Jacob Brown Parable of the Sower 125-195

   In this part of the text Lauren is finally forced to leave her neighborhood. Her training and preparations allowed her escape with enough supplies and money to have a fighting chance beyond the walls of her neighborhood. However, Lauren is not alone as she originally planned. She has met up with two surviving members of her community, Harry and Zahra. As a group they decide to go north to Oregon, Washington, or even Canada. Together they buy the supplies needed and head north on the freeways. As they journey the former neighbors find out more about each other. Zahra tells Marcus and Lauren about her growing up homeless and having to steal to survive. Zahra's street smarts prove useful as they start their journey north. On their journey Marcus is shocked by Lauren's behavior. He realizes she is not the preacher's daughter that most of the neighborhood thought she was. Lauren is also compelled to tell Marcus and Zahra about her "sharing".  Marcus has trouble understanding is which, along with her actions one night when dealing with an attacker which Marcus deemed cruel and unnecessary, has caused Marcus to mistrust Lauren. 
    One thing I thought was interesting was the lack of Earthseed in this part of the text. Earthseed seems to be more of an afterthought to Lauren now that she's actually outside the community. She previously talked about leaving for the sole purpose of spreading Earthseed, but she has only showed Zahra and Marcus her verses and has not even delved into them deeply with them. Perhaps now that she is outside her walls she is to afraid of the reactions she might get or maybe just trying to survive leaves her no energy to focus on Earthseed. It seems now Lauren is more determined to find the supposed safe haven of the north then to spread Earthseed.