Character Sketch- Sophie

Sophie Wender is a character in the novel, The Chrysalids. She is introduced as a young girl, having the mutation of six toes growing on her feet. David Storm is the first to find out about her deviation when she hurts her foot while playing with him. At this time, Sophie shows tolerance and bravery when she was in a lot of pain.  "She was very brave. Nothing more than the puppy noises."- David Storm (pg. 9) Sophie also goes to great lengths from keeping David from knowing about her deviation. This shows shes fully knowledgeable at a young age of what the consequences are if anyone was to know about her deviation. For example, Sophie's foot gets caught and will only come out it David cuts the laces on her shoes. While in great pain, Sophie still refuses to take of her shoe. "No, I mustn't. Not ever. I mustn't"
(page 8). Another example is when David offers to get someone to help but instead Sophie responds, "No, I'll crawl," she said. Sophie crawls for a long way and by the end her knees are sore and bleeding. David Storm claims, "I had never known anyone, boy or girl, who would have kept on till that pitch; it awed me slightly." (pg.9). Later as the book progresses, Sophie is banished to the fringes. There Sophie has fallen in love with Gordan or the "Spider-man". She's very caring and compassionate. When David asks her if she is in love with the "spider-man". Sophie replies, "Oh, don't call him that-please-we can't any of us help being what we are. His name's Gordon, He's kind to me David. He's fond of me." (pg. 167). Another example is after she rescues David and asks him, "have they hurt you badly David" (pg.165). Without even knowing Sophie as a person, the people of Waknuk persecuted her. Her life was very difficult, yet she still carried on. Sophie was a very enjoyable, dynamic character.