Chapters 7 & 8

These chapters are far less eventful than the rest of the novel so far. Chapter 7 details the birth of David's younger sister and the visit of his aunt Harriet. It shows that no reference is made to the pregnancy or baby until it is verified as pure. This not very surprising coming from this society. Later, David's aunt Harriet arrives carrying her own baby and goes to Emily, David's mother and her sister. She shows Emily that her baby has a small mutation and Emily is stunned that the baby has not been certified. Harriet then proceeds to ask if she could borrow Emily's baby for the inspection, but she is fiercely rejected. Joseph then arrives and is informed of what the situation and condemns Harriet. Harriet then states that she is not ashamed and Joseph declares her a heretic. She is found dead later that night. There are two things of note. the first is that the effect these events have on David are huge, especially her stating that she is not ashamed, only beaten and her emotionless look back at the house as she leaves. The second is it is stated that after a women has produced three deviations, she is to be cast out and sent away by her husband.The baby Harriet's third mutant child and that Petra could potentially have been Emily's third mutant baby. This, in addition to the fact that the third sister had already been sent away, shows that the family has a high tendency toward deviation.

The eighth in the novel surrounds David's insecurity and fear of being discovered. Uncle Axel then goes forth to display more wisdom. He states that the whole goal of their civilization is to get back to where the Old people were and have peace, but that the Old people caused the Tribulation in the first place, so it is not a very intelligent thing to do. He also talks about how it does not make sense for God to have sent tribulation, as it did not purify the Earth as was the goal of tribulation but instead spread chaos and insanity. This is the first chapter that allows us to speculate as to the beliefs of the author. While discussing the former points, Uncle Axel makes a statement for the case of evolution, that what separates man from the animals is his mind and that it would make sense for the telepathy in David's group to be a kind of new evolutionary trait.