Abstract This paper presents a summary and analysis of "Parable of the Sower". The paper takes a look at biblical references in Butler's sci-fi story, as well as its parallels to the modern world and where our society may be headed.
From the Paper "Octavia E. Butler, the grande dame of science fiction, writes extraordinary, inspirational stories of ordinary people. Parable of the Sower is an ultimately hopeful tale set in a dystopian future United States of walled cities, disease, fires, and madness. Butler brings forth an utterly nightmarish vision of California in 2025, but one with a shockingly firm grounding in reality. Society, plagued by global warming and other detriments that Butler keeps unspecified, has collapsed. Los Angeles has devolved into walled island neighborhoods in a sea of utter chaos, (Butler, 23). Residents have been forced to themselves to keep from being overrun by hoards of homeless and starving just beyond the walls. Gangs of thugs rape, pillage and, under the influence of a drug called pyro, burn whole neighborhoods to the ground for the sheer joy of destruction. Everything we take for granted today now comes with a price. No one can be trusted. Violence is a way of life. People hear gunfire so much that [they no longer] hear it, (Butler, 440). Slavery is returning."
Abstract This essay takes the form of a brief summary, followed by a critique of the novel "Kindred" by the African-American woman science fiction author Octavia E. Butler. This novel details life on a plantation, but beyond its fictional scope it provides the reader with knowledge and information about what life was like during the age it chronicles. Ultimately, it presents its readers, both black and white, with a profound moral quandary of the impact of slavery upon the lives and ancestors of both slave owners and former slaves.
From the Paper "The novel tells the tale of a young, African-American woman of the present who is transported back in time to an era and a place in our country's history where she was no longer considered a human being but merely a piece of chattel. The woman's name is the very modern appellation of ?Dana.? The first time she is brought back in time to the ages of her ancestor, she meets a future slave owner named ?Rufus.? (A ridiculous name thinks Dana.) Rufus? life is endangered as child. Dana chooses to save the white baby Rufus, as one day he will become her own ancestor, though a slave-owner. She decides to do this even though the way the two of them will become linked is by a freeborn black woman becoming his slave and her own grandmother."
Abstract A comparison and discussion of two texts on slavery and its evils, "Narrative of an American Slave" by African-American slave, Frederick Douglass and "Kindred" by Octavia Butler. The paper shows how these novels show the dynamics of slavery- its horrible cost to the culture and country, and the continued efforts of people today to make sure it never happens again.
From the Paper "One of the most famous accounts of slavery in America comes from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself. Douglass was a gifted writer, and an eloquent orator who motivated and influenced numerous people, abolitionists, and politicians throughout his life on the subject of slavery and freedom."
Abstract This paper is a persuasive indictment of Oankali (alien) actions in the novel "Dawn" by Octavia Butler. It addresses international relations as well as literary theory, particularly the value of conflict and emotion in forming "human-ness". .
Abstract This paper takes a look at 'Kindred' by Octavia Butler and discusses how this modern-day slave narrative brings into sharp focus the reality that we cannot escape history. The paper further discusses how the culture of our ancestors has clearly changed, but just as we carry on the bloodlines and genetic information from our ancestors, we also carry forward the remnants of their culture.
From the Paper "By entering into the role of a slave, Dana begins to negotiate and develop the ethic of compromise within her own head. She is perfectly aware that killing her "owner," Rufus, would bring no legal action in the modern world, nor would it likely bear any guilt on her psyche. However, she has become keenly aware from her second visit to Maryland that Rufus is not just any slave owner, he happens to be the man who will eventually father the first ancestor listed in her family tree. The repercussions of killing him would then logically lead to Dana and the rest of her family simply never coming into existence. Begrudgingly Dana accepts this knowledge and learns to survive in the same way that Alice, one of the house slaves, survives. At first Dana didn't understand how Alice could tolerate, and even express mild affection toward, Rufus after learning that Rufus had sold off three of Alice's children. Eventually Dana understands the complex relationship that all of the slaves have with Rufus through the knowledge that she must protect someone who does her harm ironically for her own protection. In the end, however, Dana comes to a full realization of the situation, and after her ancestor has been born and safely sent away from the plantation, she finally is placed in a situation where she must kill Rufus. Dana realizes that she cannot accept slavery no matter how kind or well-intentioned the slave owner is. "A slave was a slave. Anything could be done to her," Dana thinks as she sinks the knife into Rufus' side (Butler 284)."
