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The Chrysalids
Share this document  by John Wyndham
.
Total Study Test and key
version 1.1
by George Lamont

Chapter I
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1. What is the narrator’s dream? Describe it, how it was different than the author’s world,
and why it helps establish the setting of the book.

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He dreams of a modern city, complete with tall buildings, care, and aircraft. The author appears to
live in a pre-industrial, agriculture based society that lacks the technology of the modern times. It
sets the setting of the story in the future, yet in a state de-evolved from the present day.

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2. Who does the author meet, and what does he discover about this person?

He meets Sophie, a girl his own age, and finds that she has six toes on each foot.

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3. What promise does David make to his friend’s mother? Why is this promise important?
are the consequences for breaking the promise?

He promises that he will keep secret that she has 6 toes on each foot. This promise is imperative
 because society is very strict about normality, and terrible things will happen to Sophie if anyone
finds out.

4. What special ability do we learn that David has, and what are the circumstances under
which the reader learns this? Why does this fact allow David to especially appreciate his
promise?  

Is thisDavid
content inappropriate?
has telepathic Report
ability, the ability to thiswith
communicate Document
others by thought, not through normal
communications. He can communicate through “thought shapes”, and tries to do so with Sophie’s
mother but fails. Her mother has only a trace of this ability, and isn’t aware of it. This abnormal
ability David has places him in the same danger of Sophie of being rooted out and expelled or 
killed for being a “deviant”.

5. What is this society afraid of? What do they believe is behind their fear? What is the
religious basis of their fears, and the rules they have made to deal with them?

Society fears any deviation, fearing that the Devil creates human-like bodies in which to invade
humanity and corrupt them, such as the Adam and Eve story, where Satan entered Eden in the
form of a snake. The rationale is that Satan doesn’t have the perfect power of God, so he can’t
make a human without some imperfection, or deviation. The people have taken literally the
Genesis story, that describes how a person should look.

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6. What doubts does David have about what he has learned about his friend, and how the
laws of his society apply to this situation?

David understands the laws about deviance, but only from constant training. He cannot believe that
Sophie a the Devil’s creature, or that she is somehow “hateful in the sight of God”.

Chapter II
1. What is the name of David’s community? Who built it? What position does his family hold
because of this?

Waknuk was built by Elias Strorm, who claims he left the east for its “ungodly ways”. He started
the community; therefore, David’s father is the unofficial head of the community.

2. What are the two books that are left to form the society? What kind of society have they
created? How does the characterization of David’s grandfather demonstrate the author’s
point about this kind of living?

Only The Bible and a book called Nicholson’s Repentences survived, causing the surviving society
to be very fundamentally Christian, and very strict about Christian laws. Elias Strorm’s very strict
ways turned his beautiful wife into a withered, grey woman who was almost glad to die 1 year after 
David’s father was born. (It is important to note that a similar situation occurs in Dickens’ Dombey
and Son, where Mrs. Dombey almost gladly dies after the birth of Paul Jr., having a most strict and
single-minded husband.) The author is explaining that such a society stifles life.

3. Who were the Old People, and what were they like? What can you extrapolate (guess)
about what happened to the Old People, and how is this relevant to our society now?

The Old People were our modern day society, and they had our technology, myths of which amaze
David’s society, who believe that the Old People were almost god-like but somehow were lost.
(This is much like the Romantic Era notion of the “Golden Age”, where people were blissful and
nearly perfect, soon after the Fall of Man. These golden people just disappeared in Romantic
myth.) Clues in the story suggest that the Old People destroyed themselves in a nuclear holocaust,
which was a serious threat to humankind in the sixties, when this book was written.

4. What is the big sign that hangs facing the main door to David’s house? Explain why this is
an example of foreboding.

“Watch thou for the mutant”, which warns all people, above all else, of the “danger” of mutants.
This is foreboding because the reader already knows that both David and Sophie are technically
mutants. We know they will be caught somehow.

5. Explain why it is significant that this fear in society comes more from Nicholson’s
Repentences than from the Bible. Remember that Nicholson’s Repentences is not a real book,
but one written after the Old People disappeared.

It is important in Christianity to separate real Biblical text from the ideas and other books of later 
Christians. Many people interpret the Bible in different ways. The Bible itself does not strongly
 

warn against mutants. Rather, Repentences is the hysterical work of a person who interprets the
Biblical description of humans to be somehow very important in detecting and averting evil. The
author is telling us that of the many terrible things that people do, claiming it is “God’s Will”, very
little of it actually comes from the Bible.

