Name ________________________ class: __________

The Chrysalidsby John Wyndham

Before Reading Prediction

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Prediction:

Use the three book covers to make a prediction about this book.

What do you think it will be about? What does the picture on the cover tell you about the setting of the story? What genre do you think the book will be because of the covers? Be as specific as possible.

John WyndhamJuly 10, 1903 – March 11, 1969

John Wyndham Parkes Lucas Beynon Harris was an English science fiction writer who usually used the pen name John Wyndham, although he also used other combinations of his names, such as John Beynon and Lucas Parkes. Many of his works were set in post-apocalyptic landscapes.

Early Life of John Wyndham

Wyndham was born in the village of Dorridge near Knowle in West Midlands, England, the son of George Beynon Harris, a barrister, and Gertrude Parkes, the daughter of a Birmingham ironmaster.

His early childhood was spent in Edgbaston in Birmingham, but when he was 8 years old his parents separated and he and his brother, the writer Vivian Beynon Harris, spent the rest of their childhood at a number of English preparatory and boarding schools, during the First World War. His longest and final stay was at Bedales School near Petersfield in Hampshire (1918–21), which he left at the age of 18, and where he blossomed and was happy.

After leaving school, Wyndham tried several careers including farming, law, commercial art and advertising, but mostly relied on an allowance from his family. He eventually turned to writing for money in 1925, and by 1931 was selling short stories and serial fiction to American science fiction magazines, most under the pen names of "John Beynon" or "John Beynon Harris", although he also wrote some detective stories.

The Second World WarDuring the Second World War Wyndham first served as a censor in the Ministry of Information, (a United Kingdom government departed created briefly at the end of WWI which was the central government department responsible for publicity and propaganda), then joined the British Army, serving as a Corporal cipher operator in the Royal Corps of Signals. He participated in the Normandy landings, although was not involved in the first days of the operation

Post war

After the war, Wyndham returned to writing, inspired by the success of his brother who had four novels published. He altered his writing style and, by 1951, using the John Wyndham pen name for the first time, wrote the novel The Day of the Triffids. His pre-war writing career was not mentioned in the book's publicity, and people were allowed to assume that it was a first novel from a previously unknown writer.

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The book proved to be an enormous success and established Wyndham as an important exponent of science fiction. During his lifetime he wrote and published six more novels under the name John Wyndham. In 1963 he married Grace Wilson, whom he had known for more than 20 years; the couple remained married until he died. He moved out of the Penn Club, London, and lived near Petersfield, Hampshire, just outside the grounds of Bedales School.

He died aged 65 at his home in Petersfield, survived by his wife and brother. Subsequently, some of his unsold work was published and his earlier work re-published. His archive was acquired by Liverpool University.

Background Research andAnticipatory Questions

Post-Apocalyptic

Nuclear Holocaust

Telepathy

Mutant

Blasphemy

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How would you react if you saw a baby with six fingers or six toes?

How does your society (ie. High school, the community) treat people who are “different”?

What does it mean in your society to be “different”?

What do you think is more important to your peers – uniqueness, or conformity?

Do you think it is more difficult to be mediocre or to be exceptional in your

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society?

Where in the world is the Waknuk?

Story Elements I can connect what I read to personal experiences, previous reading and viewing

experiences, and my knowledge of the world.

I can compare my life with themes and events from literature.

I can recognize how imagery and figurative language create a dominant impression, mood and tone within a text.

I can ask questions of what I read to develop and extend my understanding.

I can reflect on new understanding from a text.

I can identify what themes are developed within a text.

I can identify techniques such as symbolism within a text and how they enhance meaning.

I can discuss character development within a story.

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These two maps represent current Canadian land masses and cities. The map on the left has the area of Waknuk outlined.

Theme TrackingThemes of the novelWhen you were young, your parents may have read you stories that ended with “the moral of the story is…”That moral was a message that you could glean from the overall story. For instance, from The Three Little Pigs we learned about the importance of building a strong house, and you could call that the theme of the book. But we could also say the theme was about making smart choices. A theme isn’t stated outright; it often appears as a lesson or message that the reader understands by reading between the lines.

A book of fiction can have many themes. Why? Because different people can find different meanings in books. You may find a lesson that others don’t see. The following are themes and motifs that appear in the novel The Chrysalids.

Choose three (3) of the following themes that appeal to you, and explain how each is illustrated throughout the novel.

