Annotated Bibliography

• Achachelooei, Elham Mohammadi, et al.“ The Past and ‘Discontinuity in Religion’ in Octavia Butler’s Parables: A Feminist Theological Perspective”, Journal of Language, Literature, and Culture, pp. 120-137, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/20512856.2021.1935492?needAccess=true 

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. 

• Blazan, Sladja. “ ‘Something Beyond Pain’: Race, Gender, and Hyperempathy in Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower.” Gender Forum, 2022, pp. 34-52, http://genderforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Final_Complete-_Issue82.pdf#page=37  **hyperempathy**

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.

• James, Lisa. “ ‘To shape God, Shape Self’: The Political Manipulation of the Human Body and Reclamation of Space in Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower.” Malmö University, 2018, pp. 1-39, https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1483641/FULLTEXT01.pdf **Reverend Olamina, Paints, Robledo**

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.

• Milanese, Elena. “ ‘Home as it was or home as it should have been’: Constitutional Rights in Butler’s not so Fictional World.” Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia, 28 October 2019, pp. 1-88, http://dspace.unive.it/bitstream/handle/10579/15851/854274-1230211.pdf?sequence=2 **Touches upon Robledo’s religious ways, Olivar (privatization)**

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. 

• Newbie, Billie Rose. “The Ever-Present Dystopia, the Non-Present Utopia, and the Thirdspace: The Role of Contrasting Coteries in 20th-Century Dystopian Literature and Parable of the Sower.” Scholar Works, 23 April 2021, pp. 1-24, https://scholarworks.umf.maine.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1011&context=honors_theses **Olivar, Earthseed**

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.

1. Lanteigne, Betty. “Regionally Specific Tasks of Non-Western English Language Use.” TESL-EJ 10.2 (2006): n2. 

This piece goes over how language is used specifically in non western countries(that being not Europe and North America. It goes deeper by analyzing the environment in which language is used, especially when english does not fit the parameters of that environment.

1. Adick, Christel. “Modern education in ‘non-Western’societies in the light of the world systems approach in comparative education.” International review of education 38 (1992): 241-255.

Here Christel goes over an issue that is not commonly spoken about. Due to factors such as colonization, how have those factors affected education in non western countries. Those effects being both good and bad tend to shape how people think within those countries and even the culture.

1. Merriam, Sharan B., and Young Sek Kim. “Non-Western perspectives on learning and knowing.” The Jossey-Bass reader on contemporary issues in adult education (2011): 378-389.

Interestingly, this work takes a different approach from the others. Instead of it talking on how western education standards affect non western countries, it asks what can western countries learn from non western ones. It also talks on how culture influences education, western being individualistic and capitalist oriented while nonwestern is more communal and for the people.

1. Kachru, Yamuna. “Applied Linguistics and Foreign Language Teaching: A Non-Western Perspective.” (1985).

Another interesting document. This work is from the perspective of a language teacher not from an english speaking country. She analyzes language acquisition in students as a non english speaker and how they develop the ability to speak a foreign language

Rong, Mingcan. “Climate Fiction:A Promising Way of Communicating Climate Change with the General Public.” Studies in Social & Humanities, Vol. 2 No.2(2023)https://www.paradigmpress.org/SSSH/article/view/432

• This text is broken down into parts but I will only be focusing on the Cli-fi portion of it to get a better explanation of what the genre as a whole is focused on. Ron talks about the emergence of Cli-fi in 2010 and how it is used as a communication tool to provide more information about what is actually happening as a “‘precautionary measures to anticipate, precent, or minimize the causes of climate change’” it helps show the word what is actually happening in the world around us that not everyone is paying attention to.

Baeza, Francisco, “SLOW VIOLENCE, CLI-FI, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHANGE HOW BIPOC FUTURISMS PROMOTE ACTIVISM” (2022). Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations. 1434.

SLOW VIOLENCE, CLI-FI, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHANGE HOW BIPOC FUTURISMS PROMOTE ACTIVISM

The threat of anthropogenic climate change is discussed almost exclusively in terms of “scientific” data to the exclusion of the humanities. For some worlds, climate change has already destroyed their ways of life and forced them to adapt.