6. What are some examples of Deviations?

Anything from crops with strange forms, to misshapen animals, unusual plants, or even slightly
deformed humans.

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7. What are the differences between the livable areas, the Fringes, and the Badlands?
Considering what the reader understands about the demise of the Old people, and the effects
of radiation, explain the existence of these three states.

The
Christians.
Upload your documents to download.
It is important
livable area
occur, but are Many
inisChristianity to separate
low on radiation,
people interpret
considered
reallittle
and has
the Bible
not normal.
Biblical
in different
The fringes
text from
deviation
ways.
are areas
the by
caused ideas
The deviation
where
and other
it. Still,
Bible itself
somebooks
is does
of later 
variations
quite not strongly
common,
warn
likelyagainst mutants.
due to higher Rather,
levels Repentences
of radiation. The is the hysterical
badlands, likelywork of anuclear
sites of personattacks,
who interprets the
have deadly
Biblical description
radiation of humans
levels. However, to be somehow
the people believe itvery important
has to in detecting
do with the influenceand averting evil. The
of Satan.
author is telling us that of the many terrible things that people do, claiming it is “God’s Will”, very
little
8. How of itare
actually comespeople
the fringes from the Bible. Why are the stories about fringes people eating
a threat?
Upload to Download
children a comment on religious mythology?
6. What are some examples of Deviations?
Fringes people have made small raids on the civilized areas for food due to less space and more
Anything
fringes from Parents
people. crops with
tell strange forms,
their small to misshapen
children animals,fringes
about repulsive unusual plants,
people whoor even slightly to
eat children,
deformed
keep themhumans.
in line. This is much like scaring kids with stories of witches and devils. This is an

OR
example of how religious mythology deceives its followers about the true nature of evil, which is
7. What
not foundare the differences
in devils between
and ghosts, the livable
but in people, evenareas, thepeople.
religious Fringes, and the Badlands?
Considering what the reader understands about the demise of the Old people, and the effects
of radiation, explain the existence of these three states.

Become
Chapter aIIIisScribd
The livable area member
low on radiation, to read
and has little deviation causedand download
by it. Still,
occur, but are considered not normal. The fringes are areas where deviation is quite common,
some variations full

how documents.
1. When
likely dueSophie
to highersays thatof
levels she doesn’t The
radiation. believe peoplelikely
badlands, will be able
sites ofto fly, even
nuclear though
attacks, stories
have deadly
say that the
radiation OldHowever,
levels. People could,
the people does thisitshow
believe has tothat Sophie
do with the isinfluence
not the mutant
of Satan.people would
think she is?
8. How are the fringes people a threat? Why are the stories about fringes people eating
Sophie
children shares
a comment
Start Your 30 Day FREE Trial
the arrogant belief ofmythology?
on religious humans that they have almost reached the limit of possible
knowledge, even though humans always surprise themselves with amazing new discoveries. Her 
limited
Fringes view about
people havethe
madefuture helps
small characterize
raids Sophieareas
on the civilized as not
fora food
mutant,
duenot so different
to less space andfrom the
more
rest of people,
fringes people.despite
Parentshertellphysical anomaly.
their small children about repulsive fringes people who eat children, to
keep them in line. This is much like scaring kids with stories of witches and devils. This is an
2. What casual
example of how remark
religiousdoes David make
mythology in his
deceives home thatabout
its followers alarmsthe his
truefamily?
nature ofWhat
evil,iswhich
their is
reaction,
not found and why and
in devils is it ghosts,
so extreme?
but in people, even religious people.

1. When Sophie says that she doesn’t believe people will be able to fly, even though stories
say that the Old People could, how does this show that Sophie is not the mutant people would
think she is?
Chapter III
  Sophie shares the arrogant belief of humans that they have almost reached the limit of possible
knowledge, even though humans always surprise themselves with amazing new discoveries. Her 
limited view about the future helps characterize Sophie as not a mutant, not so different from the
rest of people, despite her physical anomaly.

2. What casual remark does David make in his home that alarms his family? What is their
reaction,
As he triesand why is
to dress hisitwound
so extreme?
from a wood splinter, his casually remarks that if he had another 
hand, he would be able to do it himself. Of course, with the family very committed to their idea of 
 

religion and normalcy, they are offended. They believe that David has insulted God, and that he
has wished to be a mutant. They are so super-sensitive about mutations and religion that they are
totally unreasonable. The author is suggesting that religion can be too extreme when the intended
meaning is lost.

3. What is the terrible, but prophetic, dream that David has the night after his remark?
Explain the symbolism and meaning of the dream. Also, explain how this dream is
foreboding.

