The Interrelation between Science Fiction and Ecofeminism in Post Modern African-American literature A case Study: Octavia Estelle Bulter's Parable of the Sower

Abstract

This paper examines Octavia Estelle Butler’s Parable of the Sower and the way her own life experience influenced her writings. Butler’s originality in using the black feminist science fiction techniques along with ecofeminism makes her novel different from other works by other writers. She is the pioneer of contemporary African American science fiction. She doesn’t rely on science fiction merely but artistically mixes other literary theories together to produce very exciting stories. She writes about supernatural women who cross time and space, and she tackles issues of slavery, racism, and rape. Octavia Butler in Parable of the Sower uses her characters to expose the social and environmental problems and provide a solution to these problems through the protagonist’s creation of a new Earthseed religion based on change. Despite her psychological disorder, Lauren –the protagonist- is a rebuilder for her society through her earthseed. Earthseed accepts diversities and seeds hope. We attempted to analyze the book from the different literary theories found in it. Science fiction and ecofeminism are our major concern in our study. We have exposed both theories before analyzing them in the text.