Chad Renner Summary (196-244)

While reading this section a poignant idea struck me. Although Lauren may have lived in relative destitution compared to our standards she still retained access to necessities of life. However as Lauren traverses the Northwest region I came to the realization of just how fragile our civilization is. Moreover how fragile our humanity is when confronted with the irresistible impulse to survive. When our technology forsakes us and the veil of civilization drops what remains are truly our most rudimentary instincts and desires. Civilization may have fettered our natural inclinations but I do not believe it has altered us irrevocably. Thus when civilization collapses, generally, anarchy prevails and this can be noted throughout history and in the Parable of the Sower. With ease we seem to revert to what was once, in a more civilized time, considered primitive and barbarous. My realization was solidified when Lauren was describing the attack on a small community by hordes of scavengers and the valiant, but ultimately, futile attempts of the inhabitants to defend their community.

Amid the ongoing journey northward Lauren and her initial group of three began to learn more about each other. Of course eventually Lauren revealed to Harry and Zahra what she was constantly writing about, Earthseed. As they traveled up the coast they, incidentally, garnered more members for their group and eventually they were joined by six others. As she became acquainted with the newcomers she began more and more to disseminate the concept of Earthseed, although she was circumspect not to begin preaching to them. As I was reading this I wondered why Butler titled the book the Parable of the Sower. Further investigation revealed that this is also the title of one Jesus’s parables. In this particular parable a sower drops a seed among rocks and thorns, and yet despite the adverse conditions the seed grows and is able to bear a plethora of fruit. The parallels between this parable and Butler’s novel are apparent. Therefore the very title presages the fate of Earthseed which will only continue to proliferate as the novel progresses and more people are persuaded by Lauren’s ideas.