Introduction
A person who wants to survive in the natural environment in an autonomous existence should be purposeful and guided by intention and strategy. The human being needs to have the qualities of a leader. Independent, but at the same time helping others, is bound to gain the trust of people, which is also essential in an autonomous existence. Moreover, this does not mean that he should only command and not more; on the contrary, it is crucial that the man is endowed with qualities such as mutual aid and unselfishness. Generally, people who are unwillingly placed in an autonomous mode most often begin to panic, which in any case should not be performed. Humans should remain human even under such conditions, and nature is not supposed to dictate its terms. Thus, it is essential to identify the elements of society that will help people survive in a dangerous world.
Society in the “Parable of the Sower”
The novel’s author depicts California in the mid-2020s, where it rains only once every six years, and the country is falling apart economically and socially. Residents live in fenced and gated communities to protect themselves from the outside world, but protagonist Lauren knows they will not be safe forever (Butler 80). As she develops survival skills and caches an emergency bag, she also gathers her thoughts on a new philosophy of life called Land Seeds. When her neighborhood is destroyed, and her family is killed, she flees with her two neighbors to join the hundreds of people heading north on the main highways. Despite the dangers, Lauren gathers a group of trusted people and shares the Land Seeds with them (Butler 93). Although the risks of a post-apocalyptic world are obvious, this book is ultimately hopeful. Lauren has hope for humanity, which is why she connects with people on the road, helping them rather than separating herself from them.
Nevertheless, Lauren is also a realist, and she and her company defend their interests as needed. The key is deciding who is a threat and who can be an asset. Their group represents a diversity of ethnic groups, which gives them strength in quantitative terms (Butler 98). The idea of the book can also bring these travelers out together and help them build community, for they cannot do otherwise.
Strategies for Creating a Society
Establishing a collective security system is essential to creating a safe society for survival. In the novel, crime is rampant to the point where it is unsafe to leave the alley. Middle-class people have no money for gasoline, which is why they ride bicycles, making them targets. Lauren’s father has to reschedule his rare trips to the university into the early morning hours to avoid running into criminal gangs. The police exist, but their services are expensive and their action ineffective. In Lauren’s community, living by its rules, fifteen-year-olds learn to shoot firearms. None other than learning to shoot allows Lauren to get out of the wall several times. Accordingly, “freedom is dangerous but it’s precious, too,” thus, freedom must be ensured” (Butler 120). Therefore, society needs people of talent who can provide security and protect citizens.
Another component in society is the establishment of rules and boundaries. Accordingly, society must be organized and have a leader. This will help manage a group of people effectively to survive dangerous situations. In the novel, Lauren acts as the kind of leader who can gather people together, divide their responsibilities, and set a common goal for the group. When fire destroys their chemical, Lauren’s family is killed, and she is thrust into a universe full of risks (Butler 90). With few additional refugees, Lauren must travel north in search of safety and devise a radical idea that could mean salvation for all humanity. In this way, individuals united by one goal can be called ordinary because they share the same desires and beliefs (Butler 176). Accordingly, establishing basic rules and boundaries will allow this group to perform missions not chaotically to ensure their safety.
In order for a group of individuals to have the attributes of a united society, faith must be established in which the members of the community would believe. For the characters to live comfortably in the world of “Parable of the Sower”, they need to accumulate enough energy to obtain what they want (Butler 121). Lauren knows that she must adapt to her new world to gain power, and she does it through her language knowledge. After creating a new religion and writing scriptures, she uses vocabulary to her advantage and becomes a leader for many people. She describes people by saying, “they have no power to defend their lives, but they have power so that others can be miserable. And the only way to provide yourself is that you will be able to use it” (Butler 143). Thus, a shared faith in people will enable them to combine strength and desire for change.
Finally, communication is essential for establishing a community capable of responding quickly to challenges. In Lauren’s world, some bad stories occur, but she knows she needs to respond positively. She states, “the world is full of painful stories. Some days it can still be a different kind and I know the thought thinks it’s nice that the deaf water was through the trees” (Butler 263). Although her circumstances are not ideal, Lauren uses the power of storytelling to recover from the chaos. By creating an Earth Seed, she offers herself and others something to hold onto in a world that is often unpredictable (Butler 268). Only through language can Lauren change the collapse of her world into a shining light and an example of greatness for the future.
Diversity of People in Society
The difference of individuals in a society leads to an inability to manage it effectively. Accordingly, conflicts can arise when different ethnic and racial groups are brought together. This can lead to changes in attitudes and priorities within the group. Thus, a homogeneous society must be created if society is safe not only from external factors but also from internal ones. However, the novel demonstrates that regardless of color, people can be effectively treated. In the novel, it is stated, “embrace diversity or be destroyed” (Butler 194). This is because ethnicity does not matter if a group of people is united by common interests and religion and has an effective leader.
Conclusion
Thus, in “The Parable of the Sower,” Octavia Butler introduces Lauren as a human being who can save and rehabilitate others through language and by creating her religion, the Earth Seed. By demonstrating the second importance of telling their story, she reminds the dark people that their voices are as important as anyone else’s. In a world where people struggle for the essential elements for survival, knowing that one will leave an indelible mark on the world provides people with the hope they need. Through her empowerment, use of the community, and confidence, Lauren becomes a leader to many and an inspiration to those she encounters.
Work Cited
Butler, Octavia. Parable of the Sower. Open Road Media, 2012.