Briefly compare Uncle Axel's views on deviation with another character's views (i.e. David's father, Old Jacob, or Harriet).
Uncle Axel thinks that "nobody, nobody really knows what is the true image of God" (64). But Joseph Strorm, David's father, says he knows the ture image of God and that anyone who is not the image of God is sent by the devil and is a mutant.
I feel that Uncle Axel knows that it is wrong to disown people of differences because they do not really know what the "true image of God" is. Uncle Axel wonders what the "true image of God" is, he questions if what they have been classifying as the "true image of God" really is or if something else if the "true image of God". On the other hand, like Alyssa said, Joseph Strorm beleives that what he is classing as the "true image of God" really is, and that there is no possible way that a deviation, or people with differences can be right. Joseph Strorm is not willing to give up what he believes in to give people chances. When Uncle Axel knows about David, and does everything he can to protect him, while on the other hand, Joseph Strorm would disown him, or possibly worse…
Uncle Axel's views on deviation are quite different than the others character's views. Like Kendra said, he believes that they can't be sure of what the "true image of God" truly is. He states, "a lot of people saying that a thing is so doesn't prove it is so" (64). Uncle Axel is a sailor who has travelled many places. He explains that many places believe that deviations are normal and says that "in one place they don't think you're properly human unless you have webbed fingers and toes"(62). Unlike Joseph Strorm, he thinks that the true image is about who you are as person rather than based on your appearance. He also thinks it's wrong to take "offences" away from their homes to the Fringes. He does a lot to protect David because he doesn't want him to feel outcasted by the people of his society who have a strict idea of what the true image is.
As Alyssa stated, uncle Axel believes that "nobody, nobody really knows what is the true image of God" (64) and like Adi has added, "a lot of people saying that a thing is so doesn't prove it is so" (64). That's where Uncle Axel's point of view differs from just about everybody elses. Like David, Uncle Axel knows it's not the right thing to do to disown everybody just because you believe that they are not the "true image of God." Unlike somebody such as the inspector though, who's job it is to tell one if they are the "true image of God". To the inspector, if you do not look "normal", you're considered a mutant and told you don't belong to society. Things such as a simple extra toe or finger can put you on the outside. To Uncle Axel though, that is wrong.
Uncle Axel does not believe in Offenses. Axel is a sailor and has been around the world and seen many different kinds of people. He knows that there is no true vision of god that every one in Waknuk is trying to be. Since Axel has seen the world, he knows that people are born different and it is not so horrible to be an offense because there are other places outside of Waknuk and the people all look different. Joseph storm on the other hand is very religious and thinks offenses should be sent to the fringes forever. Joseph believes deeply that everyone should look like god and every abnormality should be taken care of.