Tags: dana, kevin, slave, alice, rufus, relationship, victim
Abstract This paper discusses how on the surface, Octavia Butler's "Kindred", is a time-travel science fiction novel investigating a modern day female African American's experience in the pre-Civil War south. However, it contends that, underneath the surface, the novel attempts to examine the inter-personal relationships between parents and their children. It looks at how Dana, the novel's protagonist seemingly becomes the surrogate mother to the accident-prone Anglo child Rufus and how, as the novel progresses, the adept reader realizes, Dana's martial characteristics contributes to the unhealthy emotional childhood development of Rufus.
From the Paper "Having established Dana as a strong maternal figure, Rufus demonstrates the qualities of an erring and insecure child. First, the reader learns about the quality of love that has shaped the young Rufus' psychic; "And there was Rufus, swung from his father's indifference to his mother's sugary concern" (69). Rufus the child, experiences his biological parent's paternal love as "indifference" and "sugary", which only reinforces his dependent bond with the maternal love provided by Dana. "
Abstract This paper discusses how, in recent works of historical fiction by Toni Morrison ("Beloved") and Octavia E. Butler ("Kindred"), common themes of black literature are explored. It examines how principally through circular narrative, recall of memory and the pervasive theme of human bondage, Morrison demonstrates a powerful, varied, and incisive style in the portrayal of how humanity can be stolen from those who are victimized. In comparison, it looks at how based on first hand, factual experiences researched by Butler, "Kindred" presents a unique perspective on the sacrifices that a slave had to make to secure his or her freedom. It concludes that both these works bear testimony to the profound impact that this tragic period in history has had on the black literature of today.
From the Paper "The use of paradox is evident from the beginning of the novel as the narrator describes the house at 124 Bluestone Road as being "Full of a baby's venom" (Morrison 3), in direct contradiction to the usual attribute of innocence associated with an infant. As the plot develops, the audience begins to understand the true meaning of this phrase in regard to the murder of the baby, Beloved, by its mother, Sethe. Rather than condemning her child to a morbid life filled with the torment of slavery, Sethe is driven to this heinous act in the belief that she will give her child a better alternative than a life of slavery. For a strong mother to commit such a shocking and outrageous act, it can be concluded that Sethe's life was nothing short of sheer hell and torture. "
A review of the achievements of early feminists and social reformers in encouraging European women to participate in business and politics during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Abstract This paper looks at the efforts of the Bluestocking Society social group and the feminist influence of Mary Wollstonecraft. The paper discusses the obstacles that European women faced in achieving their rights including the Contagious Diseases Act. The paper also notes the accomplishments of Octavia Hill, a social reformer that set out to develop more suitable social housing. The paper shows how through their activism, women were able to gain more opportunities to participate in both business and political activities.
From the Paper "The eighteenth and nineteenth century in Europe was a time that great importance was put upon family life, romantic love and child rearing. Society felt that maternal bonds were more significant than having women in the workforce; therefore a steep decline occurred in the number of employed women. Women were tied to the private sphere of the home and were encouraged to remain subordinate to men. Their attention was being confined to their private world of the family. For Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a Western philosopher whose ideas were immensely influential in England at this time, the separation of the public from the private sphere, the confinement of women to the private and domestic world, and the establishment of an orderly domestic and familial life were not only important in themselves, but were integral to the establishment and maintenance of social and political order."
