Analysis of Octavia E Butler's Parable of the Sower
Topic Option Number Four:
Prodigy is, at its essence, adaptability and persistent positive obsession.
Without persistence, what remains is an enthusiasm of the moment.
Without adaptability, what remains may be channeled into destructive fanaticism.
Without positive obsession, there is nothing at all. (Butler, 1)
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Webster defines a prodigy as a “young person who is unusually talented in some way.” (“Prodigy”). Octavia E. Butler’s main character Laren Oya Olamina, of whom I will refer to as Lauren, was indeed a prodigy. Her unusual talent draws a remarkable resemblance to that of our modern day prodigies such as Akim Camara of Berlin or Jacob Barnett of the United States. And although not remarkable but yet evitable, if Lauren were a true living person, she along with both Camara and Barnett will all die. Be it accidental, age, or suicide, they will all die having believed in something and someone. Yet during their lifetime along with the gift(s) they were blessed with, it is inevitable that they will be faced with positive obsession, adaptability, and perhaps destructive fanaticism of their callings.
Camara is a violinist where at the age of two had an “ear for music” and made is debut at three years old playing music that he memorized (Crux). Barnett is a mathematician of whom was diagnosed with having sever autism but is now working on his PhD in quantum physics with the hopes of disproving Einstein’s Theory of Relativity (Crux). Lauren, Camara and Barnett were persistent and had a positive obsession. Lauren’s obsession was with God, getting out of their walled neighborhood, and getting off this planet. In speaking with her dad Lauren said, “Space could be our future” (Butler, 20). Her obsession to leave continued to follow her even in her psyche on a day-to-day basis. Mrs. Sims committed suicide on August 9th or 10th of 2024 and nearly ten days later Lauren still could not get it out of her head. He stated, “I can’t get Mrs. Sim’s out of my
Prodigy is, at its essence, adaptability and persistent positive obsession.
Without persistence, what remains is an enthusiasm of the moment.
Without adaptability, what remains may be channeled into destructive fanaticism.
Without positive obsession, there is nothing at all. (Butler, 1)
~
Webster defines a prodigy as a “young person who is unusually talented in some way.” (“Prodigy”). Octavia E. Butler’s main character Laren Oya Olamina, of whom I will refer to as Lauren, was indeed a prodigy. Her unusual talent draws a remarkable resemblance to that of our modern day prodigies such as Akim Camara of Berlin or Jacob Barnett of the United States. And although not remarkable but yet evitable, if Lauren were a true living person, she along with both Camara and Barnett will all die. Be it accidental, age, or suicide, they will all die having believed in something and someone. Yet during their lifetime along with the gift(s) they were blessed with, it is inevitable that they will be faced with positive obsession, adaptability, and perhaps destructive fanaticism of their callings.
Camara is a violinist where at the age of two had an “ear for music” and made is debut at three years old playing music that he memorized (Crux). Barnett is a mathematician of whom was diagnosed with having sever autism but is now working on his PhD in quantum physics with the hopes of disproving Einstein’s Theory of Relativity (Crux). Lauren, Camara and Barnett were persistent and had a positive obsession. Lauren’s obsession was with God, getting out of their walled neighborhood, and getting off this planet. In speaking with her dad Lauren said, “Space could be our future” (Butler, 20). Her obsession to leave continued to follow her even in her psyche on a day-to-day basis. Mrs. Sims committed suicide on August 9th or 10th of 2024 and nearly ten days later Lauren still could not get it out of her head. He stated, “I can’t get Mrs. Sim’s out of my
Cited: Butler, Octavia. Parable of the Sower. New York: Grand Central Publishing, 1993. Print. Crux, Merv. "10 Modern Child Prodigies." ListVerse. N.p., 09 July 2013. Web. 24 Feb 2014. . Espin, Orlando, and James Nickoloff. An Introductory Dictionary of Theology and Religious Studies. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2007. eBook. "Prodigy." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, 2013. Web. 24 February 2014.