The Chrysalids- Uncle Axel
Life is hard. Often, people find it difficult to overcome obstacles in their life alone. Occasionally, some people are fortunate enough to have someone to help them throughout hard times. These mentors are instrumental in developing accomplished people. In the novel The Chrysalids, John Wyndham’s character, Uncle Axel plays a variety of roles throughout the story, as he is a teacher, comforter and protector for the protagonist, David Storm.
Uncle Axel portrays the role of teacher. As a widely travelled former sailor, Axel has learned life lessons from many different cultures, which he uses to counsel David. In the novel, David goes to Uncle Axel for advice about his decisions. After Sophie and her family flee to the Fringes, David tells his uncle that he plans to run away. Axel takes this opportunity to lecture David on the dangers of places outside Waknuk and advises him to consider his actions. He tells David, “If you run away from a thing, you don’t like what you find either. Now, running to a thing, that’s a different matter…” (Wyndham, pg.57). Axel teaches David to be mature about his decisions and that running away from his problems won’t solve anything. He patiently communicates life lessons to David, which he gathered from his traveling experiences, and compassionately mentors the younger characters.
Additionally, Uncle Axel uses his knowledge from various situations to play the role of comforter. After noticing David’s consistently depressed state, Axel pulls David aside and offers him his full attention. David confides that he is concerned about how serious it is to be even a little different. Uncle Axel reassures him that, “No one else is ever going to know about it… No one but me - and I’m safe” (Wyndham, pg.77). Uncle Axel is David’s adult best friend; this allows him to comfort David when needed and even protect him when necessary.
Furthermore, Uncle Axel demonstrates the role of protector. He seems to always be there for David when he’s in danger.
Uncle Axel portrays the role of teacher. As a widely travelled former sailor, Axel has learned life lessons from many different cultures, which he uses to counsel David. In the novel, David goes to Uncle Axel for advice about his decisions. After Sophie and her family flee to the Fringes, David tells his uncle that he plans to run away. Axel takes this opportunity to lecture David on the dangers of places outside Waknuk and advises him to consider his actions. He tells David, “If you run away from a thing, you don’t like what you find either. Now, running to a thing, that’s a different matter…” (Wyndham, pg.57). Axel teaches David to be mature about his decisions and that running away from his problems won’t solve anything. He patiently communicates life lessons to David, which he gathered from his traveling experiences, and compassionately mentors the younger characters.
Additionally, Uncle Axel uses his knowledge from various situations to play the role of comforter. After noticing David’s consistently depressed state, Axel pulls David aside and offers him his full attention. David confides that he is concerned about how serious it is to be even a little different. Uncle Axel reassures him that, “No one else is ever going to know about it… No one but me - and I’m safe” (Wyndham, pg.77). Uncle Axel is David’s adult best friend; this allows him to comfort David when needed and even protect him when necessary.
Furthermore, Uncle Axel demonstrates the role of protector. He seems to always be there for David when he’s in danger.