The Chrysalids
Chapter 5
by Wyndham, JohnThe chapter opens with the narrator, David, reflecting on the lax supervision in Waknuk, allowing him freedom to explore unnoticed. The season is prosperous, with minimal agricultural deviations, earning cautious approval from his father, who sees it as a victory against “Evil.” The community’s focus on work and the low incidence of “Offences” create an atmosphere of contentment, though David remains detached, more interested in his secret adventures with Sophie, a timid girl wary of strangers. Their bond grows as they explore secluded areas, finding solace in each other’s company away from the judgmental eyes of Waknuk.
David and Sophie discover a quiet spot by a stream, where they spend hours fishing for shrimp-like creatures. Sophie, initially hesitant, eventually overcomes her fear and wades into the water, reveling in the simple joy of the experience. Their shared moments highlight her self-consciousness about her physical differences, which David reassures her are not “horrible.” This tender interaction underscores their growing friendship and mutual trust, contrasting sharply with the rigid norms of their society.
Their idyllic routine is disrupted when Alan, a local boy, stumbles upon them. His arrival triggers panic, especially when he notices Sophie’s six-toed footprint—a clear “Offence” in their world. David tries to protect Sophie by distracting Alan, but the damage is done. Alan’s aggressive curiosity and disdain for their activities escalate into a physical confrontation, with David fighting to buy Sophie time to escape. The scene captures the tension between innocence and the harsh realities of their society.
The chapter concludes with Sophie surprising both boys by intervening, hitting Alan with a stone to protect David. Her bold action, though shocking, demonstrates her loyalty and courage. The aftermath leaves Alan unconscious, and the children face the looming consequences of their defiance. The incident foreshadows greater conflicts, as Sophie’s secret—and David’s willingness to defend her—threaten to unravel their fragile sanctuary in a world intolerant of difference.
FAQs
1. What does the unusually low number of Offences in the spring births and the minimal crop condemnations reveal about Waknuk’s societal values?
Answer:
The chapter highlights Waknuk’s obsession with purity and conformity through its focus on the low Offence rates in spring births and minimal crop condemnations. The community measures success by adherence to strict biological and agricultural standards, viewing deviations as “Evil.” The inspector’s single field condemnation and the father’s boast about “giving the forces of Evil quite a setback” underscore their belief in divine retribution for impurities (e.g., the great-horses’ owner being punished). This reflects a dogmatic society that prioritizes orthodoxy over individuality, fearing and ostracizing anything perceived as abnormal.2. How does Sophie’s behavior around strangers, particularly Alan, illustrate the consequences of living as a Deviant in Waknuk’s society?
Answer:
Sophie’s extreme caution around strangers—vanishing “noiselessly” at the sight of adults and viewing everyone but Corky as “dangerous”—demonstrates the constant fear Deviants face. Her six-toed footprint, which Alan notices, symbolizes the lethal risk of exposure in a society that condemns physical differences. Her initial timidity contrasts with her later boldness (hitting Alan with a stone), showing how survival necessitates both concealment and defiance. The scene underscores the oppressive reality for Deviants: even innocent activities like wading become perilous if their identity is discovered.3. Analyze the significance of David’s reaction to Alan discovering Sophie’s footprint. What does this reveal about his loyalty and understanding of societal norms?
Answer:
David’s quick thinking—kicking over the jar to obscure the footprint—shows his protective loyalty to Sophie, but also his awareness of Waknuk’s brutality toward Deviants. His refusal to reveal her name and his physical fight with Alan highlight his rejection of societal norms, prioritizing friendship over conformity. However, his initial “unencouraging” tone with Alan suggests he still navigates societal expectations cautiously. This duality reveals his growing moral conflict: he instinctively challenges Waknuk’s cruelty but hasn’t yet fully articulated its injustice.4. How does the natural setting of the stream and shingle banks contrast with the rigid social structure of Waknuk?
Answer:
The stream symbolizes freedom and innocence, where David and Sophie can momentarily escape societal scrutiny. The “pools and crannies” they explore reflect curiosity and playfulness, starkly opposed to Waknuk’s rigid inspections. Sophie’s joyful laughter while wading and her admiration of her “not horrible” feet contrast with the community’s disgust for her toes. Nature here becomes a sanctuary where their friendship flourishes, untouched by dogma—until Alan intrudes, dragging the outside world’s prejudices into their idyllic space.5. Why is Alan’s contempt for catching “shrimp-things” (versus fishing) thematically significant?
Answer:
Alan’s dismissal of shrimps as “no good” mirrors Waknuk’s intolerance for anything deemed unproductive or unconventional. His preference for fishing—a more “orthodox” activity—aligns with the community’s emphasis on utilitarian values. This subtle detail critiques how societal norms stifle curiosity and diversity; even leisure is judged by rigid standards. His later fixation on Sophie’s deviation reinforces this, showing how Waknuk’s ideology trains individuals to scorn minor differences, paving the way for larger prejudices.
Quotes
1. “Nobody at Waknuk seemed to trouble about me if I was out of sight. It was only when I hung about that they thought of jobs that needed doing.”
This opening line establishes the protagonist’s sense of isolation and freedom in Waknuk, hinting at the societal neglect that allows his secret friendship with Sophie to flourish.
2. “All in all, the season looked like setting up a Purity record, and condemnations were so few that even my father was pleased enough to announce guardedly in one of his addresses that Waknuk would seem to be giving the forces of Evil quite a setback this year.”
This quote reveals the oppressive religious ideology of Waknuk society, where “Purity” is measured by conformity and deviations are seen as “Evil,” setting up the central conflict of the story.
3. “‘They’re not really horrible, are they?’ she said, regarding hers judicially. ‘They’re not horrible at all. They make mine look all knobbly,’ I told her, honestly.”
This tender exchange between David and Sophie about her six-toed feet marks a pivotal moment where Sophie begins to overcome her shame about her physical difference, challenging the society’s rigid norms.
4. “The mark was still damp enough to show the print of all six toes clearly. I kicked over the jar… but I knew, with a sickly feeling, that the harm had been done.”
This dramatic moment captures the constant danger Sophie faces in this intolerant society, where even a single footprint could reveal her “deviation” and lead to persecution.
5. “‘I hit him,’ she said proudly, and with a touch of wonderment. ‘Do you think he’s dead?’”
Sophie’s transformation from fearful outcast to active protector shows her growing courage and agency, while also highlighting the extreme measures required to defend themselves against the society’s intolerance.