Themes:

DifferencesExclusionReligious superiority

FamilyLossThreat

NetworkingSurvivalChoicesFlight

TalentWarRescue

Theme Word(s):

Evidence:(Quotes, actions, events, etc) – include page #’s

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ConnectionsChapter

:Connection: Connection

Type:

1text-to-selftext-to-text

text-to-world

2 text-to-self8

text-to-texttext-to-world

3text-to-selftext-to-text

text-to-world

4text-to-selftext-to-text

text-to-world

5text-to-selftext-to-text

text-to-world

6text-to-selftext-to-text

text-to-world

7text-to-selftext-to-text

text-to-world

8text-to-selftext-to-text

text-to-world

9text-to-selftext-to-text

text-to-world

10text-to-selftext-to-text

text-to-world

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Chapter:

Connection: Connection Type:

11text-to-selftext-to-text

text-to-world

12text-to-selftext-to-text

text-to-world

13text-to-selftext-to-text

text-to-world

14text-to-selftext-to-text

text-to-world

15text-to-selftext-to-text

text-to-world

16text-to-selftext-to-text

text-to-world

17text-to-selftext-to-text

text-to-world

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Chapter Response I can comprehend unknown vocabulary by using the context.

I can identify the main ideas and key information in the book.

I can use my own words to summarize and record information in a variety of forms.

I can make predictions based on my previous readings and background knowledge.

I can extend my understanding of a text by creating and/or answering higher level thinking questions related directly to the text.

Vocabulary Chapters 1 – 4 Vocabular

y Word Sentence (underline your vocab word)

Context Synonym

(what YOU think a synonym is)

Thesaurus Synonym

(synonym according to a thesaurus)

abate(verb)

admonition

(noun)

deviation(noun)

dissent(verb)

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impure(adj.)

rankle(verb)

tribulation

(noun)

Chapter 1 Pause and Reflect

Events &

Quotes

Questions &

Answers

1. David’s dream city contains three images with which he is not familiar. What are they?

2. Who is David’s eldest sister?

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3. From where does his sister suggest David’s dreams originate?

4. Quote the sentence which indicates how David feels about the world he sees in his dreams.

5. What is slightly unusual about David?

6. What do David and his cousin Rosalind have in common? Quote the words from the book.

7. What is “the bank, coming round in a wide curve, and then running straight as an arrow towards the distant hills” (6)?

8. What happens to Sophie?

9. What important information is revealed about Sophie’s foot?

10. What is the image of God as decreed by Waknuk society? Quote directly.

11. David gives an indication of special abilities. What are these abilities?

12. What secret must David keep?

13. What are Sophie’s toes of such concern?

Chapter 2 13

Pause and Reflect

Events &

Quotes

Questions &

Answers

1. How old is David’s house? Who has built this house?

2. Describe the materials from which the house is built.

3. What symbolic significance do these materials have?

4. Explain the words “My grandfather… appeared to have been a man of somewhat tediously unrelieved virtue. It was only later that I pieced together a portrait that was more credible, if less creditable” (15-16).

5. Why did Elias move from the East? Give two reasons.

6. How did Elias’ wife react to her marriage? Provide two reactions. 14

7. What is the “huge scar” made by the old people?

8. What are three of Joseph’s occupations?

9. What are three of the axioms hanging in Jacob’s home?

10. What is an Offense?

11. How is the problem of an Offence solved?

12. What are human deviations called?

13. How does Joseph Strorm react to deviations?

14. What are the Fringes?

15. What are the Badlands?

16. Give a description of Uncle Axel. Give three details.

17. Where are the members of David’s mother’s family? List their locations.

Chapter 3 Pause and Reflect

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Events &

Quotes

Questions &

Answers

1. Describe David’s schooling.

2. Why si the steam engine important?

3. Who are the Old People?

4. Why does John Wender regard David with susppicion?

5. What does David’s dream about Sophie make him realize?

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Chapter 4 Pause and Reflect

Events &

Quotes

Questions &

Answers

1. What information does Uncle Axel discover about David?

2. David becomes aware of something during his conversation with Uncle Axel. What is it?

3. Choose a suitable quotation to describe Joseph Strorm’s reaction to the Spider Man, one fo the captured Fringe leaders.

4. Why does Angus want the Great Horses?

5. Why does Joseph Strorm object to the Great Horses?

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6. Describe the size of the horses.

