Chapter 2 introduces us to David Strorm’s family and the philosophy of Waknuk. David’s grandfather, Elias Strorm, founded Waknuk community over 50 years ago. Because of the ungodly ways of the East Coast, Elias had migrated further inland to find more virtuous surroundings. He was a man fierce for rectitude, and had the fear of the devil constantly in his heart.
Elias founded Waknuk society, but left for a brief period to find a wife. The woman that Elias brought back was shy and beautiful, 25 years his junior. She was neither in love with Elias, nor could make up with that with her housekeeping skills. Elias did not let any of her shortcomings pass and he broke her spirit. She died willingly after the birth of her second son.
The reader is then introduced to David’s father, Joseph Strorm. Joseph was the image of his father: morally incorruptible, God-fearing, and law-abiding. He was an icon in Waknuk society for purity and he upheld all his views. His principles were set in stone. Unlike his father, Joseph married a woman, Emily, whose views matched his own. Consequently, Waknuk became an orderly, law-abiding society.
In this chapter we are also introduced to the concepts of blasphemies, offenses and the area known as the Fringes. Offenses were anything, other than humans, that did not look right. (They did not look like their parents, or parent-plants.) Any offense was to be burned
A blasphemy was any human being that did not look right, like their parents. They were considered a mockery in the image of their maker. (Definition of Man) They were sent to the Fringes, an area near Waknuk where deviations(common name for any blasphemy or offense) ran amuck. People in the Fringes made raids on Waknuk occasionally to steal food and other articles of need. If there was any confusion as to whether something was deviational or not, the Inspector was called in to examine the thing in question.
We are also briefly introduced to the character of Uncle Axel, who had married one of Emily’s sisters, but was a widower now.
Chapter 3 - "The Purification – A Dream"
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