Assess The Significance Of The Relationship Between Joseph And David Strorm

What is the significance of the relationship between David Strorm and his father, Joseph? Why do you think this relationship is so important to the themes of the novel?

The relationship between David Strorm and his father Joseph Strorm is very significant in affiliation to the themes of the novel. According to the novel ‘The Chrysalids’ by ‘John Wyndham’, the society during David Strorm’s period considers anything unlike the true image of God as deviations. While it’s shown that Joseph Strorm was an extremely pious and devoted man, the twist in the tale arises when it is revealed that David is able to communicate through thoughts and shapes, an ability which can possibly be considered a blasphemy by the society. This theme of the novel questions the social and ethical values of people and has a major effect on the turn of events and characterization of the novel.

David Strorm and Joseph Strorm have a highly distinct relationship of a father and a son.

David’s father is positioned as the magistrate of Waknuk and is greatly respected and feared of, for his obligation towards religion. Due to Joseph’s strict nature, he saw no difference between the residents of Waknuk and his family, to which he showed no affection a man would towards his loved ones. This trait of Joseph Strorm had majorly affected David’s perception of his father. A major dispute between Joseph and David aroused when he discovered David befriending a deviated girl. Joseph had caused a great deal of chaos by informing the inspector without even thinking once about his family. He lashed out at David, beat him, and ordered him to go to his room in front of

everyone.
‘My father and the inspector were in the seldom-used rather formal room at the front. I seemed to arrive at a crucial time. The inspector looked much as usual. But my father was thunderous’ Chapter 5.
The above characteristic trait of Father Strorm gave David a bad perspective of his father, in contradiction to how children would respect and take inspiration from their parents.
The characteristic traits of David Strorm have been majorly affected by the relationship between him and his father. When he meets Sophie for the first time, he reflects on whose son he is, and what role his father plays in the society. Joseph’s strict nature towards mutants gives David constant nightmares of Sophie being abandoned and burnt alive by his father, for having a deviation. Moreover, he frequently dreams of Aunt Harriet floating in the water after committing suicide with her child.
‘It was her face as she drove away’, I explained. ‘I’ve never seen anyone look like that before. I keep on seeing it in the water.’ Chapter 8.
The other characteristic trait of David that is influenced by his relationship with his father, is the importance he gives to his family. Towards the end of the story, when David and Petra leave Waknuk, he doesn’t contemplate once about his sister Mary or his mother. [Mention the father’s death scene and what was occurring] Although, he was not close to Joseph, as a son, David is expected to show the least grief on his death which did not occur at all. Therefore, it is seen that David’s thoughts and actions were both influenced by his relationship with his father.
Although, David’s relationship with his father had been an obstacle for him throughout the plot, it is the one thing that makes David much more mature and independent. This can be seen when David had a chance to leave with Sophie’s family, he respected his father and also for the sake of Sophie, he came back in spite of knowing the harsh consequences.
(‘The words were like a clumsy repetition. Her thoughts had been much clearer, and I had already had to accept the inevitable decision’) Chapter 5
He understood at a young age that he has to keep his gifted quality a secret and was able to maintain it throughout the novel. Once he found out about Petra, he took extra care of her, explained everything to her and also helped her in developing her skill for thinking in thought shapes. From the time David, Petra and Rosalind leave to the Fringes to protect themselves, David makes sure that Petra and Rosalind are at any cost.
From the above reasons, it can be concluded that, Joseph Strorm was prime antagonist of the novel. Though, he was not an inspiring character, the plot of the story would not have been as engaging without him as he is the main conflict of the entire novel. The existence of Joseph’s character also made David’s character standout without which his quality of thinking in though shapes would not have been as appealing. Therefore, David and Joseph’s Strorm’s relationship is significant in affiliation to the themes of the novel.