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Review: The Parable of the Sower – How The Main Character Spreads Her Religion
Around the world, people believe in all types of religions such as Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and many more. Unlike what most people believe in today, the main character in The Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler believes in a new religion she created called Earthseed where the god is Change. In the novel, Lauren’s community is burned down, and she tries to escape to the North for a better life. Along the way she gathers friends and makes her own Earthseed community. While it was hard convincing the others about Earthseed at first, Lauren tries her best to spread her beliefs.
Possible theses: some of the tactics she uses to teach earthseed some are some aren’t
One of Lauren’s ways of sharing her beliefs is through her poetry. She writes her poetry in a notebook which she calls: The Book of the Living. Throughout it she writes about how her religion works. Her very first poem and also the most popular one she brings up, is about how God is change. On page three chapter one it states, “All that you touch, you Change. All that you Change, Changes you. The only lasting truth is Change. God is Change.” Lauren also uses this poem to tell others about Earthseed, such as with Harry, her childhood friend. With this poem, Lauren can clearly convince others why her God is change. Many people believe that their God is someone who is their “lasting truth”. In Lauren’s case, her God, Change, can be clearly explained why it is her God because it is something that will happen no matter what. Just like what people believe God to be. With her poem’s explanation, it’s a wonderful way for others to understand and join Lauren’s Earthseed beliefs.
While Lauren has explained Earthseed in great ways, her skepticism has prevented her from truly convincing people. One example is her first attempt with Harry, where Lauren shows him her Earthseed poetry book. Even when she’s showing him the book, she thinks, “Imagine him asking me for [the poems]. I must be careful” (157, Butler). Due to her skepticism and fear of what Harry might think, she doesn’t fully explain Earthseed. This continues with Harry later on talking about Earthseed as a joke instead of also following the beliefs. Lauren continues to explain Earthseed with skepticism even with Bankole. “I didn’t expect him to agree with it or even be much interested in it” (250, Butler). As a result of Lauren’s fear, she continues to not fully explain it which leads Bankole to think that the religion is “too simple”. In the end, Bankole continues to not believe in Earthseed. Despite how great her religion and poems may be, with Lauren’s fear of what others may think, her explanations will most likely not be as effective.
Throughout the novel, Lauren does a great job in spreading on her beliefs of Earthseed. While there are still people who doubt her, she continues to try her best through her poems and her Book of the Living. While she does explain it with doubt, Lauren is continuing to improve. Hopefully, Lauren can one day reach her dreams of creating her Earthseed community.