7. Where is Waknuk located?

8. List the title and give the author’s name of the book that has survived Tribulation.

9. What other book has survbived from the time of the Old People?

10. How are Ethics defined?

11. Who is to judge what is right or wrong in Waknuk society?

Vocabulary Chapters 5 – 9 Vocabulary

Word Sentence (underline your vocab word)

Context Synonym

(what YOU think a synonym is)

Thesaurus Synonym

(synonym according to a thesaurus)

acrid (adj.)

chafe (verb)

compensation

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(noun)

desolation(noun)

entanglement

(noun)

grace(noun)

mizzen(noun)

obscure(adj.)

peaks(noun)

runnel(noun)

Chapter 5 Pause and Reflect

Events &

Quotes

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Questions &

Answers

1. Who sees the different footprint on the rock?

2. Why does Sophie hit Alan?

3. What do the Wenders decide to do?

4. How does Mrs. Wender feel about David?

5. What does Mrs. Wender do that is unfamiliar to David? What is learned from his reaction?

6. What does Mr. Wender ask David to do?

7. How does the Inspector attempt to help David?

8. How does Joseph persuade David to tell where Sophie is?

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PredictionUsing what you know about the characters and events make a prediction about what you think is going to happen next in the novel. Make sure your prediction is detailed and includes WHY you are making your prediction by referencing past events or key

details from the story.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Chapter 6 Pause and Reflect

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Events &

Quotes

Questions &

Answers

1. What does David try to convince the other telepaths?

2. What does the Inspector bring with him? Why?

3. How are the Wenders found?

4. What are Uncle Axel’s views about running away?

5. Why does Uncle Axel believe people become angry with new ideas?

6. What do sailors say about sailing towards the East?

7. Describe the strange things that sailors have seen.

8. Describe the area where nothing grows.

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9. What may have caused the damage to the land that Wyndham has created?

10. What is thematically significant about the lands beyond the Black Coast?

11. What barrier stops ships from travelling further south?

12. How does Uncle Axel react to David’s question regarding the true image? Quote the line if you can find it.

13. What does Uncle Axel learn from David?

Chapter 7 Pause and Reflect

Events &

Quotes

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Questions &

Answers

1. Why is no mention made of Petra’s birth?

2. How is the suspense aggravated?

3. What is the punishment for having three children who do not pass the inspection?

4. Why does Aunt Harriet visit David’s mother at this time?

5. How does David’s mother respond to Harriet’s request?

6. What does Harriet do as a result?

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Chapter 8 Pause and Reflect

Events &

Quotes

Questions &

Answers

1. About what does David begin to worry as he converses with Uncle Axel?

2. What is Uncle Axel’s advice to David?

3. Whyndham is presenting his own views through the lecture that he gives to David. What does Wyndham tell David and the reader?

4. What does Uncle Axel say makes a man?

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5. Who are the other members of David’s special group?

6. What are the advantages and disadvantages of education according to David?

Chapter 9 Pause and Reflect

Events &

Quotes

Questions &

Answers

1. What is the first hint that Petra is not ordinary?

2. How are Petra’s communications different from anyone else’s?

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3. About what does David dream this time?

4. What does Old Jacob advise doing with any deviation?

5. Why does Old Jacob believe that deviations are increasing in number?

Vocabulary Chapters 10 – 13 Vocabular

y Word Sentence (underline your vocab word)

Context Synonym

(what YOU think a synonym is)

Thesaurus Synonym

(synonym according to a thesaurus)

amorphous

contracting

(verb)

diminish(verb)

fluctuate(verb)

gist(noun)

namby-pamby(adj.)

pannier27

(noun)

radiated(verb)

solanceae

(noun)

wattle(noun)

Chapter 10 Pause and Reflect

Events &

Quotes

Questions &

Answers

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1. Give two reasons why Anne’s marriage is frightening for the group.

2. How do the members of the group feel about marriage to a norm?

3. Why is Uncle Axel worried about Anne being in love with a norm?

4. How does Uncle Axel suggest dealing with Anne?

5. Why can David and Rosalind not see each other openly?

6. What happens to Alan? What happens to Anne?

7. What fortunate accident prevents the group from being exposed?

Chapter 11 Pause and Reflect

Events &

Quotes

Questio29

ns & Answer

s

1. What two forbidden things does Petra do?

2. Why is the strength of Petra’s call dangerous for the group?

3. What causes Petra to call for help?

4. How does David greet the stranger?

5. What makes the man suspicious of the group?

6. What does the group decide that they cannot do?

7. How does David determine that Petra can receive thought-shapes?

8. What new information does Petra give the group?

9. Who is Joe Darley? Why is he asking questions?

10. What did Anne do before she died that endangered the group?

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11. What did Uncle Axel do as a result? Outline the situation.