• People are quick on dismissing the power of literature and how it can change a persons perception of the world. The author goes in depth of slow violence talking about how the magic of it is that no one can really see the effect it causes. He brings up how novels like Parable of the Sower, The Marrow Thieves, and parts of The Vanished Birds imagines a setting similar to ours in ruins pulling the reader to thing that Climate Change  is something that truly is happening right here and right now. But he speaks on Butlers influence of writing the novel and how it takes place so far in the future trying to predict the world coming to an end.

Estock, C. Simon. “Cli-fi and the Future of the Novel: Building on Helena Feder’s “Ecocriticism and Biology” Special Issue” John Hopkins University Press Vol. 31, Number 4, Fall 2023, p. 317-329. Project MUSE, https://doi.org/10.1353/con.2023.a912112.

• Estock speaks on how the climate and environmental issues have gotten worse since Helen Feder’s Special issue. Since it is all getting worse  more questions are starting to rise of urgency of presenting scientific data in literary narratives which will impact literary genres. He raises the question “Who wants to read about the little things? Who would read about the nematode Potoroxyuris keninupensis or eukaryal aeroplankton when tigers and elephants are so much more relatable?” Saying that aspects like this is a challenge that the genre of Cli-fi as a whole faces. Estock explains how Ghosh manages to make this narrative driven story but also maintains how science is the focal point of the story  and it helps build a better understanding of the world. He acknowledges how “Ghosh not only presents local knowledge but also shows both its dialogue and its conflict with the more scientific explanations of things.” even going and explaining how people cross the line on certain things causing a metaphorical storm.

Butler, Octavia. “Parable of the Sower” Grand Central Publishing, 1993.

• A world in ruin after the effects of climate change causing the plants to dry up and the people to go crazy. The main character Lauren loses all of her family in her town of Robledo California. After that she and two of her friends Harry and Zahra set out on an adventure across North America. As more members join their group the more Lauren spreads her ideology of Earthed a religion she created.

Ghosh, Amitav. “The Hungry Tide” A Mariner Book Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2004.

• Two characters Kanai and Piya meet on a train and meet up again in some unforeseen circumstances. They venture out to see to help Piya find these special species of dolphins. Coming across these deadly moments especially Piya coming into the crosshair of village people for defending a tiger from being killed as she wants all life to be protected. which Kanais uncle took part in Ghandi’s protest to protect animals.

De Capitani, Lucio. “Exploring the Ethnographic Encounter.” Il Tolomeo (Online), vol. 18, no. 1, 2016, https://doi.org/10.14277/2499-5975/Tol-18.

Lucio De Capitani’s article explores Amitav Ghosh’s 2004 novel “The Hungry Tide,” suggesting an amalgamation of anthropology with world literature. De Capitani argues that world literature, approached through various perspectives, thrives on overlapping projects. He maps John Comaroff’s anthropological epistemic operations onto the novel, introducing the concept of the ethnographic novel. Ghosh’s work is seen as a departure point for world literature, illustrating ethnographic encounters and connecting Ghosh with writers employing similar techniques. This article broadens the understanding of world literature’s overlap with anthropology.

De Capitani’s article offers a unique perspective on Amitav Ghosh’s “The Hungry Tide,” connecting anthropology with world literature. The introduction of the ethnographic novel concept and mapping Comaroff’s operations enriches the discussion. De Capitani’s exploration of ethnographic encounters and connections with other writers provides a valuable resource for scholars interested in world literature, anthropology, and literary methodologies. I can use his essay to explore how the novel engages with post-colonial themes. As the article focuses on egocentric and post-colonial narratives, I think it provides useful information that lends to the goal of understanding post-colonial knowing and existence.

Giles, Jana. (2014). Can the Sublime Be Postcolonial? Aesthetics, Politics, and Environment in Amitav Ghosh’s The Hungry Tide. Cambridge Journal of Postcolonial Literary Inquiry, 1(2), 223-242. doi:10.1017/pli.2014.18.

