In every story of tragic events, there is always a visible spark of hope. The novel The Chrysalids by John Wyndham is a story of great despair and tragedy, but with visible hope. The protagonist, David along with his companions face various challenges, which result in double-edged swords showing despair everywhere; however, towards the end, despair breaks, allowing hope to shine through. The desperation is evident throughout the book, especially as the citizens of Waknuk oppress those who are different. “Katherine, a girl from a nearby farm who could produce thought forms similar to David's, was discovered and taken to the inspector, where she was 'broken'. Sally, who was also taken with Katherine to the inspector, told the rest of the thought shapers: "They've broken Katherine... Oh Katherine darling... [they're] torturing her... She's all troubled now." She can't hear us. His thoughts dissolved into formless distress. (Wyndham 130). Clearly, Katherine was injured badly enough to reveal her ability to produce thought forms that would put all thought shapers in danger and tortured enough for Sally to send distress showing how desperate they are. Additionally, when David discovers that his father was part of the group who came to fight the Fringe, he is in pure distress. He states: “'Purity…' I said. “The will of the Lord. Honor your father... Am I supposed to forgive him! Or try to kill him?' » (182). David is conflicted and rather troubled between his respect and love for his father, but as a deviant, they fight for different sides and he knows that either he or his father will eventually die. Moreover, during the battle itself, one of David's most loyal friends appears before his eyes. D...... middle of paper ...... Even with the bigoted city of Waknuk and its purity laws, hope is still evident in the events of the novel. In conclusion, hope and despair are intertwined in The Chrysalides. Desperation is evident throughout the book and torments each character in its own way, killing, injuring, and/or scarring, ultimately leaving each character changed. Although despair is undeniably present, hope unfortunately does not prevail among all but a few of the characters. David, Rosalind and Petra arrive safely at Sealand while Michael, saved from the battle, returns to find his love Rachel; both to one day reach Sealand. Wherever there is great despair, hope will always be present in one way or another, because without despair there would be no reason for hope. Hope is humanity's most powerful weapon against despair and misery, which would be meaningless without tragedy to give it meaning...