The Chrysalids

by

John Wyndham

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on The Chrysalids makes teaching easy.

Rachel Character Analysis

Rachel is Anne’s sister, and another telepath. When an illiterate neighbor finds Anne’s suicide note, which is addressed to the Inspector, Rachel lies and says that it is meant for her so that she can destroy the note and protect the others in the group. Petra reads from Rachel’s thoughts that she is in love with Michael, who eventually goes back to rescue Rachel and take her to Zealand.
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Rachel Character Timeline in The Chrysalids

The timeline below shows where the character Rachel appears in The Chrysalids. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 8
Words Theme Icon
Ways of Knowing Theme Icon
Racism and Fear of the Unknown Theme Icon
...out the group’s ability. They decide to learn each other’s names—Michael, Sally, Katherine, Mark, Anne, Rachel, and Rosalind—to avoid any future stress or confusion. (full context)
Chapter 10
Words Theme Icon
Ways of Knowing Theme Icon
Rachel, Anne’s telepathic sister, tells the group that Alan has been found dead with an arrow... (full context)
Words Theme Icon
Ways of Knowing Theme Icon
Morality Theme Icon
...finds the note and, thinking it is meant for a family member, gives it to Rachel rather than to the Inspector. Rachel does not tell the neighbor she has read the... (full context)
Chapter 12
Words Theme Icon
Ways of Knowing Theme Icon
Racism and Fear of the Unknown Theme Icon
...mother would never do the same. While Rosalind, David, and Petra escape, Michael, Mark, and Rachel monitor the situation at home and tell the three fugitives about the authorities’ plans to... (full context)
Words Theme Icon
Morality Theme Icon
Racism and Fear of the Unknown Theme Icon
...Inspector’s suspicions about Rosalind, David, and Petra, but no one yet suspects Michael, Mark, and Rachel. The anguish that Sally feels overwhelms the group. (full context)
Chapter 17
Ways of Knowing Theme Icon
Time and Progress Theme Icon
Morality Theme Icon
Racism and Fear of the Unknown Theme Icon
Michael wants to return to Waknuk to retrieve Rachel before they go, but the woman says that her machine does not have enough fuel... (full context)
Ways of Knowing Theme Icon
Time and Progress Theme Icon
Morality Theme Icon
...will not meet Aunt Harriet’s or Katherine’s or Anne’s fate. Michael asks Petra to tell Rachel that if she will wait for him, he will come find her. Michael explains that... (full context)