The Chrysalids Research Paper

Religion’s controversy and its effect on today’s society
History has been troubled many times by the combats created by the controversy between science and religion. In John Wyndham’s The Chrysalids, children live in a theocracy where the image of God is strongly enforced and anything opposing the religion would be cast away. Therefore, these quarrels between fact and fiction must have reshaped today’s society. Cultures with powerful views and being scared of any difference like in The Chrysalids have greatly affected humanity and culture, and these habits will linger eternally.
First of all, oppressive beliefs and strict policies have made people believe in insane ideas. For example, Waknuk’s community in The Chrysalids believe that

to avoid God’s tribulation, they need to follow all his orders by following the Bible and Nicholson’s Repentances to the word. As a matter of fact, people are penalized if their children do not appear like perfect replicas of God’s image. Sophie Wender, David Strorm’s childhood friend, was banished because she had six toes instead of five. Also, David’s aunt Harriet had a child who was slightly deviate. Knowing the child wouldn’t pass inspection, Harriet committed suicide after being rejected by David’s parents. Joseph Strorm uttered: “Not ashamed of producing a mockery of your Maker- not ashamed of trying to tempt your sister into criminal conspiracy!” (Wyndham 72), after Harriet tried to convince Emily Strorm to switch children for the inspection. In addition, there are always people who rebel against others; these acts take a big role in history and society. In Syria, people still smile and fall in love even with the danger of war always impending on them. Subsequently, a journalist quotes a Syrian mother: “So the matter for her is not preventing her kids from being killed, but more like being killed together” (“Survival in Syria”). This demonstrates that family is critical and being genuine helps motivate peace and acceptance. To summarize, scrupulous thoughts only worsen conditions and that if people cooperated in former wars instead of negotiating, it would have greatly influenced our society and technology today. Moreover, a fear of change causes paranoia when anything is not in typical order.
To begin with, many societies stay in a cocoon-like state if they are scared of change. In attempt to learn and try something new, transitioning out of the comfort bubble is needed. Rejecting change and breaking rules can be greatly punished, especially in a secluded theocracy. As a matter of fact, two teenagers were brutally abused (and one deceased) by members of a church in New York, including their own parents. This theocracy in New Hartford, New York was thought dangerous because its pastor Jerry Irwin was unethical, controlling and intimidating, and caused the death of these two innocent adolescents. It is reported that the church prohibited leave, so if anyone left the church they were walking into Satan’s hands. In other words, any difference is strictly forbidden. "There are certainly cases of charismatic leaders who abuse their power," Bromley said. Additionally, being scared of change is greatly shown in The Chrysalids, since the Strorm's house is filled with proverbs that mutation is bad. An example of a commandment would be: “Watch thou mutant!” (Wyndham 18). This society burns any crops, abandon any human and slaughters any livestock which is in a slightest way deviate. In fact, the Waknuk people chased David, Petra and Rosalind when they were fleeing because the Waknuk people were furious that deviates were living among their society all along. They even tortured Sally and Katherine (who also have telepathy) to make them reveal information about David, Petra and Rosalind. Furthermore, this confirms that Waknuk’s society is so terrified by anything out of the norm that they simply punish anything wrong. Altogether, rejecting change and eliminating any difference.
In conclusion, human nature has been greatly impaired by conflicts and beliefs and most cultures think they are absolute even if they mask the true problems. These societies often turn out to be afraid of change and close-minded. Hence, no utopia will ever exist, however it would be interesting to see a future where religion is more integrated into science.