The Chrysalids
Chapter 13
by Wyndham, JohnThe chapter opens with a tense encounter as the protagonists, riding a great-horse, confront an armed man who immediately draws his bow. A brief skirmish ensues, with both sides exchanging arrows. Rosalind manages to hit the man’s horse, causing it to bolt and throw him into the bushes. The protagonists ride past the fallen man, noting his injuries but leaving him behind. Their primary concern shifts to the riderless horse, which could raise an alarm ahead of them, complicating their escape through the forested terrain.
As they emerge from the forest, they survey a cultivated valley dotted with farms and livestock. Spotting a group of people examining the escaped horse, they decide to press forward rather than risk confrontation. The sight of their massive great-horses terrifies the villagers, who scatter in fear, allowing the duo to pass unhindered. They continue across fields, breaking fences as they go, and eventually reach another stretch of forest. Behind them, the villagers watch in stunned silence, reinforcing the protagonists’ otherness and the fear they inspire.
The landscape shifts as they venture deeper, encountering bizarre, oversized vegetation and unfamiliar terrain. Seeking refuge, they settle in a copse with ordinary grass, where they rest and eat. Their respite is interrupted by Petra, a young companion with extraordinary telepathic abilities, who relays a urgent message from an unknown woman. The message emphasizes Petra’s unparalleled psychic power and the critical need to protect her at all costs, hinting at her significance to an unseen group already sending help.
The chapter concludes with the group grappling with the implications of the message. They question whether the sender misunderstands their identity, possibly mistaking them for primitive “Fringes people.” Despite their skepticism about receiving aid across the impassable Badlands, they acknowledge Petra’s unique abilities. Rosalind, exhausted, opts to delay further discussion, prioritizing rest. The chapter leaves tension unresolved, underscoring the mystery of Petra’s importance and the uncertain promise of outside assistance.
FAQs
1. What was the immediate reaction of the man when he first saw the protagonists, and how did the confrontation unfold?
Answer:
The man immediately recognized the protagonists and reacted defensively by dropping his reins and grabbing his bow. Before he could nock an arrow, both protagonists shot at him but missed due to the unfamiliar movement of their great-horse. The man managed to shoot an arrow that narrowly passed between them, grazing their horse’s head. Rosalind’s second shot hit his horse in the chest, causing it to rear and eventually bolt away after being struck again by the protagonist. The man was thrown into the bushes, and the protagonists rode past him without stopping, leaving him bruised but alive. This confrontation created a new problem as the wounded, riderless horse could spread alarm ahead of them.2. How does the description of the cultivated valley and the farm reflect the broader setting of the story?
Answer:
The cultivated valley represents a transitional zone between civilized lands and the Wild Country. The presence of deviant crops (possibly mutated oats) and the primitive farm structures suggest this area is on the fringe of societal control, where purity standards are not strictly enforced. The farm’s inhabitants’ shock at seeing the great-horses—creatures unfamiliar to them—highlights their isolation and the protagonists’ movement into less controlled territories. The broken fences and the group’s fearful reaction emphasize the protagonists’ superior strength and the tension between them and the local populace, foreshadowing the challenges of navigating this liminal space.3. What is the significance of Petra’s telepathic communication and the message she relays?
Answer:
Petra’s telepathic abilities are unusually powerful, drawing attention from an unknown female figure who emphasizes Petra’s importance. The message stresses that Petra must be protected at all costs, as her natural projection skills are rare without training. This suggests Petra has unique value to an outside group, possibly hinting at a larger conflict or hierarchy involving telepaths. The protagonists’ confusion—interpreting the message as implying they are “primitive”—reveals their limited understanding of the broader world and sets up future revelations about their society’s place in a wider context. The promise of incoming help, despite geographical barriers like the Badlands, introduces suspense about unseen allies or threats.4. How does the chapter use the great-horses as both a practical tool and a symbolic element?
Answer:
Practically, the great-horses provide speed and strength, enabling the protagonists to overpower adversaries (e.g., breaking fences, intimidating farmfolk) and traverse difficult terrain. Symbolically, they represent the protagonists’ exceptional status—their size and power evoke awe and fear in ordinary people, mirroring the protagonists’ own psychic gifts. The horses’ unfamiliarity to locals underscores the protagonists’ divergence from societal norms, while their role in protecting Petra aligns with the chapter’s theme of safeguarding rare abilities. The great-horses thus bridge the physical and thematic, embodying both survival and otherness.5. Why might the protagonists’ interpretation of the telepathic message about being “primitive” be ironic or significant?
Answer:
The irony lies in their assumption that the message refers to the Fringes people, when in fact it may critique their own society. The protagonists view themselves as civilized, yet the outsider’s surprise at Petra’s untrained talent implies that their community is considered backward or underdeveloped in telepathic practices. This moment subtly challenges their worldview, suggesting their society might be part of a marginalized or controlled population in a larger system. The misunderstanding foreshadows potential revelations about their true place in the world and the biases they hold.
Quotes
1. “The man cannot have had a moment’s doubt who we were, for even as he saw us he dropped his reins and snatched his bow from his shoulder. Before he had a shaft on the string we had loosed at him.”
This quote captures the immediate tension and violence of the encounter, showcasing the protagonists’ survival instincts and the hostile world they navigate. It sets the tone for the chapter’s action-driven narrative.
2. “The least satisfactory part of the incident was that there was now a wounded, riderless horse spreading an alarm ahead of us.”
This line highlights the strategic thinking of the protagonists amid danger, emphasizing the consequences of their actions and the ever-present threat of pursuit in their journey.
3. “Such a power of projection as she had was unheard of without special training—she was a discovery of the utmost importance.”
This revelation about Petra’s unique abilities marks a turning point in the chapter, introducing the theme of her significance and the urgency of protecting her, which drives the narrative forward.
4. “The urgent emphasis was on importance—the importance not of us, but of Petra. At all costs she must be protected.”
This quote underscores the chapter’s central conflict and stakes, shifting the focus to Petra’s safety and hinting at larger implications for the group’s survival and purpose.
5. “There must be some misunderstanding… Probably Petra somehow gave her the impression we were Fringes people.”
This line reflects the protagonists’ confusion and the cultural divide they face, adding depth to the world-building and the mystery surrounding their communication with the unseen ally.