parable of the talents (2)

belief will not save you

This is it, y’all: end of the novel, and end of the semester. Thank you so much for all your hard work in this impossible time.

What we’re reading

• Butler, Parable of the Talents (ch12 — epilogue)

Butler, Parable of the Talents

“I have not given them heaven, but I’ve helped them to give themselves the heavens. I can’t give them individual immortality, but I’ve helped them to give our species its only chance at immortality. I’ve helped them to the next stage of growth… Earthseed was always true. I’ve made it real, given it substance.”

Octavia Butler, Parable of the Talents

Aside from general questions — what did you think of this book, especially in conversation with Sower? did anything surprise you about how Earthseed grew? — I want to encourage you to reflect on three key and interlocking themes.

• Religion: using Earthseed as your model, how would you define religion?
• Family: how does Earthseed resemble (or not) other movements’ rethinking of the concept of family/relationship/connection?
• Cult: based on your reading of Butler’s novels and the rest of our work this semester, how would you define “cult?” Is the term worth saving, in your opinion? Why or why not?

Don’t forget that all work for this class is due by midnight on Tuesday, 27 April. Take care of yourselves and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about remaining assignments.