Tags: Bluestocking, Society, Mary, Wollstonecraft, Octavia, Hill, Contagious, Diseases, Act
Abstract This paper discusses the novel, "In Parable of the Sower," written by author Octavia E. Butler. The paper explains how, set in 2024, this religious tale exemplifies what the world has come to in terms of law and order. The paper examines the imagery throughout the novel and discusses how it is used to portray the depravity of society.
From the Paper "To be sure, Butler might seem to depict violence and death as the only thing that life has to offer in the new era, but realistically, through her protagonist, Butler reminds the reader that life's circumstances should not paralyze one into inaction. Rather, the audience is constantly reminded that in order to create a different reality one must have the courage to stand up and make changes. After all, the mantra of this parable is, "God is Change." In whatever God the audience chooses to believe, there is the power to make the changes necessary for a better future. Indeed, Parable of the Sower is very much a tale of hope and courage."
Abstract This essay covers the life and accomplishments of Nero, emperor of Rome. It talks about his unlikely ascent to the throne due to his conniving mother. The paper shows that Nero's rule began well enough, but as time went on his mistrust for others grew. The paper speaks about the development of tensions between Nero and those who were once close to him. It also mentions his bizarre hobbies, his bloody persecution of Christians and his equally bloody demise.
From the Paper "After her death, Nero divorced Octavia and married Poppaea and completely lost all inhibitions. He would go to the Olympics, an event scorned by the Romans and continued to act and sing, even though such a pastime was seen as lowly in Roman society. In one final callous act, he burned down almost a quarter of Rome, purportedly to expand his immense estate or wanting to replace the cluttered, ugly old Rome with new, innovative architecture. He used the Christians as a scapegoat for this act and gave them a fitting punishment: using them as live torches at festivals. When his wife became pregnant the senate decided that Nero was a threat to the Roman people and wanted to kill him before the baby was born and named heir. The plan failed but the baby died shortly after its birth and later Poppaea herself died from a later miscarriage."
Abstract This paper compares time travel in Ian Stewart's "Flatterland, Octavia Butler's Kindred, Michio Kaku's Hyperspace", and Kip Thorne's "Black Holes and Time Warps: Einstein's Outrageous Legacy".
Abstract This paper compares Octavia Butler's novel "The Parable of the Sower" with the Parable of the Sower as told by Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. In the context of this comparison, it reflects upon the meaning and importance of religious ideas in shaping human life.
Abstract The paper examines the literature on Cleopatra, finding sources that disclaim the legends of her beauty. The paper discusses Plutarch's literature on Cleopatra and the images he creates of her. The writer proposes that it was her charm, rather than her beauty that captivated Mark Anthony and Julius Caesar. The paper concludes that it was her mind that made her special, as she used her wits to save Egypt and charm Rome's leaders.
From the Paper "In fact, contemporary images of Cleopatra found on coins of the time as well as statuary, seem to suggest a woman with rather harsh, masculine features, including a long, hooked nose and a matronly face. Cleopatra, in fact, bore many of the same features as her ancestors; portraits and statues of her relatives reveal that the long, hooked nose was a family trait."
Abstract This paper reviews the life and history of Mark Antony, born Marcus Antonius. The paper discusses how, thanks to the works of famous writers like Plutarch and Shakespeare, Mark Antony has become a legend. The paper further discusses how his actions following Julius Caesar's death in 44 B.C. and his exploits with Queen Cleopatra have made him interesting reading and a source of entertainment for centuries. However, behind the many stories, there was a man who was a brave general, loyal supporter, dedicated Roman and ardent lover.
From the Paper "While Caesar was fighting in Egypt and Africa to defeat the last of Pompey's forces, Antonius was given the distinction of being made Master of the Horse (fact). His role was to be a politician and administrator in Italy while Caesar was out of the country. Unfortunately for him, Antonius was not good in that role and was removed in 47 B.C. and even banished from Caesar's sight for two years (unrv). Nevertheless, Antonius was able to work his way back into Caesar's circle; in 44 B.C. he was the one to offer the crown to Caesar, a circumstance much celebrated in the first act of Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar (unrv)."
