A Parable of Rape, Murder And Wavering Sexism

Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler is a novel that sits on a fence between sexism and anti-sexism throughout, but ultimately proves that a woman can accomplish the impossible just as much as any man.

The story surrounds Lauren, a young girl who goes from ages 15 to 18 within the novel. The time is 2021 when the world is in shambles and it is impossible to leave gated communities without fear of being killed or brutally raped. Anarchy is everywhere, with no one safe from the destruction. Ultimately, Lauren’s community, Robledo, is broken into and destroyed, leaving her entire family dead and her whole world crushed into. So, Lauren sets off on foot, prepared to walk to eventual, possible safety up north.

But Lauren does not travel as a woman, she travels dressed as a man. At first thought, it appears to be incredibly misogynistic. I was angered by Butler’s choice, proving that men are deemed stronger or better fit at survival, at times like this. Lauren is intelligent, strong-willed, and prepared for her trip. As others doubted her disaster plan while still in her gated community, she was the only one who wound up alive in the end. She appears stronger than any man mentally and sometimes physically, and is an incredible shot. Why dress as a man if she is fully prepared?

I realized that it is not the novel or the author to blame, but the time period she has created. Lauren must change her gendered appearance simply due to a unthinkable crime and rape rate. She believes that by dressing as a man, her traveling companions (a man and a woman from her community) and herself will ultimately be safer. Two men and one woman looks a hell of a lot better than one man and two women to the opposing, hate-filled eye.

It is hard to imagine a world like this, but Butler has made a significant point here. If all hell broke loose and anarchy filled the streets, would people maintain sanity? It is hard to stomach, but easy to believe that people would go back to animal instincts, scrounging the area for safety supplies, food, water, and sex. Without a sane mind or sane time, nothing is off limits.

As a leader of her on-the-road community when more and more people join her walking group, the rapists and murderers scrounging the area may take their group as more of a threat if the leader is a man. Sexist once more, yes, but these are sexist times. What proves Butler’s feminist perspective is that Lauren’s group is aware of her actual sex (and young age), but follow her whole-heartedly. They respect her decisions almost always and see her as a knowledgeable source for survival. Having to somewhat prove herself, she eventually prevails.

Leading her community to safe land to start fresh, Lauren is able to accomplish the supposed impossible. Her community stays together, deciding to use Lauren’s writing throughout their journey as their new religion. She calls it Earthseed: The Books of the Living. Entrusting their lives and beliefs to Lauren, the community is proving that even within misogynistic times, a woman can prevail and lead even more than a man. Sexist times call for sexists measures, but this novel ultimately highlights the feminine drive that exists within all of us.

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