waknuk

Deviants and Outcasts In Our Society

Dwarfism

Waknuk

A condition that one is born with which causes people to be abnormally small.

A place where anyone with a blaspheme is not considered human and is sent to the fringe.

In the Waknuk

Society

People in Waknuk think that people with a blasphemy are second class citizens.

They do not think that they are supposed to be in our society. This is why the government in Waknuk sends people with blasphemies to the fringes. Sophie is a second class citizen because she has a deformation and "she is not the image of god".

In Both the Waknuk Society and our Society those with deformities are Considered Outcasts

In Both Societies those with Blasphemies or Deformities Are Considered Second Class Citizens

In Both Societies Those That Are Different Are Misunderstood

People with blasphemies are considered deformed because they have some thing that is different like six toes, or one arm and are not considered “normal”. You see this in the book with Sophie and how she has six toes.

They are also considered outcasts because they are not wanted.

In Waknuk people make a lot of assumption about the blasphemies. People don’t think they are normal because they are mutant.

Dwarfism in our Society

In our society ignorant people judge others by their appearance and don't treat them the same.Those ignorant people don't believe that we should all have the same privileges as "normal"people.

Both People with Dwarfism and those with Blasphemies Are Considered Second Class Citizens

In Both Societies People with Dwarfism and those in Waknuk who have blasphemies are Considered Deformed And Outcasts

Both those with Dwarfism and those in Waknuk who have Deformities Are Misunderstood

Those identified with dwarfism in our society are considered deformed because their bodies are not proportionate and they don't look like normal people.

People with dwarfism are misunderstood because even though they are just like everyone else their physical appearance is different and those who don't know about dwarfism may be scared of the unknown and make assumptions about them.

There is an excessive amount of intolerance, prejudice and discrimination in today's world. In John Wyndham's novel The Chrysalids, the author explores these themes in many ways, the nature of Waknuk society parallels our own present society.

In the Chrysalids, the people of Waknuk are prejudice against anyone who does not live up to the beliefs of a "true image." Waknuk society does not allow people to be who they are, which shows intolerance. It is their belief that everyone has to be the same and look very similar and if not they are sent away to the "fringes."

In our society, people with Dwarfism are still marginalized by society and discriminated against based simply on not looking like the "normal" person in society. If there were people with dwarfism in the Waknuk society, they would be sent to the "fringes."

What is Dwarfism?

Who is affected by Dwarfism?

Why is Dwarfism caused?

How are the afflicted treated by the society around them?

How do they deal with such treatment?

Can you cite research / evidence that speaks to such treatment?

They go to therapy, join peer groups and get support from family.

People with dwarfism are often outcasts and treated not as equals. The term midget has now become considered offensive rather than accepted. The media and education has helped teach society about dwarfism.

In one example, in 2011 Starbucks was sued for discrimination against a employee that had dwarfism who had asked for a stool to preform her job and got fired that day because the owner thought that she was a threat to the customers and workers.

What would this hope involve or entail? Raising awareness?

Is there any hope for the victims afflicted by Dwarfism?

There is hope for people with dwarfism to live a normal life.

Social media, reality shows, documentaries all help to raise awareness and change societies understanding and treatment of people with dwarfism.

Dwarfism is a condition that you are born with which causes people to be abnormally small. People with Dwarfism have shorter than normal skeletal growth.

Many types of dwarfism are caused by an underlined genetic problem. It is a deformity from birth and gene mutations causes dwarfism to occur.

How do the afflicted deal with their handicap

Do they have any ways of dealing with the problem?

People with dwarfism are called names like midget and are often bullied and treated like outcasts. They deal with their handicap and oppression by accepting support from family and peer groups throughout society to try and help boost their self –esteem.

Lifestyle changes are often needed to cope with the effects of dwarfism. Specialized furniture often helps them to function normally.

Many support groups help people with dwarfism cope with their discrimination and challenges they face like oppression and victimization. The goal is to help give them self esteem and independence.

1 in 25,000 people are affected with dwarfism. The average adult height of a person who has dwarfism is approximately 2’8” to 4’8”. Dwarfism is not carried by the parents and can be spontaneous in some cases dwarfism is inherited.

Matt Benzaquen