Author Archives: Brendan Leung

Annotated Bibliography

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Annotated Bibliography

This article aims to observe the principles of Earthseed to show that Earthseed addresses change as a principal way of life, embraces differences, and attempts to create a sustainable method of survival through connections. Using this article will help me show how Earthseed differs from the walled community of Robledo, which utilizes traditional ways and is, therefore, resistant to change. 

This article gives a brief overview of Lauren’s hyperempathy by discussing how hyperempathy, with a framework of mutuality and equality, provides a new way of thinking about subjectivity. Through the article’s discussion, I will be able to show how Lauren’s hyperempathy lets her connect with other people. This would lead to my discussion about mutual aid and Earthseed’s embracing of differences.

  • Clausen, Daniel D. “Cli-Fi Georgic and Grassroots Mutual Aid in Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower.” Western American Literature, 2021, pp. 269–286, https://doi.org/10.1353/wal.2021.0040 **Earthseed foundation, mutual aid**

In his article, Clausen argues that Butler’s Parable of the Sower is a “critical dystopia representing interracial community, depicting empowered Black motherhood and disability, and even proposing an alternative ‘solarpunk’ religious ideology” (Clausen). This article will help me further analyze mutual aid through Lauren’s hyperempathy. I will, therefore, be able to show how Lauren creates Earthseed based on mutual aid. 

  • Dubey, Madhu. “Folk and Urban Communities in African-American Women’s Fiction: Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower.”, John Hopkins University Press, 1999, pp. 103-128, https://muse.jhu.edu/article/439633/pdf   **Earthseed, Robledo**

In their article, Dubey provides an overview of the different communities/models of organization in Butler’s Parable of the Sower. The article sets its focus mainly on Robledo and Earthseed, as well as touching upon Olivar. This article will help me observe how Lauren’s Earthseed differs from these communities.

The article aims to consider the role of the human body and its relation to defined spaces by exploring the different behaviors of people based on where they are. This is done through the observation of Robledo and the Paints (“ro” addicts), as well as other organizations/communities. The article will help me identify more differences between Earthseed and other communities in Butler’s Parable of the Sower.

The article discusses the religious and political aspects of Butler’s Parable of the Sower through its discussion of Christianity and the Amendments. To do so, Milanese discusses Robledo’s ideals which differ from Earthseed’s ideals since Robledo’s residents believe that the past will help them survive. Because of this, Robledo’s residents are reluctant to adapt to the unpredictable conditions that surround them. But, through Earthseed, Lauren sees that change is inevitable and is necessary for survival. In addition, this article discusses Olivar’s privatization through KSF. Overall, this article will help me observe the religious ways of Robledo and further my discussion about the outside (area(s) outside of Robledo).

  • Miller, Jim. “Post-Apocalyptic Hoping: Octavia Butler’s Dystopian/Utopian Vision.” Science Fiction Studies, 1998, pp. 336–60, http://www.jstor.org/stable/4240705 **Touches upon the pyromaniacs, Earthseed, touches upon Olivar**

In his article, Miller discusses the ideas of utopia and dystopia by observing the communities/organizations of Olivar, the hordes of Pyros, and Earthseed. Miller provides information about the behavior of the Pyros, Earthseed’s ideals/values, and Olivar’s manipulation of its workers. Miller’s discussion, therefore, will provide more insight about the different communities/organizations in Butler’s Parable of the Sower, which will allow me to further explain the differences between them. 

This article highlights the features of Robledo, Olivar, and Earthseed. Newbie points out the hierarchal-like system in Robledo through its walls since it divides Robledo’s residents from the poor since they’re “dangerous.” He also explains that Olivar, by some people, is seen as a “break” from the unsustainable life in Robledo. Newbie interestingly points out the utopian aspects of Olivar while also observing the dystopian aspects of it. In regards to Earthseed, Newbie discusses Earthseed’s development into a utopian coterie. With this information, I will be able to highlight more differences between Earthseed and other communities by observing how individuals are treated in each community/organization.

Simple Bibliography

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Research Question:

How do Lauren’s hyperempathy and Earthseed explore themes of community? Specifically, how does Lauren’s hyperempathy help her form a community based on shared values and mutual aid? How does Lauren’s democratic pluralism through Earthseed differ from other modes of organization in the novel such as Reverend Olamina’s model in Robledo before the disaster (Robeldo’s destruction), the hordes of pyro addicts, and Olivar?

