The Chrysalids

1. The Chrysalids

2. Chrysalid – n. a chrysalis adj. relating to or resembling a chrysalis

3. A chrysalis is the pupal stage of butterflies. Within the chrysalis, growth and differentiation occur. The adult butterfly emerges from this and expands its wings – a change called metamorphosis.

4. Artist Medium Receiver (art) The communication model above demonstrates the relationship between an artist and the receiver of the art. When an artist sets out to create art, she/he determines three main things: Purpose: What am I trying to accomplish? Audience: For whom am I creating this art? Medium: What art form am I going to use?

5. John Wyndham John Wyndham (1903-1969) is one of the most important and widely read British writers of science fiction. Wyndham began publishing science fiction in the 1930s but it was only after the Second World War, following refinements to his writing style and subject matter, that he gained critical and popular acclaim. Wyndham achieved particular success with The Day of the Triffids (1951), The Kraken Wakes (1953) (also known as Out of the Deeps), The Chrysalids (1955) and The Midwich Cuckoos (1957) (also known as Village of the Damned). These carefully crafted stories instantly captured the imagination of the public worldwide and have since become classics of science fiction. Wyndham's stylish explorations of the social effects of sudden change not only reflect the anxieties of post-War Britain in particular but also possess wider and enduring relevance and popularity.

6. Three Purposes of Literature • To entertain • To teach • To raise questions (about things already decided) Analyzing literature intellectually requires the awareness that any text does all three of these things simultaneously – although the author may intend one or more of them explicitly. When you read and evaluate literature, you must be aware of these three purposes, and make decisions for yourself.

7. The archived manuscript’s title page – Does it suggest anything about the content? Theme(s)?

8. The Novel Genre Novel – a fictitious prose narrative of considerable length and complexity. The novel is a unique genre with its own unique features (like short story, play, and poetry). Within those features, there is much room for variation. The word “novel” means “new” (from latin: nova; French: nouvelle). In the 18th Century, the novel emerged as a new form of writing. Note that the following are NOT novels: novellas (a sort of very short novel, or long short story); novelizations (when a screenplay is turned into novel form).

9. In a novel, all of the elements of the short story are present: Plot Character Setting Atmosphere Style But there are many more characters in many more situations, many more and various conflicts, and probably many themes (although there tends to be one central theme or message).

10. Structure of a Novel Like other story genres, novels are structured with a beginning, middle, and end. Structurally, it follows the same basic pattern as a short story, and contains many of the same elements.

11. Pre-reading Exercise: Novel Covers A number of covers from different editions of the novel are depicted in the slides that follow (as well as one poster for a never-made film). Examine each cover, and make predictions about what the novel is about.

18. Genre – Science Fiction Science fiction is a broad genre of fiction that often involves one or more of the following elements: • A setting in the future or in an alternate timeline. • A setting in outer space or involving aliens or unknown civilizations. • The discovery or application of new scientific principles or new technology, such as time travel or robots. Science fiction differs from fantasy in that its imaginary elements are usually possible within established laws of nature (although some elements might be entirely imaginative).

19. Bildungsroman bildungsroman; (German: "novel of education") is a coming-of-age kind of novel in which the author presents the psychological, moral and social shaping of the personality of a usually young main character (the protagonist). The bildungsroman generally takes the following course: • The protagonist grows from child to adult throughout the novel. • A loss or some discontent must, at an early stage, jar the protagonist away from the home or family setting to embark on a journey. • The protagonist slowly and gradually matures through clashes between the protagonist's needs and desires and the views and judgments enforced by an unbending social order. • The novel ends with the protagonist's assessment of himself and his new place in his/her society (i.e. adulthood).

20. Setting Setting = Place + Time We must infer the setting of the story. What do you know about the setting already? After reading Chapter 1, brainstorm what you know about the setting already.

21. Chapter 1 A Dream and the Definition

22. Characters -Initial notes on the Strorm Family David Strorm – The narrator and protagonist. Elias Strorm – David’s grandfather; not a character in the story, but founded Waknuk and was instrumental in developing the village’s philosophy. Joseph Strorm – David’s father and Waknuk community leader; champion of “purity” in all forms of life. Emily Strorm – David’s mother.

