The Chrysalids- Role of Women
Examine the role of women in the Waknuk society. Make sure to include the position they hold in the household, how they are treated/ regarded by men, the position they hold in the larger society, and their acceptance of the role that has been laid out for them.
In the novel 'The Chrysalids' written by John Whyndam, males are the dominant gender. Even though women play a key role in the Waknuk society, they are not treated as equals compared to men. The Chrysalids outlines the development of the Waknuk society and the people within it who are very reluctant to change. In every district, women have an extremely important role in the household and are the life givers and care givers to children. Women also have many responsibilities within their communities. However in Waknuk, women are subjected to very strict rules and laws. Men are entitled to disown their wives after conceiving three deviant infants and have automatic control over them. These principles prevent and limit these women from opportunities, privileges and freedom. The four women who are to be considered are Emily Strom, Harriet, Mrs. Wender and Rosalind's mother. These women are all mistreated either by the Waknuk laws or men.
As all women, Emily Strom is expected to fill a certain criteria of how a typical women in Waknuk should be. Even more so due to the fact that she is married to the towns leader, Joseph Strom. Being the mother of three children, Emily Strom automatically abides by the rules and regulations of the Waknuk district. Two of Emily's children have the power of telepathy, meaning if discovered, they will be classified as blasphemies. Women are expected to be a loyal, devoted and passionate wife and to bear non-deviant children. Emily demonstrates this definition completely. She is forced to accept her position due to the fact she has always been manipulated by her husband. Joseph Strom aspired to prolong Waknuk's conventional customs of pleasing God and destroying blasphemies.
In the novel 'The Chrysalids' written by John Whyndam, males are the dominant gender. Even though women play a key role in the Waknuk society, they are not treated as equals compared to men. The Chrysalids outlines the development of the Waknuk society and the people within it who are very reluctant to change. In every district, women have an extremely important role in the household and are the life givers and care givers to children. Women also have many responsibilities within their communities. However in Waknuk, women are subjected to very strict rules and laws. Men are entitled to disown their wives after conceiving three deviant infants and have automatic control over them. These principles prevent and limit these women from opportunities, privileges and freedom. The four women who are to be considered are Emily Strom, Harriet, Mrs. Wender and Rosalind's mother. These women are all mistreated either by the Waknuk laws or men.
As all women, Emily Strom is expected to fill a certain criteria of how a typical women in Waknuk should be. Even more so due to the fact that she is married to the towns leader, Joseph Strom. Being the mother of three children, Emily Strom automatically abides by the rules and regulations of the Waknuk district. Two of Emily's children have the power of telepathy, meaning if discovered, they will be classified as blasphemies. Women are expected to be a loyal, devoted and passionate wife and to bear non-deviant children. Emily demonstrates this definition completely. She is forced to accept her position due to the fact she has always been manipulated by her husband. Joseph Strom aspired to prolong Waknuk's conventional customs of pleasing God and destroying blasphemies.