Discrimination In The Chrysalids

984 Words4 Pages
According to the non-profitable organization dosomething.org, "Nearly fifty percent of countries increased their religious discrimination between 2009 and 2010, and only thirty-two percent saw decreases". Religious discrimination and abuse happen all around the world, in every-day situations. Religion can bring people together in different conditions; however, when misused and discriminated it can cause issues such as violence, as well as people hurting each other. John Wyndham focuses on religious discrimination many times in his book, The Chrysalids. Throughout the book, the citizens of Waknuk misinterpret religion and, therefore, manage society in unreligious ways. The citizens of Waknuk misuse the Bible as a way to treat deviations in…show more content…
Throughout Nicholson’s "Repentances", the book points out that anyone not in the image of God is abnormal and must be forsaken. Instead of helping out a loved one, they turn them down to pursue the book. An example is demonstrated when Aunt Harriet goes to her sister for help, however, is turned down. In the words of Emily Strorm, "you have the effrontery to bring your monster into my house and tell me it's nothing much" (70). Aunt Harriet goes to her sister, Emily Strorm, trusting her to help her only sister out. However, is declined, causing the suicide of her and her child. This is significant because Emily could have spared Harriet's life, but instead yelled at her just so she would be following the "rules". As displayed in the Bible "this is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers."(1 "John" 3:16-18). Clearly, the citizens of Waknuk do not acknowledge the passages from the Bible because in another example religion comes before family, again. David claims, "Purity...' I said "The will of the lord. Honour they father... Am I suppose to forgive him or try to kill him?" (182) In this quote, David is debating whether or not to kill his father for wanting to kill his own family. Since the citizens of Waknuk are extremely faithful to Nicholson’s "Repentances", they misuse religion and for this reason, they make many mistakes. The citizens of…show more content…
Everyone must fit in the "Definition of Man" (or Women), and on the occasion that someone does not then they will be sent to the Fringes where they will suffer. All religions have the same view of judgement, however, it seems as if the people of Waknuk do not have the same views. For instance, after Sophie Wender is caught, the inspector educates David regarding Deviations. The inspector states: Well, any part of the definition is as important as any other; and if a child doesn’t come within it, then it isn’t human, and that it means it doesn’t have a soul. It is not in the image of God, it is an imitation, and in the imitation there is always some mistake. Only God produces perfection, so although deviations may look like us in many ways, they cannot be really human. They are something quite different.
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