Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler *****

 Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

“So what are we in for? [2024 President-elect] said that as soon as possible after his inauguration next year, he’ll … suspend “overly restrictive” minimum wage, environmental, and worker protection laws ...” Published in 1993. Read it if you dare.

Lauren Olamina is 18 years old. She lives in a walled community in Los Angeles until a gang of pyros breaks through the gate to burn, murder, rape, and rob. She escapes and begins her odyssey north in search of safety and a better life. “In some places, the rich are escaping by flying out in helicopters. The bridges that are still intact—and most of them are—are guarded either by the police or by gangs. Both groups are there to rob desperate, fleeing people of their weapons, money, food, and water—at the least.”

Lauren has hyperempathy syndrome. She is a “feeler” or a “sharer.” When she observes someone in pain, she feels their pain. If she attacks someone (even in self-defense), she’ll feel their pain (until they die). She shoots to kill because if she wounds them, they will both be incapacitated. In a battle, she might die three or four times.

Lauren creates Earthseed and collects people during her journey to build an Earthseed community at the end of her odyssey. “As wind, as water, as fire, as life, God is both creative and destructive, demanding and yielding, Sculptor and clay. God is Infinite Potential: God is Change. EARTHSEED: THE BOOKS OF THE LIVING.” “God is Power— Infinite, Irresistible, Inexorable, Indifferent. And yet, God is Pliable— Trickster, Teacher, Chaos, Clay. God exists to be shaped. God is Change.”

At one level, this book is a survivalist manual. Do not attract attention. Appear strong. Water: Carry water purification tablets. Filter seawater with sand. Guns: Keep them maintained. Have ammunition. A handgun is not effective against a rifle. People: Those with children tend to be more trustworthy. Suspect everyone. Supplies: Seeds. Money. Dried food.

The book ends with The Parable of the Sower (KJV Luke 8:5-8)

A Sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. And others fell on good ground, sprang up, and bore fruit a hundredfold.

Lauren’s parents are both Ph.D.’s

The author discussed company towns and debt slavery.

Some quotes

“A tree cannot grow in its parents’ shadows.”

“In the night, a woman and three kids might look like a gift basket of food, money, and sex.”

“I drew the gun and held it in my lap. If I needed it at all, I would need it fast. We weren’t strong enough to survive slowness or stupid.”

“Most people suspected it had begun in Los Angeles, where, according to them, most stupid or wicked things began. Local prejudice. I didn’t tell any of them I was from the L.A. area.”

“There was more hunger in those eyes than we could fill with all our food. I thought I had probably made a mistake. These people were so desperate, they were dangerous. It didn’t matter at all that [mother and daughter] looked harmless. They were still alive and strong enough to run. They were not harmless.”

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