The Parable of the Sower: Crash Course Literature 406

What genre is Octavia Butler's 1993 novel Parable of the Sower?

• Poetry

• Science Fiction

• Mystery

• Nonfiction

The title of the novel comes from

• the book of Job which centers on the theme of theodicy: why do bad things happen to good people?

• a biblical parable in which Jesus teaches his followers to continuously pray and not give up, as he portrays a determined widow who brought an ungodly and unjust judge to his senses.

• a biblical parable in which Jesus tells of a farmer who sows seed indiscriminately. Some seed falls on the path (wayside) with no soil, some on rocky ground with little soil, some on soil which contains thorns, and some on good soil.

• the Good Samaritan in the Gospel of Luke which states we should help others regardless of where they came from or what they believe in.

The novel is set in 

• New York City, 2021

• Oceania, 1984

• Los Angeles, 1993

• Los Angeles, 2024

The purpose of Earthseed is to 

• build a cult.

• make money.

• prepare humanity to take root among the stars.

• survive at all costs.

​Parable of the Sower is an example of Mundane Science Fiction because 

• it is set on Earth and uses already-existing or very plausible technology.

• it is set on Earth and uses highly advance unimaginable technology.

• there is a focus on the stars and it is set in the future.

• it is the boring type of Science Fiction. 

According to Professor Philip H. Jos, practitioners of Earthseed must learn to respond to change positively by 

• finding a way to make money out of the situation.

• rejecting struggle and pursuing love and happiness at all costs.

• stressing out about struggle as a barrier to love an happiness.

• fully accepting that struggle is a companion to love and happiness.

Parable of the Sower is a unique Sci-Fi novel because, rather than promoting the dismantling of technology, the story's protagonist views technology as a tool that can help humans better connect with the world around them and unite with each other.

• True

• False

John Green says: "It's worth pausing to consider the if-this-goes-on-ness of Parable of the Sower. What forces and goals can unite and pacify us as a people?" 

In 3 - 5 sentences write your response to this question, use an example from the story or real life/historical events to support your answer.