Jana Giles explores Amitav Ghosh’s “The Hungry Tide,” delving into postcolonial ‘sublime’, aesthetics, politics, and environmental themes. Ghosh’s narrative, set in the Sundarban mangrove forest, navigates colonial legacies and the 1979 Morichjhapi massacre. Giles argues for the novel’s contribution to the postcolonial sublime, emphasizing ecocentric engagement and the challenges to postcolonial state and cosmopolitanism. The essay highlights the active agency of the subaltern, intertwining legends, myths, and history to prompt a vision of a sustainable future.

Jana Giles’ exploration of Amitav Ghosh’s “The Hungry Tide” provides a comprehensive analysis of the novel’s engagement with postcolonial sublime, aesthetics, and environmental themes. The emphasis on ecocentric narratives and the active agency of the subaltern adds depth to the understanding of Ghosh’s work. This source is valuable for scholars interested in postcolonial literature, environmental ethics, and the intricate intersections of aesthetics, politics, and environmentalism. 

Jones, Brandon. “A Postcolonial Utopia for the Anthropocene: Amitav Ghosh’s The Hungry Tide and Climate-Induced Migration.” Modern Fiction Studies, vol. 64, no. 4, 2018, pp. 639–58, https://doi.org/10.1353/mfs.2018.0047.

Brandon Jones explores Amitav Ghosh’s “The Hungry Tide” within the context of postcolonial ecocriticism and climate-induced migration. Addressing the novel’s utopian elements, Jones discusses the Sundarbans region’s threat from climate change. The essay broadens the discourse on Anthropocene fiction, advocating for a form-based approach rather than genre-specific categorization. Jones highlights the novel’s representation of transcultural conflicts, biodiversity loss, and social injustice within a planetary crisis of agency over an extended temporal perspective.

Brandon Jones’ essay provides an examination of Amitav Ghosh’s “The Hungry Tide” in the context of postcolonial ecocriticism and climate-induced migration. The focus on utopian approaches and the wider consideration of Anthropocene fiction contributes to a nuanced understanding of Ghosh’s work. This source is relevant for scholars interested in climate change literature, postcolonial ecocriticism, and the evolving discourse on the Anthropocene.

White, Laura A. “Novel Vision: Seeing the Sunderbans through Amitav Ghosh’s ‘The Hungry Tide.’” Interdisciplinary Studies in Literature and Environment, vol. 20, no. 3, 2013, pp. 513–31, https://doi.org/10.1093/isle/ist051.

“The Sunderbans Unveiled: Alternative Ways of Knowing in Amitav Ghosh’s The Hungry Tide”

Laura White’s essay delves into Amitav Ghosh’s “The Hungry Tide,” examining the author’s motive in bringing attention to the Sunderbans. Critiquing dominant visual practices, Ghosh advocates for alternative ways of knowing, challenging the novel to play a transformative role in shaping understanding. White incorporates Walter Mignolo’s concept of epistemic disobedience, suggesting that the novel disrupts colonial visions and embraces nonvisual ways of knowing.

Laura White’s essay provides a nuanced exploration of Amitav Ghosh’s motivations in “The Hungry Tide,” challenging prevailing visual practices and advocating for alternative ways of knowing. The incorporation of Walter Mignolo’s concept adds depth to the discussion, making this source valuable for scholars interested in postcolonial ecocriticism and the intersection of local and global knowledge in literature. White’s work gives emphasis on nonvisual / non-imperial / alternative ways of understanding that break away from colonial convention, which will be useful to me when breaking down the different perspectives on Fokir and Kana in a post-colonial narrative. 

Sukanya Mondal, and Rashmi Gaur. “In Whose Voice Should a Subaltern Speak?: Reading the Problem of Agency in Amitav Ghosh’s The Hungry Tide.” Transnational Literature, vol. 9, no. 1, 2016.

“In Whose Voice Should a Subaltern Speak? Reading the Problem of Agency in Amitav Ghosh’s The Hungry Tide”

Sukanya Mondal and Rashmi Gaur’s essay explores the representation of subaltern voices in Amitav Ghosh’s novel “The Hungry Tide.” It contends that the subaltern voice, when discernible, is entangled within the complex interplay of state, civil society, and neoliberal capitalism. Sukanya Mondal and Rashmi Gaur’s essay critically engage with the subaltern voice, aligning directly with my research statement’s focus on Fokir’s representation. Their exploration of power structures and corporate influence contributes to understanding the broader theme of postcolonial knowing and existence. This source sheds light on how voices like Fokir’s navigate and persist beyond colonial narratives. It highlights the multifaceted nature of power dynamics, involving state as well as non-state actors. The discussion on the influence of NGOs and corporate sectors aligns with Hardt and Negri’s perspectives, providing a new lens for understanding the challenges faced by marginalized voices. This source contributes to discussions on agency, power structures, and the complexities of subaltern expression.

                                       Annotated Bibliography.

Hinton, A. (2018). Making Do with What You Don’t Have: Disabled Black Motherhood in

              Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents. Journal of

               Literary & Cultural Disability Studies, 12(4), 441–457.

               https://doi.org/10.3828/jlcds.2018.35

In this article Hinton analyzes the subject of  black motherhood through the view of disability. The Author is able to Exam disability and motherhood together reveals how stereotypes of poor black motherhood have been permeated by ableism throughout history.Hinton is able to analyze how laurens experiences as a  disabled mother figure   who is constantly being  discriminated against can  devalue  Black Motherhood. Hiltons analysis of Butler’s novel will allow me to further explain the connections of hyper empathy within the novel.

Blazan, S. (2022). ‘Something beyond pain”: Race, gender, and hyperempathy in

              Octavia Butler’s  parable of the sower. Gender Forum, (82), 34. Retrieved

https://www.proquest.com/docview/2764532780accountid=27495&parentSessionId=Ipm49GXjR7YkiH3E9TFxdKEaegPAENuKfJFqJwNQ0aA%3D

        In this piece Blazan Sladja discusses how speculative fiction addresses the violence of liberal conceptions of the human under racial capitalism.In her article Blazan   is able to trace the steps taken in reimagining opinions under the guidance of relationality. Blazan is able to argue that Butler’s text is able to show us a different way in which people  can relate to one another by using empathy .Blazan’s discussion  will allow me to argue the importance of hyperempathy in peoples relations.

Wanzo, Rebecca (2005). Apocalyptic Empathy: A Parable of Postmodern

            Sentimentality. Obsidian III, 6/7 (1/2), 72-86. viewcontent.cgi 

 In this essay  Rebecca Wanzon   argues that parable the sower is a postmodern  sentimental fable that further studies  the relationship between feelings and politics.Wazon is able to revise  sentimentality’s privileging of the role of feelings in political progress.  In this essay Wazon  is able to dig deeper into the connections between Butler’s Novel  and political progress.. This essay will allow me to state the use of hyperempathy  in the noble.

Whatcott, Jess. “Crip Collectivity Beyond Neoliberalism in Octavia Butler’s Parable of

              the Sower.” Lateral, vol. 10, no. 1, 2021. JSTOR,

              https://www.jstor.org/stable/48671632. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.

Whatcott Jess  talks about the importance of  the novel Parable of the Sower  in neoliberalism .Whatcott states that In the novel Parable of the Sower Butler is able to trace these disabling contradictions  of neoliberal governance. In the text Whatcott explains how Butler is able to illustrate cripistemological critique of neoliberal governance. This text will allow me to further examine The importance of Hyper empathy as a way to contradict neoliberalism.

 Stark, Doug. “‘A More Realistic View’: Reimagining Sympoietic Practice in Octavia

              Butler’s Parables.” Extrapolation, vol. 61, no. 1-2, spring 2020, pp. 151+. Gale

             Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A624327073/AONE

              u=cuny_hunter&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=289fa979. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.

In this essay Stark  Doug  argues that Butler’s presentation of hyperempathy demonstrates that sharing experience is not a solution for human and non-human relations.  He argues that her representation of hyper empathy  is instead a restaging of the politics of identification and institutional power in another dimension.Stark explains how Butler is able to show the violence  that follows the  people who are different by showing how sharers are exploited in the noble. Stark’s  essay   provides a great amount of information  on hyperempathy and the way it is used in Parable of the sower to represent the maltreatment of different kinds of people.