We just started reading Parable of the Sower not too long ago, and I think that the differences between it and the other books can already be seen. I think the fact that this book is set in the sort-of-near future, as opposed to (relatively) far off like in 1984 and Brave New World, contributes to making the setting creepy and unnerving. Like the rest, there is a general apocalyptic theme that exists in this book, but it's more plain to see in this book's setting than in the others'. The communities where people live are walled off for protection against drug addicts, squatters, and other potentially dangerous people from the outside. Arsons are frequent and sporadic, as is robbing, pillaging, and other horrifying crimes. This society is much more chaotic at the level of people’s everyday lives than in the other books, where there is more of a sense of tight control over the populace.
Another aspect in which Parable of the Sower differs from other dystopias is the impact of drugs. Drugs are a huge problem in Parable of the Sower. For example, there are frequent incidents in which people burn down things due to taking drugs. Even the main character is affected by drugs - her biological mother's drug use led to her "hyperempathy" condition. In Brave New World, however, drugs are used to wild abandon - specifically soma, which does not seem to have any adverse side effects. Most, if not all, citizens use it whenever the situation calls, and the story doesn’t ever describe any adverse effects occurring directly from usage of the drug.
The last difference that I would like to point out when comparing Parable of the Sower to the other dystopias (particularly 1984 and Handmaid’s Tale) is that in Parable of the Sower, the government is not nearly as abusive or controlling to its citizens. In 1984 and Handmaid’s Tale, the governments mistreat the citizens severely and cause them to be unhappy and live in fear. In all three, the governments control every single aspect of the populace’s lives. However, Parable of the Sower has a ruling body that is more similar to the one familiar to us, and that I think makes things scarier.
What do you think? What are some other things that set our newest book apart?
I agree with you on the fact that this book is quite different than other books that we've read. As you said, the thing that really frightens the reader is the fact that the world of Parable of the Sower is a world that is not entirely unrealistic, and it may in fact become a reality in this century (not to sound too gloom or anything.) I would not say that the government of Parable of the Sower is controlling, but I do think it is abusive in the sense that it is not taking appropriate measures to stop what is happening to the country. Nice post!
ReplyDeleteI also think that the Parable of the Sower is very different from the other books we've read in this class. It has a different tone from the other books. Brave New World was very futuristic, the Handmaid's Tale seemed like it had gone back in time and it had a very creepy tone to the society, and 1984 also had a very somber tone. However, Parable of the Sower is straight up terrifying. There is absolutely no order, and you could be killed any second.
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ReplyDeleteI agree that the chaos of Parable of the Sower is part of what makes it so different from the other books we read. In the other books everything sucks, but it's meticulously controlled by the government, and the people in the society have at least some kind of knowledge of what they need to do to survive. In addition to it taking place in the nearer future, I think part of what makes it eerier is the fact that the problems plaguing society - drugs, violence, rape, crime - are ones that are very present and visible in our own society, more so than handmaids or a genetically engineered population.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Parable of the Sower has a different feel to it than most other books we've read in class so far. While other societies involve extremely controlling or oppressive governments, this one seems to lack any sort of government at all. And the fact that it is set in the near future in North America, and they're facing problems like climate change which we are also dealing with, adds an element of creepiness to it.
ReplyDeleteI also noticed the differences in governmental control between the 4 books. While many of us might have been uncomfortable with the overreaching powers of the government in the other dystopian novels we've read, the society in Parable of the Sower also shows us how undesirable having a government with few powers could be. Either of the two extremes, a government with too many powers and a government with no power, could lead to many terrible outcomes.
ReplyDeleteParable of the Sower is very different. The issues don't appear to be directly caused by the government, but the government is failing to react to them, which is a more realistic scenario (for us right now)than the government having total control and choosing to make certain people miserable. Another aspect that makes the book seem more realistic is Lauren as the narrator--she isn't fooled by anyone and knows that her situation and society are awful, whereas many of our other narrators have to be convinced that life is bad in their society.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Parable of the Sower is the scariest book we have read to date because it is not so different from our own society. As you mentioned, unlike the other books we have read where the societies seemed impossible, this book takes place in a time near ours and is plauged with issues similar to ones we face. This makes it more relatbale as we view it as somewhat possible, and therefore scary. I hope our own society's lack of understanding and care for what is possible if we continue to disregard the environment does not lead to a situation like the one in Parable.
ReplyDeleteParable of the Sower is very different than the other books and in my opinion it is the worst dystopia. At least in the other books the characters had some hope for a better future because they could rebel against the government. In Parable of the Sower however it isn't really the government's fault that society is crumbling. It's a mixture of a terrible climate, low resources, and intense poverty. There isn't much hope in Parable of the Sower because you can't really rebel against climate change.
ReplyDeleteI think something else that makes this book so scary is how similar it is to our world. In terms of climate change playing a big role in the downfall of our society as well as how the book is set 5 years from now in 2024.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Parable of the Sower is the most realistic out of all the books we've read so far. It tells a story of social and political turmoil that harms it people, a story that is common throughout many countries in the world today. The question is if this could one day be America's reality.
DeleteI think the events depicted in Parable of the Sower are the most likely to actually take place in America, which makes the book hit the hardest and makes it easiest for us to imagine ourselves within the world it depicts. It is also less dystopian and more (post-)apocalyptic in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely correct in saying that Parable of the Sower is different from all the rest of the novels. It is most certainly the most realistic. I particularly think that the aspect that it is based in a real world (1984 is sort of based in the world but the 3 superstates aren't real and I don't believe they ever will be). That helps me keep it more in perspective in relation to the rest of the novels
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