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He dreams that his father is going to slaughter Sophie like some mutant animal. Sophie begs for 
mercy and help, but receives none from the devout people who sing a hymn to God. The irony is
that in the Christian faith, God is merciful and loves all creatures, yet these people are the opposite.
David’s father then kills Sophie by cutting her throat. The symbolism is that Sophie is the innocent
lamb, like Jesus, who is sacrificed by a troop of people who have missed the point about the Bible.
As he tries
David’s
hand,
Upload your documents to download.
he The
religion.
to dress
father,
would
whohis
be able
dream
woundhefrom
believes a wood
is doing
to do it himself.
is foreboding
splinter,
perfect good,
Ofitcourse,
because
hisiscasually
warns with
actually remarks
the family
the reader
thatthe
evil, under if he
very committed
that Sophie
hadofanother 
guise strict
to their idea of 
is in real danger.
religion and normalcy, they are offended. They believe that David has insulted God, and that he
has wished to be a mutant. They are so super-sensitive about mutations and religion that they are
totally unreasonable. The author is suggesting that religion can be too extreme when the intended
Chapter
meaning is lost. IV
1. Who isisRosalind?
3. What the terrible, Upload to Download
Whatbut does Uncle dream
prophetic, Axel find out
that abouthas
David David and Rosalind?
the night What is his
after his remark?
reaction?
Explain the What must David
symbolism promise to
and meaning of Uncle Axel?Also, explain how this dream is
the dream.
foreboding.
Rosalind is David’s cousin who lives as a neighbor. Uncle Axel discovers David “talking” out
loud, but really
He dreams communicating
that his father is goingtelepathically
to slaughterto Rosalind.
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kills Sophie by cutting her throat. The symbolism is that Sophie is the innocent
lamb, like Jesus, who is sacrificed by a troop of people who have missed the point about the Bible.
Become a Scribd member to read and download full
2. During
David’s
prisoner
the invasion
father,
whodream
religion. The is brought
of thehenormal
who believes is doing
to David’s
is foreboding
area
house?
because
by the
perfect fringes
good,
Whatthe
it warns
people,
is actually
is David’s
what
evil,
father’s
reader that
is special
under
Sophie
about
the guise
reaction
the
of strict
todanger.
is in real the prisoner?

documents.
What can you speculate about the prisoner’s identity?

He appears normal while sitting on a horse, but has “monstrously” long arms and legs. He closely
resembles David’s father, and turns out to be David’s father’s brother, a deviant, who was sent to

1. Whoand
 person is Rosalind? Start Your 30 Day FREE Trial
the fringes at birth. David’s father appears almost ill at the sight of his own brother, a fringes
What
leader of the doespe
fringes Uncle
ople. Axel find out about David and Rosalind? What is his
reaction? What must David promise to Uncle Axel?
3. What argument takes place between Angus Morton and Joseph Strorm? What is the
Chapter
inspector’s IV cousin
Rosalind is David’s
position on thewho lives How
matter? as a neighbor. Uncle Axel
does the matter discovers
of the Dakers’David “talking”
cat relate out
to Strorm’s
loud, but really
character? What communicating
angry remarktelepathically to Rosalind.
does the inspector say toUncle
StrormAxel, unlike
that David’s
supports the father, is
author’s
very open-minded
opinion of Strorm? about mutancy, and is very concerned but has no intention of ever reporting the
two. He warns David that no one must ever know this about them, and makes David promise never 
to “talk” out loud again.

2. During the invasion of the normal area by the fringes people, what is special about the
prisoner who is brought to David’s house? What is David’s father’s reaction to the prisoner?
What can you speculate about the prisoner’s identity?

He appears normal while sitting on a horse, but has “monstrously” long arms and legs. He closely
resembles David’s father, and turns out to be David’s father’s brother, a deviant, who was sent to
 
the fringes at birth. David’s father appears almost ill at the sight of his own brother, a fringes
 person and leader of the fringes people.

3. What argument takes place between Angus Morton and Joseph Strorm? What is the
inspector’s position on the matter? How does the matter of the Dakers’ cat relate to Strorm’s
character? What angry remark does the inspector say to Strorm that supports the author’s
opinionMorton
Angus of Strorm?
gets a legitimate pair of great-horses, who are very large, but sanctioned by the
government. Of course, Strorm’s misguided devotion to his version of Christian faith motivates
 

him to demand that the horses be destroyed as Offences (deviants), even though the government
has sanctioned them. He accuses the inspector and the government of being corrupt. The inspector 
reminds Strorm about an incident where Strorm, acting as magistrate, destroyed a neighbor’s
tailless cat before the people could complete the appeal. The cat turned out to be legitimate, but not
 before Strorm killed it. It shows how misguided and ruthless Strorm and other fundamentalists can
 be about their faith. Finally, the inspector, who is reasonably understanding and liberal-minded,
accuses Strorm of being a bigot and a fool, which, really, he is. Strorm proceeds to accuse the
government and inspector of being the forces of evil.