Research Process:

  1. Identify Keywords: hyperempathy, Earthseed, Mutual Aid, Pyro addicts/Paints/”Ro” Addicts, Anarchy, Community, Robledo, Olivar
  2. Before researching using specific keywords such as Robledo and Olivar, I first did a more general search about communities in Parable of the Sower. By doing this, I was able to see how different writers refer to different organizations. For example, when I read some sources, I noted that the pyro addicts are referred to as “paints” because of their painted faces. This allowed me to find more sources about the Pyro addicts since I was able to identify another keyword to use. Also, I found that the pyro addicts could be associated with the word “anarchy” since there are no laws to follow outside of the walled community. Overall, doing a more general search, helped me find more sources easier since it allowed me to find more keywords to use while researching.

**Most of my research was done with Google Scholar. I sorted the sources by date (2013-2023)**

Sources:

**I still plan on looking for more potential sources by looking for more keywords I can use. I am aiming to have at least 8 sources**

A Tragic, Comic, or Ironic Ending?

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After reading the ending of Ghosh’s The Hungry Tide, I thought that perhaps, even though there was a tragic aspect, there was also a feeling of satisfaction and resolution. Although Fokir does die, the reader finds a sense of resolution within Fokir’s last moments during the storm. In addition, the reader gets a feeling of satisfaction through Piya’s project. 

During the cyclone that hits Garjontola and Lusibari, Fokir displays knowledge regarding what to do to be safe. He can keep himself and Piya safe for a while during the cyclone. At one point, the reader sees a moment where Fokir is sitting behind Piya with “his fingers knotted around her stomach. His face rested on the back of her neck and she could feel his stubble on her skin…Everywhere their bodies met, their skin was joined by a thin membrane of sweat” (Ghosh 315). After reading these lines, the reader can get the idea that Fokir and Piya appear to be romantically coming together. Just picturing this scene could be enough to show that Fokir and Piya are affiliated. However, when the eye of the storm approaches them, Piya realizes that there isn’t anything protecting her from the flying debris. This is when Fokir becomes Piya’s shield. He uses his body to protect Piya from the debris, and, as described in the novel, “Their bodies were so close, so finely merged, that she could feel the impact of everything hitting him, she could sense the blows raining down on his back. She could feel the bones of his cheeks as if they had been superimposed on her own; it was as if the storm had given them what life could not; it had fused them together and made them one” (Ghosh 321). At this point, I believe that it is reasonable to say that Fokir and Piya are romantically affiliated. Although Fokir does end up dying after being hit by a big and heavy stump, the reader can find a sense of resolution since now, it can be said that Fokir and Piya have become a couple of some sort. As Piya explains, “She remembered how she had tried to find the words to remind him of how richly he was loved — and once again, as so often before, he had seemed to understand her, even without words” (Ghosh 324). From these lines, we can see that Fokir and Piya have always had a deep connection with each other, and this connection will continue to be seen in Lusibari’s future.

A month after the cyclone hit, the reader finds out that Piya has created a plan for a project to conduct research regarding the dolphins in Lusibari. It is with this project that we can see the connection between Fokir and Piya displayed since Piya decides to name her project after Fokir. As Piya explains, she has a “hand-held monitor…[which] is connected to the satellites of the Global Positioning System. On the day of the storm it was in my pocket. It was the only piece of equipment that survived…All the routes that Fokir showed me are stored here” (Ghosh 328). These routes that are stored on the monitor show every area where Fokir has seen a dolphin, which Piya says is the foundation of her project. As Nayar explains in their writing, “The ‘biodegradable’ Fokir returns as archived data” (Nayar). Although Fokir dies, he still lives in the form of this data. Piya is, therefore, able to use Fokir for her project, which is her way of remembering Fokir. Her project, as Nilima states, serves as “a memorial for Fokir” (Ghosh 328). 

Overall, I view the ending of Ghosh’s The Hungry Tide as a mix of tragedy and resolution. The reader does experience the tragedy of Fokir’s death, but the reader gets a sense of resolution and satisfaction from the moments following Fokir’s death. Fokir’s last moments with Piya imply that Piya and Fokir have become romantically affiliated with each other. This gives the reader a sense of resolution. Furthermore, through Piya’s project, the reader gets a satisfying ending since her project serves as a memorial for Fokir and shows that although Fokir dies, he still lives on.

Evolving Relationships

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After reading Ghosh’s The Hungry Tide, the reader can observe how the relationships among characters change in the novel. Some relationships in particular that stood out to me were the relationships between Piya and Kanai and Piya and Fokir. In my writing, I aim to observe how these relationships change.

