Octavia Butler's Parable Of Earthseed As A Coping Mechanism

Part I — Sowing Survival: Lauren and Trauma Introduction Octavia Butler’s (1993) novel Parable of the Sower unapologetically depicts a dystopia filled with theft, murder, and rape. Lauren—the narrator and protagonist—not only witnesses these crimes but suffers the victims’ pain as a hyper-empath. Traumatised by her immersive onlook, Lauren develops coping mechanisms that embrace leadership over vulnerability and apathy against hyperempathy. The former—reclaiming a sense of autonomy—gives birth to Earthseed, a religion of Lauren’s creation which she initially uses to become an authority of moral standing—attempting to stop the suffering of others. The latter—becoming apathetic to counter physical hyperempathy, although detrimental to the former—is

Earthseed as a Coping Mechanism Lauren embraces Earthseed as a way to mitigate the loss of autonomy that comes with victimisation. For example, she writes that Earthseed “quiets the mind” and “strengthens purpose” (Butler 214). These effects show that Lauren relies on Earthseed for mental sustenance. The particular emphasis on autonomy is clarified when Lauren writes in the Earthseed book that “all struggles are essentially power struggles” (Butler 94). This definitive statement shows that Lauren’s struggles—such as her struggle to strengthen Earthseed—are to gain authority above all else. Therefore, the written doctrines of Earthseed have negligible significance—they are merely for Lauren’s satisfaction. Furthermore, these findings indicate that Lauren is not a prophet, nor a visionary; but a young girl who desperately needs nurturing. She leads people along a course that is purely her own—a mistake consequent of her youth; consequent of a society pressing youth beyond its limits. Despite the failings of her caretakers, Lauren still displays moral intent with her

Apathy as a Coping Mechanism Correspondingly, Lauren starts practising apathy to counter the traumatising effects of her hyperempathy. For instance, amid her father’s disappearance—and implied death—she addresses her community, thanks them for their efforts in searching for him, and then preaches “a sermon about perseverance”. This response, limited in vehemence, is contrary to what one might expect from anyone—let alone a teenage girl who is grieving for their father. This demonstrates that Lauren practises dissociation from her emotions. Although this yielding to mental lassitude is harmful, Lauren has a valid reason to do this: Mitigating the weakening effects of her hyperempathy. Early in the book, Lauren states that she “can do okay” if she keeps her condition secret, suggesting that there is a level of danger involved in the vulnerability of hyperempathy (Butler 12). This makes sense—a dystopia like Parable of the Sower’s (Butler, 1993) seldom accommodates any disability; usually exploiting it as a