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? 1
The Waknuk World placed on a present-day map 2
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 curious persistent sensitive brave Evidence questions the validity of The Definition of Man. How is trait revealed 2. Joseph Strorm a. narrow-minded b. authoritarian c. hardworking 5. Uncle Axel a. open-minded b. compasionate c. honest 8. Sophie Wender a. proud b. loving c. pathetic 3. Emily Strorm a. narrow-minded b. compasionate c. pathetic 6. Spider Man a. proud b. narrow-minded c. pathetic 9. The Sealand Lady a. proud b. understanding c. sensible 4. Aunt Harriet a. compasionate b. understading c. pathetic 7. Rosalind a. proud b. loving c. sensible 10. The Inspector a. understanding b. shrewd c. obedient 3
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. David Strorm Joseph Strorm Emily Strorm Petra Strorm Aunt Harriet Mary Strorm Uncle Axel Elias Strorm Spider Man Petra Michael CHARACTER BOX Rosalind Anne Rachel Katherine Sally Mark Sophie Wender Old Jacob Alan Ervin Sealand Lady Jerome Skinner The Inspector 4
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? 5
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. 6
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." 7
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 forms opinions ruled by emotions respectful mature hesitant fearsome makes prompt decisions analyzes questions things evaluates humane open minded wise loving irreligious blind immoral philosophical impulsive prejudiced animalistic accepts facts without question victim tunnel vision relies on set opinions lateral thinker What is the difference in the way these two characters make use of their minds? 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. 8
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. 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. 9