Multiethnic Literatures in the U.S.

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.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS