Introduction
It is a famous post-apocalyptic novel of hope and terror by award-winning author Octavia Butler. As global climate change and economic crises lead to social chaos in the early 2020s, California is filled with dangers. From widespread water shortages to masses of homeless people who will do anything to survive another day (Akers 106). Fifteen-year-old Lauren Olamina lives in a gated neighborhood with her father, preacher, family, and neighbors, relatively safe from the surrounding anarchy. In a society where every vulnerability is a risk, she suffers from hyper empathy, a debilitating sensitivity to the emotions of others. Developed and wise beyond her years, Lauren should ensure that her voice is heard to protect her loved ones from the impending calamities that her small community stubbornly disregards (Akers 109). However, that which begins as a struggle for survival quickly leads to the birth of a new faith and a startling understanding of human destiny. Accordingly, it is essential to establish themes of empathy and compassion in the Parable of Octavia Butler’s Sower.
Empathy
It is significant to observe that most people consider empathy a weakness that negatively affects a person. Although, in fact, this feeling makes a real human being who can experience and understand the pain of others. The main character Lauren has an innate feature that allows her to share the emotions and feelings of others. For example, if someone near her experiences pain or joy, she also experiences these sensations, which do not infrequently bring her pain (Butler 71). Butler demonstrates the importance of empathy in a world of constant conflict. It is designed to demonstrate to people the sensitivity and assistance that can be received.
It is worth noting that Lauren understood which people especially needed her help; for example, when Lauren met a spouse with a child, she realized that they needed help. Due to hyper empathy, she discovered that they could not independently overcome the attacks; thus she decided to offer them assistance (Gartner 5). Therefore, the girl attempts to save a previously unknown couple and their young child, which helps them survive. Accordingly, Butler indicates that it is empathy that allows for long-forgotten bonds between people, such as trust and unity. These traits enable individuals to come together and search for salvation together, which enhances their chances of surviving in a violent world. One might remember the case where Lauren knows she is destined to experience pain but still saves a child (Gartner 7). The girl shot the dog even though she knew she would hurt it and feel it herself, but the little child’s life was more important than her own feelings. This demonstrates that empathy not only builds trust but can also potentially change lives.
It should also be mentioned that the novel portrays characters who are completely devoid of empathy. During the development of the plot, it becomes clear that they are alone all the time and therefore in increased danger. In this way, the novel’s author attempts to demonstrate the contrast between those who try to think only about themselves and their well-being and Lauren, who strives to help others (Gartner 8). As a consequence, it becomes clear that only the coming together of individuals and the ability to feel each other’s pain actually makes them real people. Butler emphasizes that only empathy can change individuals for the better, which will enable everyone to fight negative thoughts and attitudes (Gartner 8). At the same time, the author believes that if people radiate positive emotions and project them onto others, they are more likely to find solutions to their problems. Thus, Lauren’s capacity to help others extends to others, especially when Natividad feels empathy for another person’s child and wants to calm him/her awake.
It is significant to observe that she displays these emotions through the example of Loren, who has demonstrated that sensitivity and kindness can save human lives. Accordingly, the theme of empathy is one of the central issues in the novel, forcing the characters to consider that they have a better chance of survival if they help each other (Gartner 9). Hence, the struggle for survival becomes much more effective when people can sympathize and assist. This permits them to gain new faith and end the conflict they provoke. Hyper empathy became a burden for Lauren, but she was able to use it for the good of the whole community.
Compassion
It should also be noted that a significant emphasis in the novel is also placed on the feeling of compassion. For example, Lauren often reflects on the terrible suffering she and her acquaintances endure to survive (Butler 63). At the same time, the girl recalls and analyzes the Bible, especially the fate of the righteous man whose name was Job. Lauren draws the right conclusions when she realizes that he who is suffering does not blame God. Accordingly, she understands that one is punished according to one’s actions but that one can influence one not to deserve to suffer and live life with dignity. Furthermore, an interesting example of Lauren’s finding compassion is when she sympathizes with her stepmother when she witnesses her neighbor’s death (Johnson 600). Accordingly, compassion is a sentiment that can even bring individuals who are ironic to one another together.
Another significant point about compassion in the novel is that Lauren was not only sympathetic, but it encouraged her to take active action. The author demonstrated this through the example of Richard Moss’s wives, who were forbidden to participate in the life of society (Johnson 600). Accordingly, the girl does not just believe that women have the same rights as men but also creates community and shares her thoughts and knowledge with others. Moreover, Lauren reflects on the concept of conscience, how much they are present in society, and how they affect compassion towards other human beings. The girl concludes that an excess of conscience and compassion enables her to help other people (Johnson 603). Accordingly, Lauren believes that when everyone can feel each other’s pain as their own, they will be capable of ending conflicts. Thus, the theme of compassion is active throughout the novel and gradually encourages society to regain its sense of conscience and morality. Lauren plays a significant role in this challenging process, bringing people together and demonstrating that empathy and compassion are essential attributes of a calm and peaceful existence.
Conclusion
Hence, in Octavia Butler’s novel, the protagonist suffers from an illness known as hyper empathy, but it is this that enables her to find the key to solving society’s problems. The themes of empathy and compassion are actively developed throughout the novel; at first, Lauren realizes that the world is cruel and she must learn to live in it. At the same time, because the girl could feel and appreciate the feelings of all people, she understood that they all suffer from pain. Accordingly, they try to survive in a cruel world by hurting others. If humans could feel the pain of another, they would attempt to deal with problematic issues differently. Specifically, Lauren exemplifies healthy empathy and compassion, which enables them to experience new ways of surviving. As a consequence, people begin to recognize that it is only through empathy and compassion that they can save their own lives.
Works Cited
Akers, Allison. “Divinity and its Imitation in the Utopian Visions of Death Note and Parable of the Sower.” Digital Literature Review, vol. 6, 2019, pp.105-118.
Butler, Octavia. Parable of the Sower. Open Road Media, 2012.
Gartner, Lindsey. “Intersectionality and Empathy in Afrofuturist Feminist Dystopian Narratives: Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower and Nalo Hopkinson’s Brown Girl in the Ring.” MacEwan University Student eJournal, vol. 5, no.1, 2021, pp. 1-9.
Johnson, Ikea. “On Compassion and the Sublime Black Body: Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower.” Journal of Comparative Literature and Aesthetics, vol. 43, no. 2, 2020, pp. 599–605.