Background Information
What is some background information on the book, "Parable of the Sower" by Octavia Butler?
Lauren is the protagonist, she is fifteen years old
It takes place in 2024 and keeps progressing into the future throughout the book.
Lauren lives in a gated community with her family
There was a global climate change which lead to lots of crimes committed and danger arising
Lauren’s father is a baptist preacher/pastor of a church
How does "The Flying machine" by Ray Bradbury connect to the theme, the fear of the unknown?
The servant tells the Emperor that there is a flying man in the sky. The Emperor is fearful of the unknown so he tries to shew the Servant off stating that they had just awakened a dream.
“‘It is early,’ said the Emperor, ‘and you have just woken from a dream.’” (Bradbury “The flying Machine” 2)
The emperor talks to the inventor of the flying machine. He tells the man that he has to kill him because he fears a man who had wrong intentions from the flying machine. The emperor has a fear of the unknown because it is unknown if there is a man with wrong intentions.
“‘But there are times,’ said the Emperor, more sadly still, ‘when one must lose a little beauty if one is to keep what little beauty one already has. I do not fear you, yourself, but I fear another man.’”
(Bradbury “The flying Machine” 6)
What is a lesson that could be taken from the story, "Parable of the Sower" by Octavia Butler, that can be applied to the world, life, other BEYOND the theme?
The future is unpredictable, worrying doesn’t change the outcome of it.
What theme can be applied to all three stories, "The Flying Machine" by Ray Bradbury, "The Wife's Story" by Ursula K. Le Guin, and, "Parable of the Sower" by Octavia Butler?
The Fear of the Unknown!
What is some background information on the short story, "The Wife's Story" by Ursula K. Le Guin?
Story is about a husband and a wife, told from the wife’s perspective
The couple had children who appear in the story
Husband was an extremely good dad/husband
They go hunting for food to survive
They are werewolves
How does "The Wife's Story" by Ursula K. Le Guin connect to the theme, the fear of the unknown?
The wife talks about her husband's weird behaviors. One of which is he’d come home smelling weird. She was worried about him because she didn’t know what was going on, therefore she had a fear of the unknown.
“But it did begin to worry me. Not so much that he went, but that he came back so tired and strange. Even, he smelled strange.”
(Le Guin “The Wife’s Story” 4)
The wife is again worried about what will become of her husband. She is very fearful because she has heard tales about him. She displays a fear of the unknown.
“It was in his father’s blood. I never knew his father, and now I wonder what become of him.”
(Le Guin “The Wife’s Story” 3)
What is a lesson that could be taken from the story, "The Wife's Story" by Ursula K. Le Guin, that can be applied to the world, life, other BEYOND the theme?
In some cases, your intuition is the strongest piece of evidence.
What does fear mean?
Fear: An unpleasant and often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger (“fear” Merriam-Webster.com)
What is some background information on the short story, "The Flying Machine" by Ray Bradbury?
It takes place in an empire with an emperor named Yuan
The time period it takes place in is 400 A.D (ancient world)
Everything is peaceful; no war; springtime
Located near the Great Wall of China
How does "Parable of the Sower" by Octavia Butler connect to the theme, the fear of the unknown?
Lauren talks about a character who wants a future that she can depend on. Lauren states that she doesn’t think a future like that exists. This shows how Lauren understands that the future is unknown. In the text she says her reasoning is because the future changes too much and too fast. The tone was displayed as reluctant almost as if she was fearful of the future, fearful of the unknown!
“She wants a future she can understand and depend on-a future that looks a lot like her parents' present. I don’t think that’s possible. Things are changing too much, too fast.” (Butler “Parable of the Sower” 128)
This quote talks about how change is inevitable. Change is always going to happen all around you. Lauren exhibits fear of the dangers outside the wall. The quote about God comforts Lauren because in a world full of fear of the unknown, change is constant. God is change. Having faith in God will eliminate these fears. Nevertheless, people still have a fear of the unknown because the future is unpredictable and that is what the quote tries to show.
“All that you touch
You change.
All that you Change
Changes you.
The only lasting truth
Is Change.
God
Is Change.” (Butler “Parable of the Sower” 1)
What is a lesson that could be taken from the story, "The Flying Machine" by Ray Bradbury, that can be applied to the world, life, other BEYOND the theme?
Sometimes your mind will try to protect you from non-existing things.
What does unknown mean?
Unknown: One that is not known or not well known (“unknown” Merriam-Webster.com)
What does the fear of the unknown mean? (Own words)
Fear of the unknown: The awareness of danger, hidden in something that is unknown.