The Chrysalids-John Wyndham

Quickwrite Response #5

 

Aunt Harriet’s third child is a deviation to the social norm. It is never revealed what is wrong with the baby, but it must have been a minute flaw. Her last hope was to beg her sister (David’s mother) to switch children, before the inspector came to “clear” the child. However, in a previous chapter David, explains that his mother’s views align with his fathers, thus being strict about inspecting deviations. Aunt Harriet is rejected when she asks David’s mother. She obviously felt she had no other choice and without wanting to lose her third child, committed suicide. If I was in the same situation I think I would have collected my belongings including my baby, and run away and try to find someplace where I would be accepted. The entire system is screwed over the hatred towards flaws caused by the “devil”, so I don’t blame her for at least trying to hide her child.

 

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