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Parable of the Sower
If There is a Will, There is a Way!
If There is a Will, There is a Way!
Everyone has heard of the common saying, if there is a will, there is a way. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the definition of the word will is as stated: "to wish for, desire, want. . . sometimes also with implication of intention."
The graphic novel adaptation of Octavia E. Butler's Parable of the Sower reveals the most compelling function of speculative narratives in our culture today-- and that is demonstrating the power of human will.
Set in the year 2024, Lauren Olamina, the protagonist of the novel lives in post-apocalyptic California. In spite of her circumstances and the hurdles thrown at her, her will to create a world that is full of hope and rooted in community powers her survival in a resource depleted locale. Lauren's pursuit of her own idealistic world proves that desire and intention drives achievement; if there is a will, there is a way to achieve.
The Power of Human Will as Presented By Speculative Narratives
The Power of Human Will as Presented By Speculative Narratives
Speculative narratives are found everywhere in varying forms of media; most the books, movies, and even music we consume on a day-to-day basis are likely speculative narratives.
According to the Oxford Research Encyclopedia, speculative narrative or fiction is "a genre distinct from and opposite to science fiction in its exclusive focus on possible futures."
After reading Octavia E. Butler's Parable of the Sower, I have reflected on some of the media I have consumed both recently and in the past, and from my favorites I selected a few to share here. Below you will find my personal favorite examples of speculative narrative and how they individually present the power of human will.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
A movie adaptation of the dystopian novel written by American author, Suzanne Collins. Released November 17, 2023.
The Maze Runner
The Maze Runner
The first installment of The Maze Runner series of dystopian sci-fi novels written by American author, James Dashner. First published in the year 2009.
Radioactive
Radioactive
A pop rock song released by American band, Imagine Dragons, in their 2012 album Night Visions.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Set in the post-war dystopian narration of North America (called Panem)— TBOSAS explores through the main character, Coriolanus Snow, the power of human will.
This story imagines an alternate version of reality, a country torn apart by war becomes reliant on a "capitol" to govern it. Divided into twelve districts of varying class levels, the capitol was on top and ruled by an appointed president.
"Snow lands on top..." a line said by Coriolanus Snow in the TBOSAS movie, implicating his own will and destiny to claim great power. In this speculative world, power is everything. In Panem, it is only natural that resulting from the implementation of a social hierarchy (the districts and the capitol), those on top are the most wealthy and possess the most power. Coriolanus Snow knew what it was like to live at the top of the social hierarchy from a young age, but this life was torn from him due to circumstances out of his control. Since then, he had been in long pursuit of the position that will grant him unlimited power— Snow was going to become president of Panem because if there is a will, there is a way.
(I would like to provide readers with a cautionary warning, as this is a newer movie, the section of text below this contains major plot spoilers)...
Because power was necessary to guarantee survival and luxuries in a world like Panem, Snow's will to gain power drove his successes, and ultimately his rise to the very top. He was top of his class in the capitol, won and cheated in the Hunger Games (complicated to explain, but a big no-no), sent to District 12 as a result of his dishonestly, intentionally sends his best friend to death, and abandons his own lover ... all to eventually rise from the very bottom and come out on the very top.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes [Trailer]
The Maze Runner
The Maze Runner
The speculative world of the Maze Runner is plagued by a disease known as the Flare; those infected with the virus turned into hostile zombie-like beings.
The protagonist of the book is Thomas, an intelligent and able-bodied teenage boy, who wakes up with his memories wiped.
He is greeted by others like him; he is told that they have been placed there deliberately... in the middle of a maze.
It is Thomas' will to discover the truth that enables him to do what others like him thought was impossible-- to escape the maze.
In context of the speculative world of the Maze Runner book series, Thomas is unlike those around him in a sense that he understands that if there is a will, there is a way! Nothing is inescapable, despite how hopeless the situation may have felt within the maze... it is his mentality that allowed him achieve the impossible!
Because there is not really more to elaborate on (at least in the first installment of the Maze Runner book series), without spoiling EVERYTHING...
Linked to the side is one of my favorite kind of videos, movie topic explorations. In case you were more curious about the Flare, for I briefly go over it to avoid summarizing too much. Or honestly, if you do not want to read five books, watch the Maze Runner movies!
"Radioactive"
"Radioactive"
"I'm waking up to ash and dust
I wipe my brow and I sweat my rust
I'm breathing in the chemicals
I'm breaking in, shaping up, then checking out on the prison bus
This is it, the apocalypse"
"I raise my flags, don my clothes
It's a revolution, I suppose"
This song describes a speculative world, where skies are filled with "ash and dust" and chemicals are present in the air. It is implied the song is set in the time of an apocalypse, and amidst all the aforementioned chaos there is an uprising. The "singer" of the song leads the revolution...
The "singer" of the song has a clear intention; they criticize the state of the world in which they live in and are preaching for change. It would seem those in this speculative world have given up and allowed for their home to fall apart; it seems people have given up on keeping the air clean or being cautious over chemical usage.
However, the singer seems to be different. Because they are leading a revolution and preaching for "a new age," it is implied that they possess the will to fight for a life that is of better quality... and when there is a will, there is a way. In the middle of all this figurative and literal darkness (the depressive mood and smoggy sky), the singer rises up and reclaims their power. They describe themselves and those apart of their revolution as radioactive, shining bright and standing powerful in face of darkness.
The End (of Fall Quarter)
I'd like to take a moment now in my last digital archive entry this fall quarter, to reflect back on all the works of literature we have explored thus far.
Upon completing the sections above in this archive entry, I have come to realize all the books we have read thus far are considered to be speculative narratives. Reflecting back on the lectures of fall quarter, where we were prompted to recognize the reoccurring theme of worldbuilding, I have made the connection that speculative narratives as a genre and worldbuilding as a theme are heavily reliant on one another.
You cannot really have a speculative narrative, defined as a work which explores possible worlds, without fictional worldbuilding.
References
References
Informational
Parable of the Sower. By Octavia Butler, adapted by John Jennings, illustrated by Damian Duffy, Abrams Comicarts, 2020.
Oziewicz, Marek. "Speculative Fiction." Oxford Research Encyclopedia, 29 March 2017, https://www.oed.com/dictionary/will_v2?tl=true. Accessed 5 December 2023.
"Speculative Fiction." Oxford English Dictionary, July 2023, https://oxfordre.com/literature/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780190201098.001.0001/acrefore-9780190201098-e-78. Accessed 5 December 2023.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Directed by Francis Lawrence, performances by Tom Blythe, Rachel Zegler, Josh Andrés Rivera, Hunter Schafer, and Peter Dinklage, Lionsgate, 2023.
Dashner, James. The Maze Runner. Chicken House, 2010.
Imagine Dragons. “Radioactive.” Night Visions, Interscope Records, 2012. Spotify, https://open.spotify.com/track/4G8gkOterJn0Ywt6uhqbhp?si=80fb30dcc87342ef.
Photos
https://olivianarciso.com/International-Festival-of-Arts-Ideas
https://www.campfirewriting.com/learn/speculative-fiction
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10545296/
https://themockingjaysnest.com/stills-official-medias-gallery/
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