“And any creature that shall seem to be human, but is not formed thus is not human. It is neither man nor woman. It is a blasphemy against the true Image of God, and hateful in the sight of God.”

The Definition of Man is a doctrine written in a book called Repentances. It was written after Tribulation and outlines what the author believed to be the true image of God and the importance of following this image. The Definition of Man follows David everywhere he goes and is deeply entrenched in Waknuk. It is the source of countless deaths, conflicts, and needless destruction, and represents both The Dangers of Resisting Change and Purity, Prejudice, and the Rippling Effects of Fear.

“My father’s faith was bred into his bones.”

Joseph Strorm’s faith is embedded in him as it was passed down from his father, a brutal and cruel man who was obsessed with traditionalism. Joseph upholds these same values, to a much more extreme extent than most of the other members of the community. He is completely unyielding and willing to kill even his own family to maintain purity. Joseph’s disposition is representative of Purity, Prejudice, and the Rippling Effects of Fear, as his actions lead David and the others to be in a permanent state of anxiety as they wait for the day they are discovered.