Essay On Religion In The Chrysalids

Religion and the Struggle of Morality

In John Wyndham’s sci-fi novel, The Chrysalids, the world is seen in a post-apocalyptic event in which religion is greatly valued. David understands that one must be moral rather than religious to survive in a world of chaos. For one to be moral, they must understand the difference between right and wrong. He believes all Deviants, those “hateful in the sight of God” (Wyndham 13), should not be despised. At a young age, David did not conform to the practices of his father, Joseph Strorm. David decides to view all Deviants, including himself, as equal. David’s choice set off a chain reaction that changes his life forever.

One particular moment in David’s life gives him a new perspective. When David visits the bank to play, he meets Sophie, a Deviant. David simply disregards this fact. As they play, David discovers her sixth toe, when her foot is stuck, because of this, he walks her to her house. David is strictly told not to tell anyone: “Nobody else must know. Nobody at all.” (12). Due to the conversation, David questions society’s norms: “The ways of the world were

It allows many to analyze how the present society functions and if it relates at all to the book. Joseph Strorm assumes those who do not fit the Image of God, “[A] man should have one body, one head, two arms and two legs” (10), should be exiled or killed. Long ago, World War Two provoked a new aspect of morality. Adolf Hitler sparked a war when he urged to kill those who did not fit a “physical description”, much like Joseph Strorm’s idea to eradicate all Deviants. Both men determined to keep the norm of society one. They could not distinguish the differences of right and wrong. Thus, Deviants are a lot like Jews and vice versa. If Waknuk did not fully understand The Old People, one can extrapolate that they did not know of past events. Therefore, it is probable that history should repeat