PotS pgs 125-194 Diana Jones

For this section of Parable of the Sower, I was floored by the strength that Lauren has reserved and has shown. I was very sad to find out that Lauren’s father went missing but I’m having a hard time believing that he is really dead. I know in this world it is the more likely conclusion but I think since he’s been such a positive character, as the reader, I’m having a hard time letting go of him. Lauren’s family was all but dissolved with the loss of Keith and now the leader of the family. I know that Lauren is sad and she misses him but I think that in the pages where she writes about her father, she is still showing great restraint and strength compared to what most people that I know feel about losing someone so important to them. I feel the most sorry for Lauren at this section in the book but I am so glad that Butler created her to be such a strong character. I think it definitely builds on the God is Change theory in that Lauren is able to survive and still stay sane throughout all the hardships she’s been dealt.

            Later on, there is a fire that I believe, starts a bad omen for the community. The fire was not just a fire, but also a way for thieves to distract and rob the other neighborhood homes. Considering that people outside the wall are so bad off, it’s understandable that the outsiders would take hits wherever they can get them but it was hard to read that the community was attacked twice in one night when they are mostly good people doing the best they can. Cory’s sewing machine gets stolen and Cory takes that as a huge hit. Lauren knows it’s a hard blow to be robbed of things you need but she still stands by her “God is Change” beliefs even at the worst of times. “We’ll Adapt. We’ll have to. God is Change. Strange how much it helps me to remember that.” The last sentence in this quote really struck me. Is Lauren taking a pessimistic or a realistic outlook on this and many other situations? Knowing her character and the type of person I see her as, I think she is just being realistic and her reality is obviously much more grim than our own.

            When the community is attacked I was very scared for everyone. I knew from the foreshadowing that Lauren has reiterated, it would be an inevitable occurrence. Although, I didn’t realize it would be such a huge blow to the community and to Lauren. It was bound to happen but I wish Lauren was able to prepare more people. It was mentioned after the attack that Lauren wished there had been an escape plan and some type of meet up location in case anything like this happened. I wondered this myself. In preparation for natural disasters this is one of the first steps, why was it not thought of in this world where disasters happen every day?

            When Lauren goes back to get supplies and money I was worried she was going to get caught and get in trouble with the scavengers. It was good that she somewhat looked the part and tried not to attract attention. She meets up with Zahra and Harry and they talk about dead family members. I really didn’t think Cory and the other boys would die. Lauren probably takes some of that weight onto herself for not being able to help and train them better. I do think that Cory wasn’t as accepting of Lauren though and I think that she might have been more of a burden if they were to walk north with her as well.

            It’s been very interesting to hear Zahra’s story and to find out more about where she came from and how she went from repressive in the financial aspect to a role that was sexually repressive. I do think that Zahra’s street smarts have and will come in handy on the three’s journey north. I hope that her attractiveness doesn’t get them in a bind like Lauren fears it will. The walk and observing the other people around them has helped the three learn what they can and cannot do while traveling and how they must drink and eat where no one can see them.

            Lauren sharing her secret was a big step for her and asking them to make a decision must have been even harder. I was glad that Zahra was accepting but I think it will take Harry more time to come around and that makes me uneasy. Harry is holding onto the old ways too much and I’m hoping that the girls will convince him that they are acting only in the safest way.