Relating theme of Chrysalids to events in today's world

THEME OF SACRIFICE OF CHILDREN IN CHRYSALIDS TO EVENTS IN TODAY'S WORLD
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(15 April, 2012)
Theme of Sacrifice of Children in Chrysalids to events in today's world
Wyndham in his book addresses the plight of children especially in today’s religious world. In some countries such as Palestine, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Afghanistan, Uganda and the DRC, children have been used to fight wars they know nothing about. This exposes the children to unfair and unjust practices as they are only used and abused for personal gains. This paper discusses the theme of "Sacrifice of Children" based on a novel "The Chrysalids" by John Wyndham and three news articles. According to the BBC, there are over 300,000 children globally being exploited as soldiers and this figure increases daily as they are recruited each year. The children are recruited by rebels opposing governments and fight in the battle fronts such as the Kamajors and the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) in Sierra Leone. The children are initiated into such groups by making them believe that they will possess magical powers in case they fight their enemies. Such damning stories that they will be protected by the gods and magical powers if they fight are instilled in their tender age. This can be related to Wyndham's assertion that religion is utilized to brainwash the kids. David. He quotes "And any creature that shall seem to be human, but is not formed thus is not human. it is neither man nor woman. It is blasphemy against the true Image of God, and hateful in the sight of God" (Wyndham, 2008). Indeed, the children are at times even forced to change camps and fight for their opponents as long as they provide the equipment for battle. The children also have limitations in that once they are recruited by the groups their families fear their return because they will be attacked by other gang members.
Carroll (2012) comes face to face with the children at war in Uganda fighting for Joseph Kony, a rebel of the Ugandan government. She exposes the deplorable conditions the children live in. The children wear tattered cloths and live in adverse harsh conditions prompting them to wear boots due to the rainy weather. Wyndham quotes "Her trousers were worn through at the kn...