THE CHRYSALIDS INDEPENDENT PROJECT #2: SOUNDTRACT TO A SCENE

The Chrysalids: Independent Inquiry Project #2 Soundtrack to a Scene

The Chrysalids is a book that briefly described the life of abnormal people in the future, and how they didn't find acceptance in the Waknuk society. They need to pretend they are just normal people because once someone found out about their deviation they will either be killed or heavily punished. I remember in chapter 4 when Uncle Axel found out that David has the ability to telepath and talk to people far away through their minds, the first thing he told David is to keep that as secret. Uncle Axel is David’s closest and most understanding relative, he doesn't want David to get in to trouble. David understood how his ability is unnatural, and made up his mind to keep that a secret forever. After reading this, I can relate this scene in the novel to a song that also described how people keep secrets to themselves. It's a song sung by a band named Foo Fighters and the name of the song is called The Pretender. I personally really like the song because it has a catchy melody and its well sang by the singer. The lyric in the song matches to the main character’s feeling at that time. Its easy to understand that David need to pretend like he is just a normal person without knowing his super power. One line in the lyrics says: “What if I say I’m not like the others.” I think this is what David is thinking at that point of the story. It happens many times in life that you have things that you really want to express but you can’t because it cannot be told. If there is a film version of the story, this song would definitely be featured at that time of the movie.

The Chrysalids: Independent Project #1 David's Diary Entry

The Chrysalids: Independent Project- David’s Diary Entry (Chapter 1)

March 23^rd, 3031

  In the afternoon, I went to the high bank I used to play by myself, after having a recurring dream.  Again I dreamed of this amazing city bordered by the ocean. I’ve once told this story to my sister but she warned me not to take this seriously.  That city may not exist, and would not exist under the Tribulation. I must get rid of these miserable thoughts so I visited the high bank. I was sliding up and down, until I see a girl coming up to me and asked me whether what I’m doing is fun or not. I was astonished by what that girl’s question, and I thought no one would ever want to talk to a boring kid like me.  I told her it’s very amusing and asked if she would want to join my game. She agreed but what happened next has made my life more miserable than ever. 

   We were just sliding up and down the dune and having a lot of fun until she stuck her feet in a small crevice. I wasn’t worried at first because she could simply take off her shoes and pull her foot out between the two stones. She insisted not to. I was confused by her idea but I still tried to make an effort. After my convincement, she finally agreed to pull off her shoe, but she told me not to tell anyone what I’ll see. At that time, I was like wow that Sophie must have very ugly foot. To my surprise, I noticed that Sophie’s foot has an extra toe. Later I carried her back to her house, and met her mother in her house. Her name is Ms. Wenders, she talked to me in a very serious tone and told me to keep that as a secret because we all know the result when someone found out about Sophie’s deviation. I promised her mother that I will not tell anyone about what I saw today.

   On my way back home I felt like 10 tons of weight has dropped on my shoulder. Until now I still can’t get that image off of my head. Instead of hating Sophie of her deviation, I actually felt sorry for her and how much arguments she will need to take if someone found out. Now I start to realize keeping a secret is not as easy as I thought.