The Chrysalids
Beryl Clarke, Contributor

Welcome to our continuing coverage of The Chrysalids.

Last week we briefly considered the character of David Strorm. Today, we look at two of my favourite people in this book, Rosalind and Uncle Axel.

Who is Rosalind? What role does she play? Like David, Rosalind is a telepath; so, she has a big secret and this defines her conduct. Mr Strorm and Mr Morton, Rosalind's father are enemies, even though they are half-brothers. They are constantly sniping at each other. I am sure that you remember the quarrel between them concerning the great horses.

The district in which they live has a high normality rate, the result of the close watch that the brothers keep on each other's crops and animals. This, however, does not lessen the acrimony between them. What it does is curtail the open association which would, no doubt, have existed between David and Rosalind, who love each other. Fortunately, for them, because of their mutant gift, the ability to make thought shapes, they are able to be in contact at any time they choose.

Strong and responsible

Rosalind grows into a beautiful young woman, strong and responsible. David describes her as tall and slim with silky bronze-gold hair. Some persons would, I believe, have found her cold. You see, those who were thought of as 'not being in the image of God' had to be very careful, constantly on the alert so that their secret would remain hidden. They would not have wanted to get too close to non-mutants for fear of jeopardising their safety. You do remember, don't you, how worried the group of telepaths is when one of their numbers, Anne, decide to marry Alan? They know that intimacy with someone who does not have their capacity could lead to the revelation of their status.

We are told that Rosalind had deliberately equipped herself to face the hostile world into which she was born and had cultivated an aloof aura. Think of it: as an attractive young woman, she would have aroused the interest of several men. Since her parents may have chosen her partner, she may have had difficulty saying 'no' to a Norm. So she pre-empted the situation by being unapproachable.

Actions speak louder

We gain knowledge of Rosalind, not only through what David says about her but, more important, through what she does. I say this because David's love for her could have caused him to exaggerate her good qualities, but her actions are reliable witnesses. She proves herself to be practical, smart, resourceful and capable. She works out a scheme to keep people at a distance by being stand-offish; she packs carefully the necessities for her escape to the Fringes; and she steals her father's great horses. These animals prove to be of great benefit to them for, despite carrying the three of them (one of the horses) and their belongings, the horses can travel rapidly and over extremely rugged terrain. She is the one who also chooses a route designed to hide their trail, thus slowing down whatever pursuit there was to be.

Her bravery cannot be questioned. When the deviational creature killed Petra's pony and she comes to find it confronting David, she does not run away or climb a tree. Instead, as Michael, she shoots it. Of course, her courage is underscored when she kills the man who is tracking them. Notice that she does not wake David for him to defend them. She does not like the fact that she had to take a life, but she does what she sees as her duty. Immediately after, her sensitivity, decency and respect for life are brought out when she becomes distraught at what she has done. She is in anguish and even her thought become "muddled and distorted".

... Oh, I didn't want to do it, David, but what else could I do ... ?

Her eyes were full of tears. I put my arms round her, and let her cry on my shoulder.

Accepting their nature

I cannot leave this discussion without pointing out the difference between Mrs Strorm and Rosalind's mother, regarding the treatment of David and Rosalind, respectively. The idea of Mrs Morton helping her daughter to pack to get out of Waknuk to safety shocked David. That her mother could have suspected her 'mutant' nature and accept it was amazing. We know that his mother would not have done the same. This tells us that there were probably others like her and Uncle Axel there who do not agree with their society, but kept quiet.

Walk 'good' and God bless!

St George's College's Shammar Shelton receives his award for being the ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel 2008 Manning Cup Most Valuable Player from Joan Forrest-Henry, director of marketing services, Scotiabank. - Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer

Beryl Clarke teaches at Glenmuir High School.