12. What other information is provided about banishment to the Fringes?

13. What do David and the group decide to do to Petra if necessary?

Bio PoemUse the template below to write a Bio Poem from the perspective of David Strorm or Uncle Axel. If you want to change the format to your own create or unique way, go right ahead. Repeat your first line every time you see the beginning “I am”

I am…

I wonder…

I hear…

I see…

I want…

I am…

I pretend…

I believe…

I touch…

I feel…

I worry…

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I cry.

I am…

I understand…

I say…

I dream…

I am….

Chapter 12 Pause and Reflect

Events &

Quotes

Questions &

Answers

1. What causes the group’s flight?

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2. Who is best planned for the escape?

3. What has Rosalind brought with her? How is this symbolically appropriate?

4. Who assists Rosalind?

5. How does David react to this news?

6. With whom are Rosalind, David, and Petra communicating for information?

7. What is known about the guns used in Waknuk?

8. What does Rosalind do that she finds to be traumatic?

9. What is happening to Sally and Katherine?

10. What are the authorities most upset about regarding the group?

11. Petra mentions what for the second time?

12. From where are the thought pictures coming?

13. Why does David know about this land?

Chapter 13 Pause and Reflect

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Events &

Quotes

Questions &

Answers

1. What area have the three travellers reached?

2. Who or what is most important right now? Why is this the case?

3. What has happened to Sally and Katherine?

4. Quote the lines spoken by David to Petra that show how people react to others who are different.

5. What is different about Sealand?

6. What happens to David at the end of this chapter?

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Vocabulary Chapters 14 – 17 Vocabular

y Word Sentence (underline your vocab word)

Context Synonym

(what YOU think a synonym is)

Thesaurus Synonym

(synonym according to a thesaurus)

germinate

(noun)microbes

(noun)

perpetual(adj.)

prospect(verb)

sullenness

(adj.)

tractable(adj.)

whittling(verb)

wraith(noun)

Chapter 14 Pause and Reflect

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Events &

Quotes

Questions &

Answers

1. Explain the differences between the external Rosalind and the real Rosalind.

2. Who captures the group?

3. Where do the Fringe people think that the Devil dwells?

4. When the man from the Fringes talks to David, he gives his view of life and says that “life is change” (153). Summarize his view of life.

5. What does David find puzzling about people’s views concerning God’s will?

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6. Which society believes that it is correct?

7. Who is coming to the Fringes?

8. Why do the Sealanders think that their society is superior to that of Waknuk?

9. How does Michael think the Sealand lady sounds?

10. Who is the spider-man?

11. How does the spider-man feel towards Joseph?

12. How does the spider-man react to Rosalind?

13. What particular attribute does Rosalind possess which none of the other women have?

Chapter 15Pause and Reflect

Events &

Quotes

37

Questions &

Answers

1. What two reasons are given for the cross-stitched symbol hat is present on the front of women’s dresses?

2. Who is the woman without the cross on her dress?

3. What is the relationship between the spider-man and Sophie?

4. How had the Wender’s cottage seemed to David? Why?

5. What does David realize about Sophie’s cave?

6. Which of the group in Waknuk is still communicating?

7. Who is converging on the Fringe area where David, Petra, and Rosalind are?

8. What is significant about a man guarding the women in the Fringes?

9. How does Sophie assist the girls to escape?38

Chapter 16Pause and Reflect

Events &

Quotes

Questions &

Answers

1. What causes the conflict between Sophie and Rosalind?

2. Who comforts Sophie?

3. Where is Michael?

4. Where is Rachel?

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5. Who else in the Waknuk party is pursuing David and Petra?

6. Quote the line that shows David is wondering about the motives of his own father.

7. How long does the Sealand woman believe that Waknuk will survive?

8. What important thematic line is repeated?

9. Who is the spider-man looking for among the group from Waknuk? Why?

10. Who is killed in the battle?

11. What are the fish-shaped craft?

12. How do the Sealand people immobilize the fighters?

Chapter 17Pause and Reflect

Events &

Quotes

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Questions &

Answers

1. What is unusual about the Sealand lady?

2. What bad news does the Sealand lady provide?

3. How does the immobilizing agent kill?

4. The Sealand woman speaks about the Frings’ people being condemned to a life of “squalor and misery” (195) with “no future for them” (195). The reader then learns that the Sealanders consider themselves to be “lords of life” (195). How do the Sealand people consider themselves in relation to other societies?

5. What do Michael and Rachel decide to do?

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6. What is Sealand like?

7. What are the Sealand lady’s motives for taking away Petra? Based on what you now know about the Sealand way of life, are these motives good or bad? Explain.

8. Does this book have a hopeful ending, a hopeless ending, or both? Explain.

9. How does the title of the novel relate to the subject of the book?

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