The Chrysalids Bigotry Analysis

The novel “The Chrysalids” written by John Wyndham demonstrates a good example of bigotry through David’s family, society, and other characters. (To give brief information, Waknuk is a community where all “deviations” other than the true form are considered blasphemy and are treated horribly.) An example of bigotry is shown when David spills out: “‘I could have managed it all right by myself if I’d had another hand.’ My voice must have carried, for silence fell on the whole room like a clap.”(26), and his father Joseph says “’you blasphemed, boy. You found fault with the Norm. Everybody here heard you. What have you to say to that? You know what the Norm is?’”(27) And when David answers “’The Norm is the Image of God’.” Joseph replies “’you do know – and yet, knowing this, you deliberately wish yourself a mutant.

You, my son committing blasphemy, and before his parents!’”, and he gets so mad to the point of saying “’Now go to your room, and pray. Pray, you wretched boy for a forgiveness you do not deserve…’” (27). I would take this text the clearest example of bigotry in the beginning part of the book. It clearly tells the beliefs of his family and shows how Joseph is very mad at his own son for saying something that goes against his beliefs. He gets so mad to the point where he feels ashamed that David is his son, and forces him into his room without giving him anything to eat. Then, the second example of bigotry is shown when a group of deviants is discovered. “’If you could see what they’ve done to her…. Oh, Katherine,