I think it’s interesting that Parable of the Sower chose to end on a verse from the Bible, when Lauren’s Earthseed is so prominent in the rest of the book. I mean, Lauren’s father is a minister, her family is steeped in Babtist origin, and Lauren admits that she has a hard time believing the standard Christian religion. Her Earthseed versus defy an omnipotent all powerful One God by calling “Change” her God. At the end of the book, Lauren and her group make Bankole’s land “Acorn”. They are starting a new community, and the group of people were referred to at some point in the book as “[lauren’s] congregation” by Bankole. After they decide to stay, call it Acorn, bury their dead, and plan out shelters and gardens. So why not an Earthseed verse that encompasses it all? Why pick a verse from the Bible, Luke?
I think it’s an interesting juxtaposition to forsake Earthseed verse as the last line, as the summary, and revert back to a Biblical verse. No doubt the verse does the summary of the novel justice, is it because Lauren couldn’t think of anything better to write as Earthseed? Or is it a memorial for her father, or her origin? A sort of respect for the history of her spiritual learning, that inspired her to create Earthseed?
I couldn’t be sure if this was a weird inconsistency or some deeper parallel that I’m missing the logic to? Any thoughts?
-Laura Kelly