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4. What does the reader learn about the location of the story?

It takes place on the island of Labrador, near Newfoundland, in Canada.

5. What is “Tribulation”? What Christian story does it resemble?

government.
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Angus Morton gets a legitimate pair of great-horses, who are very large, but sanctioned by the
The people inOf course,
this societyStrorm’s
believemisguided devotion
that the cause for thetoloss
his of
version of people,
the old Christian
thefaith motivates
badlands, and the
him to demand
mutancy, that the
are caused by horses
some actbe of
destroyed as Offences
punishment by God.(deviants),
It resembleseven
thethough
story ofthe
thegovernment
flood and
has sanctioned
 Noah’s Ark in tthem. He accuses the inspector and the government of being corrupt. The inspector 
he Bible.
reminds Strorm about an incident where Strorm, acting as magistrate, destroyed a neighbor’s
tailless cat before
6. Explain how the theEthics
peopleteacher
could complete
describesthe appeal.
the cause The cat turned out
of tribulation, to be
other legitimate,
cases of God’s but not
 before Strormand
punishment, killed
how Upload to Download
it. people
It showneed
s howtomact
isguid
in ed andto
order rutre-attain
hless Strorm and other
the Golden fundamentalists can
Age.
 be about their faith. Finally, the inspector, who is reasonably understanding and liberal-minded,
accuses Strorm
A) The cause ofof being a bigot
Tribulation and a fool,
is guessed to bewhich, really,
“a phase he is. Strorm
of irreligious proceedsintothe
arrogance” accuse
past; the
perhaps
government
the Old Peopleanddidn’t
inspector of being
worship God the
likeforces of evil.
they were supposed to. B) Other Christian examples of 
God’s punishment are the expulsion from Eden, the great Flood, pestilences, the destruction of the
4. What does the reader learn and
about
thethe location (ofofthe
theIsraelites
story? by the Egyptians). C) The Ethics
OR
cities of Sodom and Gomorrah Captivity
man explains that the religious and government leaders must carefully think about each new thing
It takes
they findplace onthe
about theOld
island of Labrador,
People, to decidenear
if it Newfoundland,
is a sin or a stepinback
Canada.
to Grace (God/paradise).

5. What is “Tribulation”? What Christian story does it resemble?

Become
Chapter aVScribd
The people in this
member to read and download full
society believe that the cause for the loss of the old people, the badlands, and the

Strorm explaindocuments.
mutancy, are caused by some act of punishment by God. It resembles the story of the flood and
1. How Ark
 Noah’s doesinJoseph
the Bible. the fact that the only field with deviations in it belongs to
Angus Morton? How do you explain it? What does this tell the reader about religions linking
events to causes?
6. Explain how the Ethics teacher describes the cause of tribulation, other cases of God’s
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punishment, and how people need to act in order to re-attain the Golden Age.
Joseph Strorm tells people that Morton is being punished for keeping the great-horses. However, it
is
A)likely a coincidence.
The cause It is an
of Tribulation exampleto
is guessed ofbe
how
“a religions explain certain
phase of irreligious causes in
arrogance” forthe
events,
past; good or 
perhaps
 bad, thatPeople
the Old may indidn’t
fact be random.
worship God like they were supposed to. B) Other Christian examples of 
God’s punishment are the expulsion from Eden, the great Flood, pestilences, the destruction of the
2. Who
cities of finds
Sodom Sophie and David
and Gomorrah playing
and in the stream?
the Captivity What does
(of the Israelites he notice,
by the and how?
Egyptians). C) TheWhy is
Ethics
this
man so serious?
explains that the religious and government leaders must carefully think about each new thing
they find about the Old People, to decide if it is a sin or a step back to Grace (God/paradise).

1. How does Joseph Strorm explain the fact that the only field with deviations in it belongs to
Angus Morton? How do you explain it? What does this tell the reader about religions linking
events to causes?
  Chapter V
Joseph Strorm tells people that Morton is being punished for keeping the great-horses. However, it
is likely a coincidence. It is an example of how religions explain certain causes for events, good or 
 bad, that may in fact be random.

