Theme Of Hope In The Chrysalids

Within every story of tragic events there is always a visible spark of hope. The novel The Chrysalids by John Wyndham is a story of great despair and tragedy yet with hope prominently noticeable. The protagonist, David as well as his companions face various challenges, which result in double edged swords exhibiting despair throughout; however, nearing the end the desperation breaks apart letting hope shine through.

Despair is evident throughout the book, more so from Waknuk citizens oppressing those who are different. “Katherine, a girl from a neighboring farm who could produce thought shapes similar to David’s was found out and taken to the inspector, where, she was ”broken”. Sally, who was also taken with Katherine to the inspector, said to the rest of the thought shapers, “They’ve broken Katherine…Oh Katherine darling… [t]hey’re torturing her…She’s all clouded now. She can’t hear us.” Her thoughts dissolved into shapeless distress.” (Wyndham 130). Clearly Katherine had been severely hurt enough to reveal her ability of producing thought shapes which would put all the thought shapers in danger and tortured enough that Sally sends distress showing how hopeless they indeed are. Furthermore when David found out his father was apart of the party coming to battle the Fringe people he is in sheer distress. He states, “ ‘Purity…’I said. ‘The will of the Lord. Honor thy father…Am I supposed to forgive him! Or try to kill him?’” (182). David is conflicted and rather flustered between his respect and love for his father yet as a deviant they are fighting for different sides and he knows either he or his father will die in the end. Additionally, during the battle itself, one of David’s most loyal friends parishes before his eyes. D...

... middle of paper ...

... Even with the bigoted town of Waknuk and its purity laws, hope is still evident within the events of the Novel.

In conclusion hope and despair are intertwined within The Chrysalids. Despair evident throughout the book plaguing each character in its own way, killing, injuring and or scarring, eventually leaving each character changed. Although despair is unmistakably present, hope does prevail to unfortunately not all but some of the characters. David, Rosalind and Petra make it safely to Sealand while Michael saved from the battle returns to his love Rachel; both to someday reach Sealand. Wherever there is great despair hope will always vividly be present in some manner since, without despair there would be no purpose for hope. Hope is mankind’s strongest weapon against despair and misery one, which would have no meaning without tragedy to make it purposeful.