Sacred, Glorious, Sacrifice

“I was always embarrassed by the words sacred, glorious, and sacrifice and the expression in vain…There were many words that you could not stand to hear and finally only the names of places had dignity. Certain numbers were the same way and certain dates and these with the names of the places were all you could say and have them mean anything. Abstract words such as glory, honor, courage, or hallow were obscene beside the concrete names of villages, the numbers of roads, the names of rivers, the numbers of regiments and the dates.” Pg 169

Henry does not believe in a world filled with dreams and abstract ideas. He has been exposed to the harshness of war for so long that he only understands what has been real to him. Names, places, dates, and concrete information is all that he knows. In this setting food is scarce, men are dropping, and life is difficult. This quote reveals the internal conflict Henry is faced with. Henry is no longer a dreamer. He lives in the cold, hard present. He has no sense of hope and no aspirations. The way in which Henry describes war is honest: he refrains form using lofty, glorified terms to describe such a terrible thing.

The Final Countdown

"No more than three hours or so can have passed before I was weakened by the click of my latch." (page 122)

At this point in the novel, people have started to become very suspicious of David and the possibility that he might have a deviation. This quote is taken from the beginning of chapter twelve. After David wakes up, Petra informs him that people are coming to get them because of their deviation. David immediately gets up and tells Petra to start running. After David gets some food and supplies, he leaves for the badlands where the people with deviations are sent. He feels this will be the safest place for him and Petra as the gang who is after them won't pursue them that way. This doesn't turn out to be the case as David and Petra are chased far into the badlands. This part of the novel is very exciting as David and Petra must continue to run from the gang that is after them while staying away from the Fringe people.

Petra's Powers

"It was a funny thing about my ittle sister, Petra. She seemed so normal. We never suspected - not one of us." (page 83)

This quote is taken from the beginning of the ninth chapter. At this point in the novel, I have learned a lot as a reader. Because David's society is trying to rebuild in the true image of God, they cast-away any people with deviations to the norm. David has realized that he has a deviation, but it is not something that can be detected by looking at his appearance. David has the ability to speak to people telepathically and he is not the only one with this deviation. This quote is the preface to when he realizes that his little sister, Petra has the same deviation that he has. The odd thing about Petra's deviation is that the power in which she delivers her telepathic messages is unprecedented to David. David also realizes that he has to train Petra in order to develop her ability and teach her how to control it. David must help Petra develop her powers while making sure to keep his unknown from the members of his society.

First Impressions

"When I was quite small I would sometimes dream of a city - which was strange because it began before I even knew what a city was. But this city, clustered on the curve of a big blue bay, would come into my mind. I could see the streets, and the buildings that lined them, the waterfront, even boats in the harbour; yet waking, I had never seen the sea, or a boat..." (page 1)

This quote is taken from the first page of The Chrysalids by John Wyndham. The character who delivers this quote is David Strorm, the main protagonist throughout the novel. This quote is very interesting as it gives the reader a false sense of the time period in which the novel is set. After reading this quote, one would assume that this book is set in the past while in reality, it is set in the future. Ultimately, we find out that the Chrysalids is set in a post-apocalyptic era and the society that David lives in is trying to rebuild mankind in the true image of God. As we learn more about David's society, we realize that because of the nucleur apocolypse, basic technologies that we are used to living with every day are absent from David's life. This opening quote did a good job of getting my hooked and interested in what was to come in later chapters.

The Last Impression

“There was certainly at this moment, in Elizabeth’s mind, a more gentle sensation towards the original, than she had ever felt in the height of their acquaintance. The commendation bestowed on him by Mrs Reynolds was of no trifling nature. What praise is more valuable than the praise of an intelligent servant? As a brother, a landlord, a master, she considered how many people’s happiness were in his guardianship!” (pg. 233)

Throughout the book Elizabeth Bennet has stuck to her first “impression” of Mr. Darcy. Even after his proposal and declaration of love she still did not attempt to review his character. Elizabeth finally began to see Darcy for who he really was after he gave her a letter detailing all the faults she had accused him of; such as the separation of her sister and Bingley and the ill treatment of Mr. Wickham. She learns to accept him after this letter, but does not see him for many months. Later on in the book her aunt and uncle and Elizabeth visit Pemberley, which is the estate owned by Mr. Darcy himself. And it is here we see the final change in Elizabeth’s opinion of Darcy. His servant, Mrs Reynolds who has been helping the family for many generations has nothing but praise for Darcy. This allows Elizabeth to see that Darcy is caring and thoughtful, although his first impression may cast him as proud and bitter. This is an important passage in the novel because Elizabeth now has overcome her prejudice and first impression of Darcy.

First Impressions

“Mr. Darcy had at first scarcely allowed her to be pretty; he had looked at her without admiration at the ball; and when they next met, he looked at her only to criticize. But no sooner had he made it clear to himself and his friends that she hardly had a good feature in her face, than he began to find it was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes. To this discovery succeeded some others equally mortifying.” (pg. 20)

This quote shows the slow progression of Darcy’s feelings for Elizabeth, although Elizabeth is blissfully unaware of his attraction towards her. When the two characters first met at the Meryton assembly he had scarcely allowed her to be pretty, “’she is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me;” (pg. 9). As Darcy’s friend, Mr. Bingley becomes more acquainted with Jane, Elizabeth’s sister; Darcy and Elizabeth meet on many different occasions. He realizes through these interactions he is becoming attracted to her. Though is still able to find many faults in her character. This quote marks a turning point on how Mr. Darcy views Elizabeth. This quote embodies many of the books main themes, love and class and social standings, shown through pride. Darcy’s pride caused him to cast his first impression of Elizabeth’s character merely because of the way her family acted, and where they stood in society. And love as he overcomes his pride and learns who Elizabeth actually is.

First Impressions

“Mr. Darcy had at first scarcely allowed her to be pretty; he had looked at her without admiration at the ball; and when they next met, he looked at her only to criticize. But no sooner had he made it clear to himself and his friends that she hardly had a good feature in her face, than he began to find it was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes. To this discovery succeeded some others equally mortifying.” (pg. 20)

This quote shows the slow progression of Darcy’s feelings for Elizabeth, although Elizabeth is blissfully unaware of his attraction towards her. When the two characters first met at the Meryton assembly he had scarcely allowed her to be pretty, “’she is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me;” (pg. 9). As Darcy’s friend, Mr. Bingley becomes more acquainted with Jane, Elizabeth’s sister; Darcy and Elizabeth meet on many different occasions. He realizes through these interactions he is becoming attracted to her. Though is still able to find many faults in her character. This quote marks a turning point on how Mr. Darcy views Elizabeth. This quote embodies many of the books main themes, love and class and social standings, shown through pride. Darcy’s pride caused him to cast his first impression of Elizabeth’s character merely because of the way her family acted, and where they stood in society. And love as he overcomes his pride and learns who Elizabeth actually is.