Setting plays an essential and valuable role in any literary work. This is because it helps to outline the picture of what is happening more clearly for the reader and contributes to the formation of the general mood of the narrative. Thus, this research paper aims to study the role of setting in the graphic novel by Octavia E. Butler, “Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel Adaptation.”
Thus, “Parable of the Sower” events occur in the United States of America in 2024. Since this is a graphic novel, the description of the setting is not extensive since more attention is paid to the visualization of this aspect. It is worth noting that in the world created by the author, there is an economic crisis, and many environmental problems seriously affect the work’s characters. People are forced to live behind a fence, which prompts them to find “excuses to go outside the wall” (Butler 7). The physical and chronological settings become the basis of the novel, creating an atmosphere in which events will further develop.
The setting is connected to the various parts of the work by what is the background for what is happening. Over time, the environment does not change and still represents the earth experiencing a severe environmental crisis. In addition, the setting is used as a structural frame for the story, which helps to create the atmosphere and show the disruption caused. Economic, philosophical, religious, or ethnic aspects of the setting cause the characters to change. Life behind the wall seriously affects all the people who live inside its borders. Regarding religion, many aspects are revised by the characters or not followed at all. The main character claims that “My father’s God stopped being my God” and that her “God has another name” (Butler 3). People live in constant need and restrictions, and ethical principles do not have such a weighty value.
The atmosphere of the work conveys the overwhelming mood of the author. Hence, the setting lets the reader quickly understand thoughts about existence, life, the human condition, and other things. The world is not the same as before, and people do not have hope for its return. Thus, the author uses setting to illustrate the ideas about one of the social issues. The graphic novel raises the problem of the country’s future and how actions taken now can lead to an irreversible crisis.
Work Cited
Butler, Octavia E. Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel Adaptation. 2020. Harry N. Abrams.