The Chrysalids

In the beginning of chapter one of the book, The Chrysalids, David, the main character, describes a recurring dream about an unknown city. He describes the dream as a city clustered on the curve of a big blue bay. The city had unusual automobiles, with carts being pulled without horses and shiny fish shaped things in the sky. David's description of the dream is quite vague and the book does not further address its significance. The reader is unaware of its importance later on in the book.

David enjoys visiting the hills and sliding down the dunes. One time when he was sliding down a dune, he was joined by a girl named Sophie. Sophie slid down the dune and her foot got stuck between two rocks. David helps the girl and finds out something unusual about her foot. Sophie has an unusual number of toes. David's family is religious and they believe that God made humans to have five toes on each foot. Anything more or less than that is considered a mutation. David takes Sophie back to her parents home to be treated. Sophie’s mother asks David to keep the secret about her extra toes. If anyone else finds out about her secret, Sophie will be executed.

In chapter three, we find out more about David's family and his home. His house, in Waknuk, is one of the oldest and biggest in the village. There are many different villages in his community, such as the Fringes. The Fringes are home to all of the mutants and they have constant raids and wars with Waknuk. His fathers name is Joseph Storm is the leader of the village. He plans raids and supports the family. David lives in constant fear of the war and its repercussions on the family and himself.

One day, David and Sophie visit a pond together. The blacksmiths son, Allan, is wandering around when he spots them. Sophie runs away into the forest because she doesn't want Allan to find out about her secret. Allan follows her footprints but David picks a fight with him. The fight is soon stopped when Sophie returns with a big