Parable of the Sower

    The parable of the sower is an interesting view of the direction of the United States. The country Octavia E. Butler presents is in a lasting state of chaos that has become almost normal. Lack of basic resources such as, water, food, building materials, is a predominant theme in the book. In 2024 there are few people execpt for the very rich who have enough money and resources to live as the average american can live today. Many people are homeless, unemployed, or both and struggle every day to survive. The "Middle Class" have enough to keep homes and a few utilities but are constantly teatering on the brink of losing what they have as well. The overall state of socioty is just awful and their seems to be no resolution in sight.         
    Octavia E. Butler's choice to write in the first person viewpoint definitely contributes to the way the reader understands the theme. Documentaries and news broadcasters today often discuss how environmental issues are already affecting the planet and our way of life. However, apart from fluctuating gas prices, many people don't notice the affects that we are being told of things that we are told are huge issues. Many believe that it won't affect them severely enough to warrant much chance. The character of Lauren Olamina presents a personal view of the possible effects of these environmental and societal issues we are being warned about. Lauren gives the reader a view of a community without clean water, abundance of food, and utilities that we are all so accustomed to. The first person viewpoint allows the reader to connect to the theme on  a personal level

     Lauren is also similar to the average american her age in a distinct way. Lauren often references adults talking about the "good old days" and the way things used to be. To Lauren its as if its a whole other strange world drastically different from the climate she grew up in. It is so foreign to her she has trouble understanding what it was like before the down turn that affected the United States. She has even given up hope that the country will ever return to its previous state of stability. This is a reflection of the typical american teenager who hears their parents talking about when they were kids this and when they were kids that. To Americans life without electricity, running water, or grocery stores loaded with food seems like something out of reality. It is almost unimaginable to think of life without all of these things, but for Lauren it's a struggle to imagine a world where such things exist.