How Love Survived Admist Suffering in John Wydham's The Chrysalids

Amidst all the pain in John Wyndham’s The Chrysalids, there is love. This powerful human emotion has survived in the oppressing society of Waknuk. Wyndham portrays love among hardships to remind us that there is always hope for humanity, despite obstacles it may encounter. Through the Wenders’ sacrificial, unresentful devotion to their mutant daughter, through David’s discovery of reassurance and affection in his uncle amidst fear and uncertainty, and through the telepaths’ undying love for one another despite persecution, The Chrysalids shows us that while Tribulation erased many of society’s aspects, it was unable to extinguish the human quality called love.

Firstly, despite having to live a weary, careful life, John and Mary Wender never resent their deviant child, Sophie. Like everyone in Waknuk, they knew the consequences of harboring a mutant. They knew how careful and alert they would have to be to raise a deviant child. Considering the extreme measures that the Waknuk people underwent to keep their society ‘pure’, the Wenders must have gone to extraordinary lengths to protect their daughter. The novel states that Sophie and her parents lived apart from the rest of Waknuk. They would have had to do this to hide the child from suspicious eyes. Their remote location, however, was not enough to ease their worries, as they lived prepared for the day they would have to flee. Although they were constantly on anxious guard for any who might discover Sophie’s mutation, the stress was not enough to make the parents unaffectionate towards their daughter; both Mr. and Mrs. Wender displayed love for their child in ways modern parents would. Mrs. Wender’s genuine concern when Sophie sprained her ankle and Mr. Wender’s warm response t...

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...ths’ bond of trust, friendship, and love was the source of strength that allowed them to pull through when they were persecuted.

Hence, The Wenders’ determination to protect their daughter in a hostile society, Uncle Axel’s willingness to love and guide his insecure nephew, and the telepaths’ devotion to their closely-knitted group remind us that no matter how corrupt the majority of society becomes, there will always be those who will keep alive the beautiful qualities that make us human. Thus, it is clear that Wyndham purposely incorporated loving relationships in the midst of suffering to keep alive our hope in the human race. Love is an unique quality that can emerge through hardships. The Chrysalids is meant to remind us that the power of this emotion can overcome despair.

Works Cited

Wyndham, John. The Chrysalids. London: Penguin Group, 1955. Print.