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huangtimJust a look at the name of the series of books that Dawn is a part of invokes many questions. Xenogenesis. The production of offspring completely unlike either parent. How is this possible? From a physiological standpoint? If the basic purpose of sexual reproduction is to ensure the survival of a species, what is the purpose of xenogenesis?
Just from reading a little bit about Octavia E. Butler, a few background essays about Dawn, as well as the first few chapters, I can see why Butler is so well-known for her fiction; it contains many themes of African-American history and the struggle of slavery and racism. Lilith is captured by beings that she has never seen before, which is similar to the plight of newly arrived slaves. She is separated from her family because they have died; slaves were often separated from their family purposely. Lilith cannot access the culture she is familiar with, and cannot reproduce, except for with her captors; slaves were often subject to the sexual advances of their masters, and first generation African American slaves were obviously separated from the lands they were familiar with.
Lilith’s plight is reminiscent again of Spiller’s essay that we read last week. Her family structure has been compromised, and the social structure around her is now in the hands of her captors. She is being persuaded to reproduce for a specific purpose, which is also what Spiller’s writes about. I am interested in seeing what other parallels will appear as I read more of this novel.
Just from reading a little bit about Octavia E. Butler, a few background essays about Dawn, as well as the first few chapters, I can see why Butler is so well-known for her fiction; it contains many themes of African-American history and the struggle of slavery and racism. Lilith is captured by beings that she has never seen before, which is similar to the plight of newly arrived slaves. She is separated from her family because they have died; slaves were often separated from their family purposely. Lilith cannot access the culture she is familiar with, and cannot reproduce, except for with her captors; slaves were often subject to the sexual advances of their masters, and first generation African American slaves were obviously separated from the lands they were familiar with.
Lilith’s plight is reminiscent again of Spiller’s essay that we read last week. Her family structure has been compromised, and the social structure around her is now in the hands of her captors. She is being persuaded to reproduce for a specific purpose, which is also what Spiller’s writes about. I am interested in seeing what other parallels will appear as I read more of this novel.
