Chrysalids Unit
1
J. Bogart
Name: __________________________________________________________
Class: __________________________________________________________
THE TITLE ANALYSIS
chrys·a·lis (kr s -l s)
n. pl. chrys·a·lis·es or chry·sal·i·des (kr -s l -d z )
1. A pupa, especially of a moth or butterfly, enclosed in a firm case or cocoon.
2. A protected/ sheltered stage of development/growth.
Latin: chr sallis, from Greek khr sallis, khr sallid-, gold-colored pupa of a butterfly,
from khr sos, gold.
1. ◊ Some of the characters in the novel are trying to force this state of being on
humanity?
2. ◊ Who are they?
3. ◊ What are they doing to maintain this state?
Chrysalids Unit
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J. Bogart
The Waknuk World placed on a present-day map
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J. Bogart
Each of the following charts lists some traits possessed by a character in the book. Find
several specific pieces of evidence for each trait (from anywhere in the book as you read
the text) to prove the character does have that characteristic. Then decide which
characterization method (or methods) in each piece of evidence is used to reveal that
trait:
a. What the character says or thinks
b. What the character does
c. What others say or think about the character
d. How others act toward the character
Below you will find an example of a chart for David. Make a similar chart for each of the
following characters in the book:
Joseph Strorm - Emily Strorm - Aunt Harriet - Uncle Axel - Spider Man - Rosalind Morton
- Anne - Sophie Wender - The Sealand Lady - The Inspector
David
Trait
Evidence
How is trait
revealed
curious
questions the validity of
The Definition of Man.
persistent
sensitive
brave
2. Joseph Strorm
a. narrow-minded
b. authoritarian
c. hardworking
3. Emily Strorm
a. narrow-minded
b. compasionate
c. pathetic
5. Uncle Axel
a. open-minded
b. compasionate
c. honest
6. Spider Man
a. proud
b. narrow-minded
c. pathetic
8. Sophie Wender
a. proud
b. loving
c. pathetic
9. The Sealand Lady
a. proud
b. understanding
c. sensible
Chrysalids Unit
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J. Bogart
Characters:
The Crysalids has a large cast of characters and
they relate to David's life in a number of ways.
To distinguish all these characters and
understand their relationship to David, a simple
visual diagram can be helpful.
Directions
In each circle below, write the names of at least
three characters that fit the label. Pick the
names from the character box; some names will
be used more than once. Then answer the
questions that follow.
CHARACTER BOX
David Strorm
Joseph Strorm
Emily Strorm
Petra Strorm
Aunt Harriet
Mary Strorm
Uncle Axel
Elias Strorm
Spider Man
Petra
Michael
Rosalind
Anne
Rachel
Katherine
Sally
Mark
Sophie Wender
Old Jacob
Alan Ervin
Sealand Lady
Jerome Skinner
The Inspector
Chrysalids Unit
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J. Bogart
Character Questions:
1. Give an example of a character who serves as both foe and friend to David. Give
examples to show the character's hostile and friendly actions.
2. Which characters seems to influence David the most? Why do you that might be
so?
3. Which character seems to influence David the least? Why do you think this might
be so?
4. Which character seems most admirable to you? Why?
5. Which character seems least admirable to you? Why?
6. Which two groups seem to overlap the most? Why?
7. Which group do you think influences David the most? Why?
8. Which group do you think influences David the least? Why?
9. Which group seems most admirable to you? Why?
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Chrysalids Unit
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J. Bogart
Plot:
The Chrysalids breaks down into a traditional five-part plot structure. These parts are as
follows:
exposition - an introduction to the main characters, settings, and situations of
the plot
rising action - the events and complications that lead to an important and
dramatic point in the plot
climax - the point of greatest interest and emotional involvement in the plot
falling action - the events that develop from the climax and lead to the
conclusion
resolution or denouement - the final outcome which ties up any loose ends left
in the story
This structure can be depicted as a lopsided pyramid, with two base lines.
Chrysalids Unit
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J. Bogart
Events in the Plot:
Below is a list of major events in The Chrysalids. Copy these events in the order in which
they occur.
After you finish putting the events in proper order, turn the diagram sideways and draw
the pyramid diagram (right over your answers in a different colour ink) to reflect where
the five elements of the plot occur. Then label the parts of the pyramid.
Note: Your pyramid may look lopsided (one side longer than the other)
Major Events:
Petra, through her awesome telepathic powers, gets in touch with a distant
civilization in New Zealand (Sealand).
David meets Sophie Wender and discovers that she is a physical deviant with six
toes on each foot.
David sees his aunt driven to suicide because she has given birth to a deviant
baby.
David, Rosalind, and Petra flee to the Fringes, where they are pursued by the
people of Waknuk, including David's own father.
The birth of David's little sister, Petra, causes innumerable problems.
Under torture Katherine and then Sally admit that David, Rosalind, and Petra
also have the ability of mind reading.
In the Fringes, David, Rosalind, and Petra are captured by the deviate
inhabitants.
David, Petra, and Rosalind escape per helicopter to New Zealand.
David is concerned for his own personal safety when he realizes that he and his
group of E.S.P. friends are also deviants
As a child, David has learned the strict morality of his society: "Watch Thou for
the Mutant," "The Norm is the Will of God," and "The Devil is the Father of
Deviation."
Chrysalids Unit
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J. Bogart
Comparison and Contrast Essay
JOSEPH STRORM VS. UNCLE AXEL
Which of these character traits apply to Joseph Strorm? To Uncle Axel? To both men?
To neither men? Justify your choice with examples from the novel.
fearful
humane
forms opinions
open minded
ruled by emotions
wise
respectful
loving
mature
irreligious
hesitant
blind
fearsome
immoral
makes prompt decisions
philosophical
analyzes
impulsive
questions things
prejudiced
evaluates
animalistic
accepts facts without question
victim
tunnel vision
lateral thinker
relies on set opinions
What is the difference in the way these two characters make use of their minds?
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Your essay will be marked according to the following:
a) thesis statement/topic sentences;
b) coherence: use of transition words;
c) content – the quality of arguments;
d) originality;
e) grammar/mechanics/spelling.
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J. Bogart
Theme Essay
One way of tying a story together is through the use of themes.
Themes are incidents, images or ideas that appear again and again in a novel. Like
links in a chain, they serve to unite a story.
Some themes in The Chrysalids are listed below.
Themes:
1. Death
2. Lack of personal freedom
3. Cruelty
4. Punishment
5. Humiliation
6. Weather conditions
7. Kindness and compassion
8. Jealousy
9. Superstition
Which theme(s) is the most important to the novel? Use textual examples.
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Your essay will be marked according to the following:
a) thesis statement/topic sentences;
b) coherence: use of transition words;
c) content – the quality of arguments;
d) originality;
e) grammar/mechanics/spelling.