Power and Authority: Uses and abuses

       In the Chrysalids, the two main authority people who we actually see using authority are Mr. Strorm, and the Spidery man. In the fringes, Spiderman treats people who are not deviations the same way as Joseph treats people with deviations. They are foils to each other. Another person with power is the inspector. He denies Joseph the rights to burn the horses. He seems to be less harsh, but his chips are with the government. He primarily controls people with the excuse that the government said so. In this case, the power comes from outside of Waknuk. Joseph feels as if he can't control it, which makes him insecure. He is a complete control freak. This is made all the worse, because the inspector uses his power to antagonize Joseph. There is even an instance where Joseph challenges the inspector, which humiliates him further. In one instance, the inspector really takes his time making the form stating that Petra is not a deviation. Joseph's power only comes from the stereotypical family dynamic. The strict interpretation of the bible and the repentances are the only thing giving him power over his family. People are almost afraid of him because he is so upfront about his extreme views. It is a circular relationship between making fear, and getting power. He also has much of his power because he owns most of Waknuk because his father, Elias, had founded the village. Joseph's reputation as a pure person and a volatile person. He has a serious reputation for hating the deviations. People in Waknuk is never questioned, either. In conclusion, almost all of the authority figures in the chrysalids are corrupt.