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  • Essay / The worst form of hypocrisy as depicted in The Chrysalids

    Humanity's intense fear of evil is capable of driving humans to commit grotesque acts of wickedness in order to rid themselves of "evil" in their lives daily. John Wyndham's Chrysalids effectively exposes the hypocrisy and ridicule of a society that executes its members based on their physical appearance in an attempt to remain pure and moral. The citizens of Waknuk essentially commit vicious and evil acts in order to curb the growth of mutants in their society that they view as "evil". First, in order to prevent Sophie from spreading her mutations, they deny her the right to conceive babies. Although it is a little girl, they sterilize her and push her naked to the sidelines. Second, the people of Waknuk mercilessly torture Katherine to learn more about the "thoughtform group" so they can eradicate it. Finally, they track down David, Petra and Rosalind; trying to assassinate them in order to ensure that no one with telepathic abilities is present in their society. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why violent video games should not be banned"? Get the original essay The Wanukians relentlessly attempt to hunt down David, Petra and Rosalind in order to eradicate all remaining mutants with telepathic abilities in their society . The imminent threat to their lives is clearly visible in the lines: "This man cannot have had a moment's doubt about our identity, for even as he saw us he dropped his reins and snatched his arch of his shoulder. Before he had a handle on the rope we had let go of him. The movement of the big horse was unfamiliar to us and we both shot off. He did better. His arrow passed between us, flaying the head of our horse” (The Chrysalides 139). This important quote vividly describes the overwhelming danger in the lives of David, Petra, and Rosalind. The arrow that passed between them could have gone through them!. Obviously, the Wanukians, who see themselves as the true representation of God, are committing a malicious act by attempting to murder three innocent people. Additionally, in order to reach David, Petra and Rosalind, the citizens of Waknuk wage war against the fringe dwellers, leading to the painful deaths of Sophie and Gordon. Clearly, Wyndham has written a thought-provoking novel, ridiculing the Wanukians as grotesque hypocrites who, under the pretext of eradicating "evil", commit far more diabolical acts themselves. The citizens of Waknuk brutally torture Katherine in order to obtain vital information about the whereabouts of the group of thoughtforms. His legs are barbarously burned with “hot irons”. Katherine’s painful fate is clearly depicted through Sally in the lines: “They broke Katherine. They broke her... Oh, Katherine, darling... you must not blame her, any of you. Please don't blame him. They torture her. It could have been any of us. She's all confused now. She can’t hear us… Oh, Katherine, darling…” (The Chrysalids 130). Sally's dramatic pauses and disturbed tone of voice give readers a vivid insight into the pain and anguish Katherine must have endured. Additionally, Wyndham incorporates evocative imagery into this quote to graphically depict the barbaric torture that Katherine had to endure. Clearly, we can see that the Wanukians do not hesitate to resort to violence in their fight against the unknown. They themselves committed an evil act by "torturing Katherine" in an attempt to remain moral and pure. Throughout his dark and painful life,.. 1958.