretends to not know what they are talking about. Joseph detains David in his room for a harsh beating and David finally breaks and tells Sophie’s secret.
In chapter six the inspector is still questioning David but is interrupted by Joseph to say that the Wender’s have been captured. A few days later David tells Uncle Axel about his plans to run away to the Fringes. Axel advises him against doing so and tells him about what lies south Rigo. Axel inquires to know exactly how many people David can talk to. David explains that there were formally eight members but he cannot reach one member. He worries that he may have been caught or killed.
In chapter seven David’s mother gives birth to a healthy baby girl named Petra. Before being acknowledged that she’s even alive she must get her normalcy certificate from the inspector. A few days later David’s aunt Harriet comes over with her own newborn child. Aunt Harriet confesses that she has yet to get her daughter a certificate and knows her daughter wont meet the normalcy standards. Harriet pleads to borrow Petra to get the certificate instead of using her own child. David’s mom is outraged that her sister would bring an abomination into her home and orders Harriet to leave. The next day she is found dead in the river with no baby to speak of.
In chapter eight after her death David has an intense desire to be normal and not end up like his unfortunate aunt. David’s mentions this to his Uncle who reassures him and brings acceptance of his ability. Uncle Axel tells David about the boy he lost contact with and that he was a victim of a crashing tree and died. David shares this knowledge with he others. We learn their names: Their names are: David and Rosalind, Michael, Rachel and Anne, Sally, Katherine, and Mark.
It is now six years later in chapter nine and we learn that David’s younger sister Petra has an ability too. But stronger than his own. They try to contact her through their minds but she is unable to hear or see them. They decide that since she is so young she is unaware of her ability and hey don’t mention it. One of the people David can send mine shapes to is getting married.
In chapter ten we discover that not only is the man Anne is going to marry normal it’s Allan! The one who discovered Sophie’s secret. The others tell Anne not to go through with it but she goes as far as blocking them out. Uncle Axel and David talk about the situation and Axel says that it may be worth killing Anne to protect heir secret. David refuses this option. After six months of being wed Allan is found dead in a forest. David and the others try to reach out to Anne but she is convinced that they had something to do with it. Anne is found dead in her house she committed suicide. Rachel found her, and by her corpse she finds a note with the names of everyone who can send thought shapes. The letter is destroyed and the murder of Allan is still unsolved.
