| dc.description.abstract | Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents have been subject to much attention in recent years. Her prophetic vision of the 2020s America has accumulated considerable interest towards her, her novels and her seemingly unerring foresight. In the course of this increased interest, there seems to be an absence of a more extensive analysis of the Parable series and modern-day America. Despite the term ‘prophet’ emerging ever so often, no one has put Octavia Butler’s prophecies ‘to the test’. Consequently, this thesis is a contribution to the massive attention Butler has received in the past few years, as we have moved closer towards the future she imagined.
Parable of the Sower is set from 2024-2027 and portrays a United States characterised by environmental and social downfall. Parable of the Talents mostly takes place in the 2030s and primarily confronts challenges relating to politics and religion. This thesis is devoted to comparing the events of the Parable novels and the current state of America. Through chosen examples from both of the Parables, the text illustrates and discusses how successful Butler has been at predicting the future. Additionally, it addresses the related issue of temporal situatedness of reading, as one novel is set approximately in the present moment, while the other is set a decade ahead of time. | |