EDIT For notes+Parable of the Sower

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Parable of the Sower Chapter 19: Evolution and Change

Throughout the book The Parable of the Sower, many different ideas are shared by the Earthseed group. The leader of the group Lauren is what the book calls a “sharer.” She has a syndrome called hyperempathy. This means that she feels what other people feel. This is both an asset and a disadvantage for her throughout the book. The world in which the group Earthseed lives is full of corruption and pain. The group is made up of believers of a higher calling and they set out on a quest to change the world in which they live. The overall idea in their faith is change. They believe that by taking a positive ownership of change, that they will be able to make the world a better place.

In the verse in chapter 19, again there is a central point about change. They also integrate their belief that space travel allows for an escape from their world which is falling apart. They believe that it is important to have this destiny as something to believe in for the future. In the verse, the central object is the life of a galaxy. Throughout the verse the life of a galaxy is explained. I believe that they are relating this to their idea of life on Earth. They believe that, like a star, life first ignites. Then during its life it burns. Then it begins to age. Finally it cools and disappears. This can also be related to the idea of life on Earth. People are first born initially igniting their life. During their childhood and bulk of their life they burn. As they get older they begin to age. As they near the end of their life they begin to cool until they pass away. This metaphor is very effective in explaining the timeline of life.

Following this verse, the word Evolving is present. I believe that the Earthseed group understands that the world around them is constantly evolving or changing. This idea is integral in understanding their belief system. Understanding that nothing in life is a static event is important if you really want to evoke change in the world around you.

I believe that this verse in particular is the most important verse of the entire parable. There are many different meanings which can be applied to this phrase. Aside from the obvious meaning of the word evolving, which pertains to the evolving world around the Earthseed group, this word can also apply to humans in general. Throughout The Parable of the Sower it is clear to see that Lauren and her group is different from the rest of the world around them. In essence Lauren is an evolving being. Throughout history humans have evolved in order to survive their surroundings. Lauren is no different. Because she lives in a violent society, she is willing to protect herself in order to survive. This is clearly shown in chapter 19. While attempting to save Jill and Allie, Lauren and her group are attacked by several people. Although it hurts Lauren, she is able to kill her attacker in order to save herself.

Another way to look at the word evolution is to say that Lauren is a “servant of change.” This is to say that Lauren embraces change as a part of her world. She understands that change is the only way for her world to get better. She attempts to use the idea of change to preach her religion. This allows her to make this an integral part of her belief.

The idea of evolution or change is a very common idea. It is present in every part of our lives. It is clear that since she was born, Lauren’s life has gone through many changes. She has lost many people that she was close to. As a leader Lauren was unable to avoid change as seen in this quote, “even though change is difficult, leaders can't avoid it.” (Fearless Change)

In chapter 19, Earthseed encounters a very important event. An earthquake occurred, trapping two women beneath the ruins of a house. Lauren and her Earthseed members went in to the house to save the women knowing that their actions could put them at risk for an attack. In this situation Lauren is putting herself in danger in the hope that they would be able to make a difference in the world by saving the two women. When the group comes out of the house they are attacked by people who are intent on taking their possessions. Laruen in self defense is able to overcome her hyperempathy syndrome in order to defend herself and her group. She kills the man who attacked her even though she feels intense pain throughout the situation. ”I fell against him, I dragged him down with me. Somehow I managed to get my knife out. I flicked it open. I jabbed it upward into my attacker’s body. The six inch blade went in to the hilt. Then, in empathic agony, I jerked it out again.” (Butler 234)