23. Characters -Initial notes on the Strorm Family Petra Strorm – David’s younger sister. Aunt Harriet – Emily Strorm’s sister. Uncle Axel – Emily Storm’s brother-in-law; broad-minded and philosophical. Rosalind Morton – David’s half-cousin. Angus Morton – Rosalind’s father, owns the farm next to the Strorms’ and often disagrees with Joseph Strorm.

24. Plot Remember the PLOT LINE of the novel: 1. Exposition (beginning) – Characters, setting, atmosphere, main problem (inciting force). How many of these can you describe or make guesses about after Chapter 1?

25. Chapter 1 – Content Questions • What is the subject of David’s dream? • What suggests that David’s dream is not just a dream? • Approximately how old is David when the story opens? • What is Tribulation? • Who were the Old People? • How is Sophie “different”?

26. Chapter 1 – Content Questions 7. What symbol does Sophie’s mother have on her dress? What does it symbolize? 8. Why is Sophie’s mother worried? 9. Why is David puzzled when Sophie’s mother calls him “a good boy”? 10. What is “blasphemy”? What is it specifically in this novel?

27. Chapter 1 –Inference/Discussion Questions • Identify three places where suggestions or hints are given that David’s world is an unusual world. • In spite of what he had been taught (about mutations), David feels no revulsion (disgust) towards Sophie. Why is this so? • Describe where Sophie lives. Do not limit your description to physical features; describe what kind of home it is. • Why did Sophie not want David to see her foot? • How does the Waknuk society feel about any mutations? Explain how you know.

28. Chapter 2 Watch Thou for the Mutant

29. Pre-reading Questions • Why does it matter which books we read and learn about in school? • Are there books we should not study in school? Why or why not? • How important is environment to education? • What role(s) do environmental elements play in your education? (Think of the physical classroom environment – Things you see, like posters and decorations; temperature; light; heat; smell…)

30. ONLY THE IMAGE OF GOD IS MAN KEEP PURE THE STOCK OF THE LORD BLESSED IS THE NORM THE DEVIL IS THE FATHER OF DEVIATION These are all signs on the walls in the Strorm household, as well as:

31. WATCH THOU FOR THE MUTANT!

32. The Books There are only two books in Waknuk society, and they are the basis of the education system there: • The Christian Bible – the primary book of the Christian faith (i.e. the books of the Jewish faith + the New Testament). 2) Nicholson’s Repentances – an interpretation of the Bible; a guide to morality that details how to turn away from the path of disobedience to the Christian God of the Bible. Repentances defines “man”, describes deviation, and either details or empowers people to make strict rules about dealing with mutants. Because David’s society is a Christian one, some understanding of the Bible and the idea of repentance is necessary to understand the society of the novel.

33. Christian Personae:God and the Devil God is the sole deity in monotheism. God is most often conceived of as the supernatural creator and overseer of the universe. In the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic faiths (and their offshoots), God (Yahweh) is the law-giver. He dictated the rules by which humans should conduct their lives on Earth to a few humans, who enshrined those ideas in books. To fail to live by the rules of those books is to risk falling out of favour with God, and the only way to return to His favour is through repentance. A depiction of God from the Sistine Chapel. God has been represented by the image of a wizened old man, but is often said to exist outside the natural world and so is unable to be depicted.

34. Christian Personae:God and the Devil The Devil is believed in certain religions and folklore to be a powerful, supernatural entity that is the personification of “evil”. In the major monotheistic faiths, the Devil is the direct enemy of God and humankind. It is through his involvement that people break the rules laid down by God. Some faiths argue that doing so brings God’s wrath on Earth, while others argue that doing so condemns one to Hell, a supernatural space of torment and misery where the Devil resides. A depiction of the Devil. The Devil’s portrayal has changed in each society to be fearsome and frightening for the members of that society; some argue that the Devil is a shapeshifter.

