The Chrysalids
Chapter 17
by Wyndham, JohnThe chapter opens with a tense scene where the characters are immobilized by sticky, thread-like strands falling on them, causing discomfort and alarm. Michael considers fleeing but is reassured by the Sealand woman, who urges patience. Rosalind echoes this to Petra, emphasizing the need to remain still. The oppressive silence after the machine’s noise stops heightens the tension, as the characters struggle against the strands binding them, unable to speak or move freely. The Sealand woman eventually locates Michael through telepathic counting, guiding her to their position in the cave.
Rescue arrives as the Sealand woman, clad in a protective white suit, sprays a dissolving agent to free the group from the sticky filaments. The machine responsible for the strands is revealed to be a fish-shaped vehicle with a conical spiral device, now motionless. The clearing outside is eerily frozen, covered in white threads, with men and horses petrified mid-movement. The scene grows more unsettling as trees and bushes begin to collapse unnaturally, adding to the surreal and alarming atmosphere. The characters, though relieved, remain wary of their surroundings.
The Sealand woman removes her hood, revealing a strikingly fair and flawless appearance that captivates the group. Her confidence and serenity contrast with their earlier fear, and she focuses intently on Petra, sharing a silent, profound connection. Petra, though young, seems to recognize the significance of the moment, responding with unusual seriousness before breaking into a smile. The woman’s reaction—a mix of awe and satisfaction—hints at Petra’s importance, though the exact nature of their interaction remains unclear to the others.
The chapter concludes with the Sealand woman expressing her belief that the ordeal was “worth while,” though her unusual accent makes her words initially hard to understand. She picks up Petra, who touches her face in wonder, as if confirming her reality. The woman’s laughter and kiss convey a deep sense of fulfillment, leaving the group—and the reader—to ponder the deeper implications of her presence and Petra’s role in the unfolding events. The scene ends on a note of mystery and anticipation.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of the “sticky strands” described in the chapter, and how do the characters react to them?
Answer:
The sticky strands are a central element of tension in this chapter, creating a physical and psychological challenge for the characters. The strands fall with a “feathery, tickling touch” but gradually become painful as they tug on the skin like fine cords, making it difficult to move or speak. The characters demonstrate remarkable discipline by lying still despite the discomfort, showing their trust in the Sealand woman’s guidance. Rosalind emphasizes patience to Petra, while Michael briefly considers fleeing before being reassured. The strands ultimately serve as a tool of immobilization, likely deployed by the Sealand woman’s machine to neutralize threats in the clearing.2. Analyze the role of the Sealand woman in this chapter. How does her arrival change the dynamics among the characters?
Answer:
The Sealand woman acts as both a rescuer and a mysterious authority figure. Her reassurances calm the group during the stressful ordeal with the sticky strands, and her practical solution (the spray from her metal bottle) demonstrates advanced technology. Her presence shifts the group’s dynamic from uncertainty to reliance, particularly for Petra, who shares a profound, wordless connection with her. The woman’s physical description—her flawless appearance, confidence, and short hair—sets her apart as someone from a radically different culture. Her intervention not only saves the group but also hints at a larger purpose, especially when she remarks, “It was worth while,” suggesting Petra’s significance.3. How does the author create a sense of tension and surrealism in the clearing after the machine stops?
Answer:
The author builds tension through vivid sensory details and unnatural imagery. The silence after the machine stops is “shocking,” emphasizing the abrupt end to the whirring noise. The clearing becomes eerily motionless, with men, horses, and even spiderweb-like strands frozen in place. The surreal disintegration of the environment—trees breaking, bushes uprooting, and shacks collapsing—adds to the uncanny atmosphere. This decay contrasts with the Sealand woman’s controlled actions, heightening the sense that her technology has disrupted the natural order. The scene feels dreamlike, blending horror (the petrified figures) with wonder (the machine’s effects).4. What might the interaction between Petra and the Sealand woman suggest about Petra’s importance in the story?
Answer:
Their interaction implies Petra is uniquely significant. The woman’s gaze carries “a touch of something very like awe,” and Petra responds with unusual seriousness, sensing this is a pivotal moment. The woman’s remark, “It was worth while,” underscores that Petra was worth rescuing, hinting at her potential role in a larger conflict or societal plan. Their silent communication (possibly telepathic) suggests Petra has abilities the others lack. The woman’s physical tenderness—kissing Petra and allowing her to touch her face—further highlights a special bond, positioning Petra as a bridge between their world and the Sealand woman’s advanced civilization.5. Compare the descriptions of the Sealand woman and Rosalind. What do these contrasts reveal about their respective backgrounds?
Answer:
The Sealand woman’s “lightness of face” and unblemished skin contrast sharply with Rosalind’s more grounded self-reliance, which the narrator calls “almost bravado.” The woman’s short hair and serene confidence mark her as part of a culture unbound by traditional norms, while Rosalind’s traits suggest resilience forged through hardship. The woman’s advanced technology (the spray, the machine) and her untouchable demeanor imply she comes from a privileged, possibly post-scarcity society. Rosalind, meanwhile, embodies practicality and protectiveness, reflecting a life of struggle. These contrasts highlight the divide between their worlds—one of advanced stability, the other of survival.
Quotes
1. “It needs a lot of resolution to lie perfectly still while you feel more and more sticky strands falling with a feathery, tickling touch across your face and hands: and still more when you begin to feel that those which landed first press on your skin like fine cords, and tug gently at it.”
This quote vividly captures the visceral tension of the scene, illustrating the characters’ forced stillness under an invasive, unnatural substance. It sets the tone for the chapter’s suspense and introduces the physical stakes of their predicament.
2. “The clearing itself looked as if a fantastic number of spiders had spun there with all their might and main. The place was festooned with threads, which appeared more white than glossy now: it took a moment or two of feeling something was wrong with them before one perceived that they failed to move in the breeze as webs would.”
This description powerfully conveys the eerie, unnatural aftermath of the machine’s effects, blending familiar imagery (spiderwebs) with unsettling wrongness. It marks a key turning point where the characters observe the full scope of the transformation around them.
3. “But more than anything it was the lightness of her face that made us stare. It was not pallor, it was simply fairness, like new cream, and with cheeks that might have been dusted with pink petals. There was scarcely a line in its smoothness, it seemed all new and perfect, as if neither wind nor rain had ever touched her.”
This poetic depiction of the Sealand woman introduces her almost supernatural perfection, contrasting sharply with the grim setting. It represents the chapter’s thematic exploration of difference and the unknown, hinting at her otherworldly nature.
4. “‘It was worth while,’ she said in words, but words so curiously pronounced that I scarcely understood them at first. ‘Yes. Certainly, it was worth while!’”
This climactic statement from the Sealand woman, with its unusual diction, underscores the significance of finding Petra. It encapsulates the chapter’s emotional payoff and hints at larger implications about Petra’s importance to their world.