The Chrysalids
Chapter 3
by Wyndham, JohnThe chapter follows the narrator’s visits to Sophie, a girl he befriends, during their informal schooling breaks. Their mornings are spent learning basic skills from elderly women, leaving afternoons free for exploration. Once Sophie’s injured ankle heals, she shows him her favorite spots, and he takes her to see a steam-engine, a rare and prized possession in their community. The engine’s rhythmic noises and mechanical movements fascinate them briefly before becoming monotonous, prompting them to climb a nearby wood-pile. There, they discuss the “Old People,” with Sophie skeptical of the legends about their advanced abilities, while the narrator insists on their marvels.
Their conversation shifts to the Old People’s supposed ability to fly, which Sophie dismisses as impossible. The narrator considers sharing a dream about flying objects but decides against it, recognizing its lack of credibility. Later, they visit Sophie’s home, where her father, John Wender, greets them warmly. Though initially wary of the narrator, Wender eventually befriends him, though the narrator senses lingering unease. The chapter hints at underlying tensions, particularly Wender’s concern over Sophie’s sprained ankle and the narrator’s involvement, suggesting deeper conflicts in their society.
A flashback reveals a tense incident at the narrator’s home, where an offhand remark about needing “another hand” sparks outrage from his father. The father interprets this as blasphemy, accusing his son of rejecting the “Norm”—the divinely ordained human form. The narrator’s attempts to explain are dismissed, and he is forced to recite doctrine about the Norm being the “Image of God.” The confrontation underscores the rigid, oppressive beliefs of their community, where even casual expressions can be condemned as heresy.
The chapter highlights the contrast between the children’s curiosity and the adults’ dogmatic adherence to tradition. The narrator’s friendship with Sophie and their discussions about the Old People reflect a yearning for knowledge beyond their restrictive world. Meanwhile, the father’s harsh reaction to the narrator’s innocent remark illustrates the fear and intolerance surrounding deviations from the Norm. This tension between exploration and repression sets the stage for broader conflicts in the narrative, emphasizing themes of conformity, rebellion, and the search for truth.
FAQs
1. How does the educational system described in the chapter reflect the society’s values and priorities?
Answer:
The chapter reveals a rudimentary education system where “half a dozen children” are taught basic literacy and arithmetic by “several old women” in the mornings. This sparse arrangement suggests a society that prioritizes practical survival skills over formal education. The casual nature of schooling—where children can easily slip away unnoticed—implies education isn’t highly valued or rigorously enforced. This aligns with the chapter’s portrayal of a rustic, possibly post-industrial community where manual labor and traditional knowledge (like John Wender’s skin-stretching craft) hold more importance than academic pursuits. The system reflects a world where resources are limited and societal structures are simple.2. Analyze the significance of the steam-engine scene in developing the themes of technological legacy and human progress.
Answer:
The steam-engine scene serves as a powerful symbol of technological regression and curiosity. The children’s fascination with the “only steam-engine within a hundred miles”—despite its monotonous operation—highlights their society’s diminished technological capacity compared to the “Old People.” Their debate about whether the Old People were “magicians” or could fly reveals a tension between awe and skepticism toward past advancements. This moment underscores the novel’s exploration of how knowledge degrades over time and how legends form around lost technologies. The engine becomes a tangible link to a more advanced past that the current generation struggles to comprehend.3. Why does David’s innocent remark about “another hand” provoke such an extreme reaction from his father and others?
Answer:
David’s comment triggers a violent reaction because it violates a fundamental societal taboo—the “Norm,” defined as “the Image of God.” In this rigidly religious society, any expression of dissatisfaction with human form (or desire for physical alteration) is equated with blasphemy and mutation. Joseph Strorm’s accusation that David was “calling upon the Devil” reveals a deep-seated fear of biological deviation. The collective shock (“silence fell like a clap”) shows how thoroughly this ideology has been internalized. This incident foreshadows later conflicts about physical differences and sets up the novel’s central tension between biological purity and variation.4. Compare and contrast the attitudes of Uncle Axel and John Wender toward the Old People’s technology. What might this reveal about their characters?
Answer:
Uncle Axel expresses admiration for the Old People’s superior technology (“much better engines”), suggesting an open, curious mindset willing to acknowledge past achievements. In contrast, John Wender dismisses their accomplishments as implausible (“too wonderful to be true”), reflecting skepticism or perhaps willful ignorance. Axel’s perspective aligns with his later role as David’s ally, while Wender’s cautious view may stem from his need to protect Sophie’s secret. Their differing attitudes represent two approaches to lost knowledge: one embracing its possibilities, the other distrusting its implications—a dichotomy that becomes central to the novel’s exploration of truth and dogma.5. How does the chapter establish tension around Sophie’s character and her relationship with David?
Answer:
The chapter builds subtle tension through John Wender’s uneasy watchfulness over David (“watching me uneasily”) and the revelation that he considered killing David to protect Sophie’s secret. This creates dramatic irony—we understand the danger David is in, while he remains largely unaware. Their friendship is framed as transgressive from the start (David sneaks away to visit her), with Sophie’s recovered ankle marking both physical healing and the beginning of their risky bond. The later hand-wrapping incident mirrors Sophie’s foot revelation, linking their fates. These elements establish Sophie as both a source of joy and potential peril for David in this intolerant society.
Quotes
1. “‘My Uncle Axel says the Old People must have had much better engines than this.’ […] ‘My father says that if one-quarter of the things they say about the Old People are true, they must have been magicians: not real people, at all.’”
This exchange between David and Sophie captures the central tension between wonder and skepticism regarding the “Old People” (pre-apocalyptic civilization). Their differing perspectives foreshadow the novel’s exploration of lost knowledge and technological regression.
2. “‘Things can either fly, or they can’t, and we can’t,’ she said.”
Sophie’s pragmatic dismissal of human flight represents the rigid, limited worldview of their society. This contrasts with David’s imaginative curiosity about the past, establishing a key character dynamic.
3. “His expression was grim. ‘You—my own son—were calling upon the Devil to give you another hand!’”
This intense confrontation reveals the extreme religious dogma governing their society, where even hypothetical statements about physical form are considered blasphemy against “the Norm.” It demonstrates the oppressive ideological environment David must navigate.
4. “‘The Norm is the Image of God.’”
This doctrinal phrase, recited under duress by David, encapsulates the fundamentalist belief system that defines and restricts their society. The capitalization of “Norm” emphasizes its sacred status as an unchallengeable standard.
5. “He must, I think, have been greatly tempted by the thought that a dead boy could break no promise… . Perhaps Mrs Wender saved me… .”
David’s retrospective reflection reveals the life-and-death stakes surrounding Sophie’s secret (her physical difference). This passage hints at the violent consequences of deviating from “the Norm” in their society.