35. Christian stories:Tribulations 1) The Fall – In the Golden Age, Adam and Eve were at one with God’s grace. They ate the forbidden fruit; humankind is removed from God’s grace, and must forever struggle on Earth to return to His grace. 2) The Flood – People are “wicked”; God kills them all except the handful who remained true to him, i.e. in his grace. This is a sort of re-start for humanity: Another chance to remain in grace. 3) The Plague – When the Black Death struck Europe in the middle ages, many clergy members said it was the wrath of God, punishing mankind for its ways. The punishment was grisly, and the death toll was very high. (Some people have said this about many diseases, at various times.) 4) Revelations – The last book of the Bible predicts a future Tribulation period in which the world ends, and everyone meets their ultimate fate. During that time, people will have a final chance to return to God’s grace before the end. After each tribulation, humankind is given the opportunity to return to the grace of God by following his rules again.

36. In the novel:The Tribulation In the novel, we learn that an event took place some time in the past called the Tribulation. The people of Waknuk believe this Tribulation, like the others, to be a sign of a fall from grace with God. The Tribulation has apparently removed all knowledge of science, particularly biological science and evolution. Mutations of genes in plants result in “Offences”, and in humans results in “Blasphemies”. Joseph Strorm believes that deviations from the Definition of Man (i.e. “the Norm”) are the Devil’s work, and need to be eradicated in order for their society to be “pure”, and achieve God’s grace once again.

37. Setting – Timeline In this chapter, the following chronology is revealed: The Golden Age The Fall Time of the Old People The Tribulation The Age of Barbarism David’s Present Time

38. Golden Age Tales TIME The IRON AGE (time of difficulties and tribulations) The Golden Age/ Heaven/Afterlife/ Eden NOWNew Jerusalem

39. Chapter 2 • When David returns home, why did he climb in a window? • Name the district in which David lives. • What hangs on The Wenders’ walls in Chapter 1? How does this contrast with the Strorms’ wall decorations in Chapter 2? • Define each of the following in the context of the novel: a. Norm b. offense c. blasphemy d. deviations

40. 5. Why did people die when they went into the “Badlands”? 6. Who were the Fringe people? Why did they attack David’s people? 7. Who is Axel? What is his occupation? Make an inference about why his occupation is important to the story. 8. The Fringe people share only a few characteristics in common, and for these they are sent to “the Fringes”. Who are the “fringe people” in our society?

41. Setting Based on what you have learned about the geography, the Old People, and the Tribulation, how would you describe the setting of the novel?

43. Setting

44. Setting The novel is set in the village of Waknuk, in what was formerly Labrador. The Old People are us, and the Tribulation is an event that brought about the end of our society. Thus, the story is set in the future, although the lifestyle of the people suggests a parallel to life in the late-seventeenth to nineteenth centuries (pre-Industrial era).

45. Chapter 2 –Inference/Discussion Questions • Read the description of Elias Strorm on p. 16. • In your own words, describe Elias Strorm. • Elias might be described as a “fundamentalist”. What is a fundamentalist? • Read the description of Elias Strorm’s wife on p. 16. • What does this suggest about their relationship? How do you know? • What does it imply about the position of women in the society he establishes?

46. Chapter 2 –Inference/Discussion Questions 3. How was David’s mother different from his grandmother? 4. How was David’s father like his own father? 5. Did David’s father live the way he preached for people to live? Quote a line from the novel that supports your answer.

47. Chapter 3 The Purification and Another Dream

48. How to Study a Novel:Chapter Notes Take notes on each chapter as you read. Characters – List each character. Give their full names, and a brief descriptor of the character. Setting – Where does this part of the novel take place? Name the significant locations, and describe notable features. Plot – In a sentence (or two), what happens in each chapter? (Or, what is the most important thing that happens in the chapter?) Questions/Predictions – Write down any questions the chapter raises in your mind, and make predictions about what you think will happen next or how the story will end.

49. TRUTH What is “truth”? How do we determine what is “true”? Revealed Truth vs. Scientific Truth (observation/theory)

50. Revealed Truth (culture-based truth) v. Scientific Truth The MAIN DIFFERENCE between scientific truth and revealed truth is that scientific truth is open to revision, whereas revealed truth is not. Scientific theories provide a framework for making predictions about how the universe will behave, and then testing those predictions. If they are shown wrong (in whole or in part) the theory is revised. Prophecies (i.e. revealed truth) make vague predictions that are open to broad interpretation and are entirely untestable. Once written down and accepted, prophecies are un-revisable.