Multiethnic Literatures in the U.S.

Religion: A Distraction or Necessity?

Throughout history, religion has always played a crucial role in the lives of most people in a functioning society. To most individuals religion provides extended moral structure, as well as hope for the afterlife. Nearly all religions have some type of book or scriptures to help define these processes and sets of rules that are to be followed; many of these “hard copies” were written thousands of years ago, but are still perceived just as literally as the day they were written. In both the Parable of the Talents, as well as today’s society, I believe that the use of religion presents a distraction—or attempt at mild brainwashing—which helps to take people’s minds away from the real problems that are going on around us. Although this does not fit the public’s accepted view of religions, I still feel that most religions were originally founded to provide a false sense of security, while also helping leaders gain better control of their citizen’s behavior. After reading the Parable of Talents I notice that Octavia Butler shares similar viewpoints; we notice this by examining how Butler portrays Lauren and President Jarrett’s use of religion and its effect on others. Butler seems use a deteriorating society to exaggerate these present day misconceptions in religion.

In Parable of Talents society seems to be in an exaggerated state of chaos although many characteristics mirror the early stages of serious problems in today’s society. This type of exaggerated setting allows Butler to easily and accurately examine how religion is oftentimes used to distract society from the important issues that should be resolved. In the novel, Butler never really provides specific reasoning for Lauren’s need to start Earthseed, as well as to why she continues to dream about the need for its growth. This illustrates that Lauren might care so much about Earthseed because it provides a much needed distraction from the daily chaos. Chaos has surrounded Lauren her whole life, which may explain why she shows the need to pursue Earthseed with such determination. In many cases, we see this happening in today’s culture as well. For example many people feel satisfied by strictly following the words of the bible, but in reality they are losing sight of the actual economical and political problems that are sometimes more important. Religion may also become a distraction by providing a false sense of security. We see this first hand when Lauren is so caught up in her Earthseed community that it “forces” her to refuse a safe refuge for her elderly husband and their new bourn child. Lauren likes the way that Earthseed provides her with a sense of accomplishment, as well as a self esteem boost from her followers; but because of this she decides there is no way she can abandon her Earthseed community. However, in reality she should have been concentrating on survival before religion. This concept is also seen in today’s society with people who feel their life is complete just because they follow the word of the lord.

President Jarrett also uses religion as an obsolete solution for nearly every problem in their chaotic society. It is obvious that Jarrett is an extremist, but people start to believe that forced Christianity might be the only answer since conditions continue to worsen and no other options seem plausible. Extremists like Jarrett will always exist within any religion; this creates a problem since so many people will follow the orders of religious icon just because every part of a person’s life is structured on that religion. We obviously notice that extremists like Jarrett use the framework of a religion in a manipulative way, far from its original context. Nevertheless, the followers are distracted by religion as a whole, and fail to see the propaganda they are being fed. We see this through Jarrett’s manipulative speeches that result in a “cult-like” following. These “Crusaders,” as they are called, claim that they are fighting, killing, and torturing for the goodness of Christianity. This same type of blindness is seen throughout society today, especially through Jihad (a movement to kill all infidels who do not follow Islam) in the Muslim community. The ruthless individuals who pursue this Jihad show definite similarities to Jarrett’s crusaders. Both of these groups are similar because they use their own perception of religion to distract themselves from the wrongful injustices in which they involve themselves. Religion is always portrayed to be necessary in most societies, but can actually do more harm than expected if every part of our lives become concerned with religion. I feel this is why Butler chose religion to play an essential underlying theme in her The Parable of Talents.

In the novel, Parable of the Talents, by Octavia Butler, she presents Lauren, a character that closely parallels a biblical, God-like figure. Throughout the entire novel, it is obvious that Lauren, creator of Earthseed, has been presented as a religious figure, but at the close of the novel, she seems to really take on a more supernatural, God-like character. As the story of Lauren moves on, she spreads her word of Earthseed throughout the west coast of America, seducing followers as she goes. Lauren seems to accomplish this task by “sharing” and feeling other’s pain and giving people a purpose to live. With these tactics, Lauren ends up being portrayed as a modern day God.

            Most people are familiar with stories of the Bible, those stories in the New Testament which paint a picture of Jesus walking throughout the land, preaching and gaining followers. In reading the last part of Parable of the Talents, this is the same picture that is painted of Lauren. The word of Earthseed becomes mobile, as Lauren begins to travel and search for her daughter. Lauren says, “Things had worked out so well with Nia that I could go on recruiting people as we walked toward Portland” (373). As Lauren makes her journey, she takes advantage of those who give her work and food. She uses their generosity as a means of “recruiting” more people to work for her cause. Much like the biblical character of Jesus, Lauren stays in people’s homes, “breaks bread” with them, and teaches them about her religion.

            In addition to making the word of Earthseed mobile and reaching out to more and more of the population, Lauren gives people a purpose and gains their trust by being able to feel their pain. Several times at the close of the novel, Len claims that Lauren has a way of “seducing” people. Lauren is a sharer, which means that she is able to feel the pain of others. This is yet another way that Lauren mirrors the Biblical God-like character. By being able to size-up other people and connect with their pain, Lauren has an advantage to others and ends up gaining the respect of even complete strangers. While feeling others’ pain, Lauren gives them something they are desperately looking for – a purpose. Lauren says, “The world is full of needy people. They don’t all need the same things, but they all need purpose. Even some of the ones with plenty of money need purpose” (373). Without this part of Lauren’s teaching, she would not have been as successful at reaching people. Like God, Lauren aims at giving people reasons to keep living in an unjust, evil world. She often tells them to help those less fortunate, and to take others into their homes and care for them. This seems to be when Lauren really takes on the persona of a God-like character. She aims at making others in her image by giving them a purpose for their seemingly meaningless lives.

            At the start of Earthseed, people didn’t know why they were drawn to Lauren, a child with such large-scale ideas and dreams. Because of Lauren’s ability of sharing, her purpose for people, and the growing mobility of her written word, this novel closes with a grown woman gaining followers while slowly becoming a God-like character.