2. Who finds Sophie and David playing in the stream? What does he notice, and how? Why is
this so
Alan serious?
Ervin finds them playing. Sophie starts to hide, but Alan notices a Sophie’s wet footprint of 6
toes on the rock, and knows she is a mutant. David doesn’t trust Alan, and Alan’s menacing
 

manner suggest that he will happily report Sophie. David attacks him so Sophie can escape, but
starts to lose the fight, until Sophie knocks him unconscious with a rock.

3. What does the Wender family decide to do, and why? What does David wants to do? What
does David do as his last act to help Sophie?

They decide to flee at once so that Sophie will not be caught. David wants to go with them, and
they want him to come because David’s father is so terrible, but they cannot take him. David
agrees to sleep at their house that night to buy Sophie’s family more time, even though he will be

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in trouble the next day.

4. Contrast the differences in which the inspector and David’s father react to David when he
returns. What is their common goal?

Alan Ervin
David’s
toes on the
and tries
Upload your documents to download.
finds
father
to rock,
them playing.
is absolutely
bully and knows
David into she
Sophie
furious andstarts
angrytoabout
is a mutant.
talking.
hide,Sophie,
David
He finally
but Alan
doesn’t
sends
notices a Sophie’s
a “blasphemy”.
Davidtrust Alan,
to his and
room
He iswet
to Alan’s
outfootprint
receivemenacing
a whipping
of 6
of control,

manner
from hissuggest that inspector,
father. The he will happily report tries
in contrast, Sophie. Davidand
to gently attacks him so Sophie
reasonably cantoescape,
get David but
admit who
starts toislose
Sophie andthe fight,
where sheuntil Sophie knocks him unconscious with a rock.
is going.

3.
5. What
What does the Wender
happens familyfather
when David’s decidetakes
to do, and
the why? What
inspector’s does
whip David
with wants
which to do?
to beat What
David?
does
Why David
is this do as his last
importan Upload to Download
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the to help Sophie? n of the inspector?
characterizatio

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agrees to sleep
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their house that night
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some Sophie’s
restraint, family more
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distaste he job.
for his willHe
be
in trouble
s hethe next day.the mutant, but questions if it is worth any cost.
OR
 believe mus t find

4. Contrast
6. Why doesthe differences
David in which
feel guilty the inspector
at the end and David’s
of the chapter? father react
Is he justified to David
in feeling when he
guilty?
returns. What is their common goal?

Become isa is Scribd member tohis read andand hisdownload tofull

David, through an extensive beating from his father, is forced to admit the information about
David’s father
Sophie. He not absolutely furious
truly responsible, and angry about
considering that Sophie, a “blasphemy”.
is still a boy He is out
father wasofwilling
control,
and tries
 beat him to bully
tortur David
ously to ginto talking.
et the Heion.
informat finally sendsfat
David’s David
her istoouhis
t ofroom to receive
control and hasamiss
whipping
ed the
from his
 point
Sophie
father.
of Chris The .inspector,
tianity
is and his
which shows whereownshe
He doesn’t
true
in see
documents.
contrast, tries to
the loving
is characteristics
going.
gently
side of theand reasonably
relig ion, only get
the David to admit
strict, ruthl who
ess sid
of love for power and shallow sense of the nature of evil.
e,

5. What happens when David’s father takes the inspector’s whip with which to beat David?
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Why is this important to the characterization of the inspector?
Chapter VI
When David’s father takes the inspector’s whip, the inspector refuses to allow David’s father to
1.
useWhat are the
it against twoDavid’s
David. recurring dreams
father that David
is a religious has?and
zealot, How are they
violent aboutboth foreshadowing?
getting his way. The
inspector, on the other demonstrates some restraint, compassion, and even distaste for his job. He
He dreams
 believe s he again of histhe
must find father
mutakilling
nt, butSophie andifof
questions it the silveracity
is worth in the distance. Both of these
ny cost.
things become true in a form.
6. Why does David feel guilty at the end of the chapter? Is he justified in feeling guilty?

David, through an extensive beating from his father, is forced to admit the information about
Sophie. He is not truly responsible, considering that his is still a boy and his father was willing to
 beat him torturously to get the information. David’s father is out of control and has missed the
 point of Christianity. He doesn’t see the loving side of the religion, only the strict, ruthless side,
which shows his own true characteristics of love for power and shallow sense of the nature of evil.

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1. What are the two recurring dreams that David has? How are they both foreshadowing?

He dreams again of his father killing Sophie and of the silver city in the distance. Both of these

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