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Character Development of David in The Chrysalids
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Essay on the Character Development of David in The Chrysalids
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The Chrysalids Journal 4The novel The Chrysalids takes place over essentially a lifetime as it spans across childhood and
young adulthood. This was done to show more in-depth development of characters and the
development of their understanding. After Joseph beat Sophie’s name out of David, David says
“‘I couldn’t help it, Sophie,’ I sobbed, ‘I couldn’t help it.’ (52) Later, when on the run and talking
to Michael about how he may need to kill Rosalind and Petra he says “‘Yes,’ I told him and the
others. ‘Yes – I understand.’ (143) This shows development of David’s character. At the
beginning of the novel, he is not able to stand the pain, although he tries, and eventually caves in.
Later however he feels he would be able to deal with the emotional pain of killing them as well
as the physical pain that would come with being captured. This shows the development of his
strength as a person and his willpower. These examples also show a constant staple of David, his
protective instincts. Even though he eventually gives up Sophie’s name he endures his father’s
aggression for a while and when in danger he agrees to do whatever it takes to protect Rosalind
and Petra from suffering. When David tells Uncle Axel about his mutation Uncle Axel gets him
to promise to keep it a secret “It made me aware, when I gave my promise, that I was vowing
something more important than I could understand.” (31) This is an example of when the author
took advantage of the timespan he chose in order to show the development of the character’s
understanding. At that time David did not know that his deviation was a bad thing as he had only
been told about physical deviations however later in the novel one sees David’s growing
understanding of the danger he is in. This is important because it also shows how as he grows
David loses his childlike innocence and becomes less and less naive about the world he lives in.
These are some of the reasons that the author may have had for choosing to make this novel take
place over a lifetime.
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