During the first couple of chapters, the reader is introduced to Kanai and Piya, who initially don’t seem romantically affiliated. But, from the alternating perspectives of the chapters, we can tell that Piya and Kanai are among the most important characters in the novel, which could suggest that they are, in some way, destined to be together as a couple. When they first meet, it seems almost impossible for Kanai and Piya to have feelings for each other. When Piya spills some tea on Kanai, she states that he “was the last person she would have chosen to scald with her tea” (Ghosh 8). In addition, when Piya apologizes to Kanai, Kanai says, “ ‘Do I really have a choice?’ he said in a tone more challenging than ironic. “Does anyone have a choice when they’re dealing with Americans these days?’ ” (Ghosh 9). From these quotes, the reader gets the intention that Piya and Kanai don’t appear to like each other at all. Based on what Piya says, she wanted to avoid interacting with Kanai. And Kanai appears to be looking down on Piya because she’s American. Surprisingly, after talking for some time Kanai invites Piya to visit Lusibari:

“ ‘Lucy’s House?’ Piya looked up in surprise. ‘As in the name Lucy?’/‘Yes.’ A gleam came into [Kanai’s] eyes and he said, ‘You should come and visit the lace. I’ll tell you the story of how it got its name.’/‘Is that an invitation?’ Piya said, smiling./‘Absolutely,’ Kanai responded. ‘Come. I’m inviting you. Your company will lighten the burden of my exile.’ ” (Ghosh 12).

 

This interaction shows that Kanai and Piya appear to be falling for each other. After this interaction, Piya even explains that she initially thought Kanai was too full of himself, but now she feels inclined to be more generous. At this point, Piya “caught sight of a glimmer of irony somewhere that made [Kanai’s] self-centeredness appear a little more interesting than she had first imagined” (Ghosh 12). Later on, when Piya and Kanai meet again in Lusibari, the reader again sees that Kanai and Piya may have feelings for each other. When Piya initially sees Moyna, Fokir’s husband, she states that she “felt a twinge of envy at the thought of her going back to Fokir and Tutul while she returned to the absence upstairs” (Ghosh 163). In addition, while Piya tells Kanai about Fokir, specifically when she talks about her working with Fokir, Kanai experiences a “stab of envy” (Ghosh 221). The envy that Piya and Kanai imply that they may indeed have feelings for each other. 

On the other hand, during Piya’s journey to get to Lusibari, Piya meets Fokir. During this journey, Piya and Fokir form a relationship where they both seem to work well together. As Piya explains, “She had thought they midnight end up disrupting each other’s work–that her soundings would get in the way of his fishing or the other way around. But to her surprise no such difficulties arose…it had proved possible for two such different people to pursue their own ends simultaneously–people who could not exchange a word with each other and had no idea of what was going on in one another’s heads…[even Fokir appeared] amazed by the seamless intertwining of their pleasures and purposes” (Ghosh 118). From this quote, the reader can see that Piya acknowledges how well Fokir and her work together. Moreover, we can see that Piya admires Fokir’s abilities. Piya and Fokir appear to have a lot in common because, as Piya explains, in nature “for a long time nothing happens, then there’s a bust of explosive activity and it’s over in seconds. Very few people can adapt themselves to that kind of rhythm–one in a million, I’d say. That’s why it was so amazing to come across someone like Fokir” (Ghosh 221). Additionally, Piya states she has never met anyone with the instinct of being able to watch the water without being aware of it until she met Fokir. So far, the reader can that Piya and Fokir have a strong connection and at this moment, perhaps Piya has started to develop a liking for Fokir. This all changes when Piya, along with Fokir and Kanai, encounters a group of people killing a tiger. Kanai tells Piya that they should go back to the Megha, but Piya wants to do something about the killing since she believes that isn’t right to take revenge on an animal. Piya then tells Kanai, “If you’re not going to do anything about this, then I will. And Fokir will–I know he will” (Ghosh 242). Piya strongly believes that Fokir will do the same as she does. After all, they appear to show a strong connection with each other. When Piya takes a spear from a man and breaks it into two, the man and others start shouting at her. She then feels a hand on her elbow and finds out that it is Fokir. At this moment, “[Piya’s] heart lifted and she was assailed by both hope and a sense of relief: she was certain he would know what to do, that he would find a way to put a stop to what was going on” (Ghosh 243). To her surprise, Fokir ends up carrying her back to the boat. After this incident, Piya realizes that she and Fokir have nothing in common. Although she knew Fokir grew up killing animals, “[Piya] thought somehow he’d be different” (Ghosh 245).