Feb 12 2008
Change vs Stability
In the Parable of the Talents, Octavia Butler introduces new points of reference through the journal entries written by other characters. Among one of the new points of reference in the book is Lauren’s daughter. Through her journal entries, Butler tries to continue to show how there is no true difference between Lauren and the other characters that seem to oppose her. She sets this up through the less biased point of view of Lauren’s daughter, since she seems to not be a believer in Earthseed or any religion. She starts off by having Lauren’s daughter points out weakness in Earthseed. Then through her entries, Butler does a great deal a comparison between different religions and religious leaders in an effort to show differences and faults in Earthseed.
In one instance on page 63 Lauren’s daughter compares Earthseed’s God to the God in the Jonathan Edwards sermon as a way to show why a person would choose one religion over another. Then in another instance Lauren’s daughter compares Lauren’s belief in Earthseed and Marc’s beliefs focused around stability. Butler uses these comparative journal entries to further push home the point she is trying to make about the horrible dangers of people seeking leadership and stability during times of chaos. Through the comparison made by Lauren’s daughter and those made by Lauren about Earthseed and President Jarret, Butler is showing that there is no real difference between all of these perspectives. To Butler, there is no difference between Lauren, President Jarret, or Marc’s religions and points of view. They are all offering some shade of leadership, stability, order, and sense of safety in a time of chaos.
Though Butler has a point in terms of what all the three different characters are offering, the stance she is taking seems to be very black and white. The fact that Marc, Lauren, and President Jarret are providing the same leadership and stability in different shades during a time of chaos cannot be argued. However, it seems a bit one sided the way she makes it out to be such a dangerous occurrence. She puts it in such a context that there seems to be only two sides of the situation, those who don’t really choose a side/religion and those that do choose a side/religion are some form of zealots. A perfect example can be seen in the way Acorn and Earthseed are presented together. The way that Butler has portrayed Lauren is that she gives a form of ultimatum for people to join Earthseed. People can be a part of Acorn, but if they do not believe and join in Earthseed they do not profit as much as those who decide to join. Then there is the way she portrays President Jarret and his followers as crusaders drying to rid the country of people who do not believe in Christianity.
Butler seems to be casting such a negative light on finding guidance and stability through religion. It is neither absolutely the right nor only way to go, but what is actually wrong with finding leadership and stability during a time of chaos? Though change is all far and good, stability and consistence whether found in religion or some other form is not that bad either. Even when you look around today, there are a great many freedoms and changes that are occurring in the United States. With the advancements that are occurring and the improvements in the quality of life, there are also negative factors. Between the mass amounts of safety issues involving the internet and the progressive downturn of the environment, there is enough danger and chaos that exist today. Is it honestly such a bad concept to have something, whether religion or leadership, to center a person’s life and the way they choose to live it?
