Chapter 3 & 4

In Chapter 3 and 4, we see the relationship between David and Sophie grow. They explore together and talk of the Old People's ways. David tells us about when he got a splinter in his hand and couldn't bandage it himself. He says, "I could of managed it if I had another hand" (page 26). David's father's reaction is angry and outraged, he is unforgiving of David's mistakes. I think this teaches us a lot about Joseph. I wonder what if must of felt like to be David and dream about Sophie being an "offence". It really helps us to see the cruelty and evil behind Joseph's "good deeds" and actions.

It reminds me of how evil can disguise and twist itself into different forms to entwine itself in all aspects of life. In this chapter, we discover David's unusual gift, telepathy, that he and his cousin Rosalind both have. Uncle Axel makes David promise to not tell anyone about it. I wonder what will happen if anyone does find out. David and his friends are bound by their secrecy and a community is formed. When David meets a fringe, it is interesting why he feels so uncomfortable and disturbed. I think his conscious is telling him something different than what his society has taught him.  

When David teaches Sophie about the world, it seems that David's society is so focused on becoming a "pure race" that they will use whatever extreme means necessary to do so.  This really reminds me of the Nazis in WWII and the inhumane almost unbelievable cruelty that they had. The values of Davids society seem wrong and their method of keeping the human form "true" is completely against everything we believe.

Chapter 1 & 2

The first 2 chapters of the Chrysalids introduced the main character, David, and his town Waknuk where he lives. He starts the book telling his sister about a dream he had about a city and she tells him it is very important he doesn't tell anyone. The narrator then goes on to tell us about his first encounter with Sophie. Sophie is adamant about not letting David see her feet and I find it strange that she is so cautious. We soon find out that Sophie has 6 toes. I find it disturbing how David's society defines a human. It seems so wrong to me and completely against everything we believe today as christians. Sophie's mom hints at what might happen if people knew about Sophie's difference. David seems to question and wonder about the values of his community. His community (especially his father) are very law abiding, like to hold high standards, and follow the letter of the law very strictly. The idea of "offences" is very interesting. David defines them as things which did not look 'right'. Whenever something like this would occur, David's father would ceremonially slaughter, burn, or kill whatever was considered an "offence" It is interesting to see that the community of Waknuk doesn't like things that are "different". They fear them. I think this issue will come up again and David will learn more about it. Harsh and unforgiving, we are starting to see that his community is not accepting of unique people and it reminds me a little about how our society treats people who are different.