Societies and their differences
Beryl Clarke, Contributor

Some of us treat opportunity like sand

We fill our hands with it, and then let

it slip through our fingers.

Your opportunities must be grasped and used to build your future.

In last week's lesson we started our exploration of The Chrysalids, and at the end I promised that we would continue by looking at the differences and similarities between the society in the story and our time.

DIFFERENCES

1. If someone had a dream of something alien to their society, that person could not speak of it because he or she could be seen as different, perhaps as a mutant.

2. Being left-handed caused disapproval.

3. Having an extra toe or two could get one into trouble as it was considered 'hateful in the sight of God'.

4. There are some things called 'offences'; things which did not look right. That is to say they did not look like their human parents or parent plant or parent animal. Usually, there was only a small difference but, however much or little, it was considered an 'offence' in plant or animal. If it was a human, then it was seen as 'blasphemy', at least that was the technical term, though commonly referred to as 'deviations'.

5. The devil is the father of deviation.

6. Deviations lived in the Fringes.

7. The Badlands are beyond the Fringes and nothing was known about that area.

SIMILARITIES

1. There are rules and regulations that govern how people live.

2. There is an established government.

3. People believe that there is a God and a devil.

4. Some people are rigid in their beliefs.

5. People live in family groups.

6. Farming is a way of making a living. (It was the main way in Waknuk.)

7. Children enjoy playing.

8. Children are not naturally prejudiced - it is something they learn from adults.

9. Some parents love their children despite any physical irregularity.

Important words

We have met five important words so far in this text and their meanings help us to begin to have an understanding of the story. They are given below with their meanings.

Tribulation: great affliction, terrible trouble, great disaster.

Mutant: someone who has undergone genetic change.

Fringe: outer limit or area; unimportant area or part.

Deviation: something or someone that is different from that which is normal.

Blasphemy: irreverent talk or treatment of a religious or sacred thing.

These are words that are significant in the post-nuclear disaster world. Their world is divided between those who seem untouched by the catastrophe and others with obviously altered genes, which they pass on to their children. The main body of inhabitants believe that life before affliction or disaster had been good, much better than the one they currently live.

However, I want you to notice that tribulation had fallen upon them, that is, the old people. Isn't it ironic that the modern people who are determined to be pure and avoid any further sin should want to return to the ways of the old people? It is David's father, Joseph, who says "Our ancestors were of the true stock", implying that their ancestors were perfect. It certainly never enters his head to wonder why they had faced disaster and their way of life was destroyed, if they had been such perfect images of God.

Closed minds

Some of the characters we meet in The Chrysalids have closed minds. They are judgemental, constantly watching each other - their crops and animals and even the words they speak. This is in an attempt to ensure the purity of the civilization. Joseph Strorm is especially guilty. He is a fanatic, confident that his opinions are right. He was proven wrong in the case of Daker's cat, but still remains pompous. Later, when we learn that his brother is a mutant (as is his own son), according to their law, we have to wonder if he is so inflexible because he is afraid that if he compromises, members of the community may become suspicious of him. This could also explain why he goes to such lengths to destroy any deviation on his farm.

His wife, too, is unyielding, as is evidenced in the manner in which she handles her sister, Harriet, in her time of severe stress and pain. Harriet gave birth to a baby with a slight physical flaw and, therefore, could not get a certificate which would declare her to be a human being. While we may think of Harriet's request and intention as dishonest, we cannot but realise that Emily is harsh and unfeeling in the way she responds.

We will continue our discussion in our next lesson. You should take time to consider from what we have learnt so far, whether Waknuk is a happy place.

Have a safe and happy week and God bless!

David Geddes (right), director of consumer and public affairs at the Office of Utilities Regulation, signs the attendance form with students of Mona High School while others look on prior to the Green Thinkers presentation of 'Natures Creation Alternative Energy Generation', where Geddes was the guest speaker. The function was held at the University of the West Indies, on Thursday, November 13. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Beryl Clarke teaches at Glenmuir High School.