In Octavia Butler's "Parable of the Sower," the protagonist Lauren Olamina navigates a dystopian world fraught with socio-economic collapse, environmental disasters, and societal breakdown. Through her journey, she develops a philosophical and religious belief system called Earthseed with the core principle that "God is Change." This assignment invites students to engage deeply with Butler's narrative and the concept of Earthseed to explore alternative visions of what constitutes a Good Life in a world that is constantly changing and fraught with challenges. Objective: - To encourage students to critically examine traditional notions of a Good Life in the context of a dystopian society. - To foster creative thinking by redefining happiness, success, and community through the speculative lens of science fiction. - To explore ethical and philosophical questions in a fictional setting that resonates with contemporary issues. Instructions: 1. **Read and Reflect**: Begin by thoroughly reading "Parable of the Sower" by Octavia Butler. Pay close attention to the conditions of the society depicted in the novel, the challenges faced by the characters, and the philosophy of Earthseed as it develops throughout the story. 2. **Research and Contextualize**: Briefly research contemporary philosophical or religious definitions of the Good Life. This might include looking at Aristotelian ethics, the American Dream, hedonism, Buddhism, or other frameworks that define what it means to live well. 3. **Analyze**: Consider how these traditional concepts of the Good Life might be challenged or upheld in the context of the novel's dystopian setting. What elements are still relevant, and what elements become impractical or obsolete? 4. **Reimagine**: Using Earthseed's central tenet that "God is Change," propose a redefined concept of the Good Life that could be viable in the world of "Parable of the Sower." This should reflect both the harsh realities of the novel's setting and the adaptive, resilient spirit of Earthseed. 5. **Write**: Craft an essay from the perspective of a character living in the world of "Parable of the Sower." This character could be Lauren, someone from her community, or a new character you create. Your essay/project should address the following: - Describe the conditions of the world in which your character lives. - Explain how traditional concepts of the Good Life fail or succeed under these conditions. - Articulate your character's vision of a reimagined Good Life. How does Earthseed influence this vision? - Discuss what practical steps individuals or communities could take to achieve this Good Life in the context of the novel's world. - Reflect on the implications of this reimagined Good Life for our own society. 6. **Cite**: Include citations from "Parable of the Sower" and any other philosophical or other texts from the class or your own preference you reference to support your vision. Evaluation Criteria: - Depth of engagement with the novel's themes and the concept of Earthseed. - Originality and creativity in redefining the Good Life. - Ability to connect the reimagined Good Life to both the novel's context and to contemporary societal challenges. - Clarity, coherence, and organization of the writing or creative project. - Quality of research and engagement with concepts.