Cultural Interpretations: Parable of the Sower

Teresita Gaitan

Race in Literature 

Culture Interpretations:

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler 

Verse at the start of chapter 17 pg. 196:

"Embrace diversity.

Unite--

Or be divided, 

robbed,

ruled,

killed

By those who see you as prey.

Embrace diversity 

Or be destroyed." 

We know that Lauren is writing her own verses and beliefs in a journal in where she is writing about her religion Earthseed. Her verses are composed from her experiences living in the future in California between the times of 2024 to 2027. Throughout the book each chapter starts off with a bolded verse and the reason for that could be because Lauren wants us to understand her beliefs. The verse starts off with the line "Embrace diversity" and that diversity comes in all aspects. The following two lines are what could happen when with diversity, it could bring people united or divided. But the following lines are the consequences that will happen if people divide because of diversity.

Lauren lives within a wall that was built to protect her community, Robledo, from those living on the outside of the wall. To the outsiders they see this community to be living a better life than the one they are living. At the start of the book we have a sense that those living surrounded by the wall are "united" in a way. They stick together and try to protect each other from those living on the outside. However, since they aren't united with those on the outside we see division, robberies, and people are being killed. The wall became a symbol of separation and it was destroyed and broken down by the face-painted pyro addicts. 

Lauren tells us that the community living inside the wall are united but to a certain point. Robledo isn't “used” to interracial marriages but due to the circumstances it is avoided. They stay united to protect each other and mainly their own home. Diversity comes in more aspects besides race but also economic status, income, benefits, health, and a large variety of other elements and qualities. There is a division within the society and just as the verse says people are robbed, killed, and ruled to the point where they are all destroyed. Everyone saw each other as a prey because they all divided each other rather than uniting to change the problems of society.